Motherhood Transformed from Responsibility into Celebration
Actor Manoshi Sengupta, mother to eight-year-old daughter Adriya and one-year-old son Adhyay, reflects on how motherhood slowly transformed from a responsibility into a celebration. From preserving her daughter’s first handmade Mother’s Day card to balancing long television shoots with the support of her family, the actor opens up about single motherhood, discipline, everyday sacrifices, and the quiet joys that now define her world.
“We were all twinning for the Mother’s Day shoot — me, Adriya, and Adhyay in our favorite combination of white shirts paired with denims. Honestly, this is not just for the photo shoot; we consciously end up twinning quite often because all three of us love dressing alike. It feels simple, happy, and completely us as a family,” says Manoshi.
Motherhood Became Real Through a Handmade Card
“For me, Mother’s Day was never a concept while growing up. I think my mother didn’t even know what Mother’s Day meant. My first real Mother’s Day memory came when my daughter started going to school. She made a handmade card for me after learning her ABCs, writing little things in her innocent way. That became my very first Mother’s Day gift, and I have preserved it with care. Since then, the day slowly became an occasion in our home. Every year my daughter plans something — handmade cards, collecting money from everyone at home to buy little gifts for me — and it all feels extremely sweet and genuine. My son is still very young, but slowly he too is becoming part of these celebrations. Interestingly, I still don’t celebrate Mother’s Day with my mother because she doesn’t really understand the idea. I simply call her and tell her it’s Mother’s Day, and she asks me what that even means.”
My World Revolves Around My Children
“My life is completely centered around my children. On holidays they don’t let me go anywhere. If I have a shoot, my daughter especially protests a lot, and I have to patiently explain things to her before leaving for work. I hardly even get time to watch films at theaters anymore because my son is too young and my daughter doesn’t enjoy cinema halls yet. So my happiest moments are often the simplest ones — noisy holidays at home, shared meals, playing games, or watching cartoons. For me, those simple emotions are what truly define motherhood.”
I Never Want to Play the Victim Card as a Single Mother
“As a single mother, people often ask me how difficult it is to manage everything. But I always say very clearly that I never want to play the victim card by claiming I do everything alone. That simply isn’t true. I could never have managed without my family. My siblings and especially my mother have supported me immensely throughout this journey. Television work comes with long hours and schedules, and without their support I could never have balanced work and motherhood.”
Motherhood Changed the Way I Understand My Mother
“As a mother, I am very strict — especially with my daughter. She’s growing up and I want her to understand discipline, boundaries, and responsibility. I don’t believe in unnecessarily spoiling children, though of course I give them everything they need. Interestingly, after my son was born, both my mother and daughter started saying that I have become more lenient — I think they are right. I’ve realized I’m emotionally softer with my son. At the same time, I strongly believe boys should be raised with discipline and sensitivity, and a mother plays a huge role in shaping that emotional sensitivity.”
“Motherhood has also changed the way I see my own mother. Earlier, I never understood the tiny sacrifices mothers make every single day. Now, even if I get my favorite fruit or receive a gift, my first instinct is never to keep it for myself. I immediately think of taking it home for my children and sharing it with them. That is when I truly began understanding my mother better.”
Adriya adds: “Mother’s Day is fun because on that day, me and my brother are allowed to play for long hours, eat pizzas, and watch cartoons. Also, my mother doesn’t go for her shoot on this special day, and that is our greatest gift.”
