In the glitzy world of Bollywood, where fame and stardom are coveted, several iconic actresses have made the bold choice to step away from the spotlight after tying the knot. Whether at the height of their careers or after leaving an indelible mark on Indian cinema, these women priorities their personal lives often choosing the dedicate themselves to family and another pursuit.
Actresses like Nargis and Asin Thottumkal make decisions to leave behind a flourishing career not just a choice but a statement- one that challenges the statement that fame and family cannot coexist. With grace and determination, this actress bid adieu to the silver screen and left behind legacies that continue to inspire even as they embraced new chapters of their lives beyond the world of cinema.
Twinkle Khanna
Twinkle Khanna, daughter of the Bollywood legends Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia, enjoyed her successful career in the 1990s with notable Bollywood movies like “Barsaat” and “Baadshah”. However, after marrying Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar in 2001 she decided to step away from the limelight and focus on her family. Twinkle turns back from being an actress to pursuing her passion for writing and interior design. Now she has become a best-selling author with witty and insightful books like “Mrs Funnybones” and “The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad.”. Twinkle Khanna is known more for her literary accomplishments and as a successful entrepreneur than an actress. The career providing that life beyond Bollywood can be equally fulfilling.
In an homage to Master Raju, I can finally call myself Master Twinkle 🙂 @GoldsmithsUoL pic.twitter.com/1J0IrQ2cbA
— Twinkle Khanna (@mrsfunnybones) January 16, 2024Saira Banu
Saira Banu, One of Bollywood’s most iconic actresses from the 1960s and 70s charmed the audience with her performance and movies such as “Padosan” and “Junglee”. She was known for her beauty, charm elegance and impeccable acting skills which made her a beloved star in the golden era of Indian cinema. However marrying the legendary actor of Dilip Kumar in 1966, Saira gradually stepped away from the limelight. Her personal life shifted from her career and health. Although she made few appearances in the film post-marriage, her last significant role was in the 1980s. Saira Banu’s graceful exit from the Bollywood movies to prioritise her family has been admired and she remains a revered figure in Indian cinema history.
Namrata Shirodkar
Namrata Shirodhkar, a former Miss India and a popular Bollywood actress participated in notable films such as “Vaastav and Pukar. Known for their elegant presence in acting talent and enjoys her career in the late 90s and early 2000s. However, after marrying the South Indian superstar Mahesh Babu in 2005 Namrata decided to leave the film industry to focus on her family life.
Namrata Shirodhkar, embraced her role as a supportive wife and mother prioritizing her personal life over her career. Namrata has been away from the career of acting and dedicating her life towards her family, and children and managing her husband’s career. Despite their exit from films she continued to be admired for her beauty grace and balanced approach to life.
Asin Thottumkal
Asin Thottumkal is a renowned actress who made her remark as a Bollywood actress and also in South Indian movies and became a household name after her performance in the “Ghajini” opposite Aamir Khan. It creates a huge Bollywood box office collection. She is known for her beauty and talent she delivered her hit films like “Ready” and “London Dreams”.
However, in 2016, Asin chose to step away from the glamour of Bollywood and chose to focus on her married life. Asin married to the co-founder of Micromax. She embraced her new life away from the glamour of Bollywood and chose to focus on her family. Since then Asin has remained out of the public eye dedicating her time to her husband and daughter Arin. Her decision to prioritize her family over her career was a personal choice and while she is missed on the big screen, Asin continues to be admired for her grace and accomplishments.
Neetu Singh
Neetu Singh, one of Bollywood’s most adored actresses of the 1970s captivated the audience with her roles in the classics like “Kabhi Kabhi,” “Amar Akbar Anthony,” and “Yaarana”. Starting her career as a child actor she quickly rose to fame with her charming on-screen presence and versatility. In 1980, Neetu married the legendary actor Rishi Kapoor and decided to leave the film industry to devote herself to family life.
For nearly 30 years, she stayed away from the limelight and focused on raising her children Ridhima and Ranbir Kapoor. However, Neeta made much-anticipated back in the films in the 2010s with the like “Love Aaj Kal” and “Do Dooni Chaar.” Despite her absence from the big screen, Neetu’s contribution to Bollywood remains iconic, and her return has been warmly welcomes by the fans.
Meenakshi Seshadri
Meenakshi Seshadri, a versatile actress and classical dancer was one of the biggest stars in Bollywood during the 1980s and 90s known for her powerful performance in films like “Damini,” “Hero,” and “Ghayal,”. Meenakshi was known for her beauty, grace and acting. However, at the peak of her career, Meenakshi chose to step away from her Bollywood movies and marry Harish Mysore an investment banker, in 1995. She stalled in the United States and embraced her role as a wife and mother. These Meenakshi Seshadri stayed away from the limelight and dedicated her role as a mother and wide and running a dance school in Texas.
Nargis
Nargis is one of the most iconic actresses in the history of Indian cinema known for her membered and legendary performances in films like “Mother India,” “Awara,” and “Barsaat.” Nargis dominated Bollywood with her talent and grass in the time of 1950s. However, after marrying actor Sunil Dutt in 1958 Nargis chose to step away from the acting career to focus on her family. The love steady begins when Sunil Dutt historically saved Nargis from the fire on the set of “Mother India”. Together they raised their three children including actor Sanjay Dutt. Nargis devoted herself to social causes especially in the fight against cancer before passing away in 1981.
Babita
Babita, a popular actress of the 1960s and early 70s starred in films like “Farz,” “Haseena Maan Jayegi,” and “Kismat”. Known for her charm and glamorous roles. Bait made a significant impact on Bollywood during her brief career. However, after marrying the actor Randhir Kapoor in 1971, she chose to retire from films to focus on her family life. Despite leaving the limelight, Babita played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of her daughters, Karisma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan, who went on to become a successful actress in Bollywood and make huge Bollywood box office collections with their movies.
Sridevi
Sridevi, the first female superstar of Indian cinema enchanted audience audience with versatile performances in different films like “Chandni,” “Lamhe,” and “Mr.India.” After decades of ruling Bollywood, Sridevi took a break from her acting career when she married producer Boney Kapoor in 1996. She chose to focus on her family raising her daughters Janhvi and Khushi Kapoor. Though she stepped away from the Bollywood and big screen her legacy continued to inspire millions. However 15 years after Sridevi made a stellar comeback with “English Vinglish” in 2012 reflecting her unmatched talent once again.
FAQ
1. Why did many Bollywood actresses choose to leave the industry after marriage?
Several iconic actresses have made the bold choice to step away from the spotlight after tying the knot. Whether at the height of their careers or after leaving an indelible mark on Indian cinema, these women priorities their personal lives often choosing the dedicate themselves to family and another pursuit.
2. What were some of the common reasons for these actresses to leave the industry?
Actresses like Nargis and Asin Thottumkal make decisions to leave behind a flourishing career not just a choice but a statement- one that challenges the statement that fame and family cannot coexist.
3. What did Twinkle Khanna do after leaving the film industry?
Twinkle turns back from being an actress to pursuing her passion for writing and interior design. Now she has become a best-selling author with witty and insightful books like “Mrs Funnybones” and “The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad.”.
4. Why did Saira Banu step away from acting?
Marrying the legendary actor of Dilip Kumar in 1966, Saira gradually stepped away from the limelight.
5. What is Namrata Shirodkar doing now?
Namrata has been away from the career of acting and dedicating her life towards her family, and children and managing her husband’s career.
6. Did Asin Thottumkal make a comeback to the industry after her marriage?
No, she embraced her new life away from the glamour of Bollywood and chose to focus on her family. Since then Asin has remained out of the public eye dedicating her time to her husband and daughter Arin.
7. What was Neetu Singh’s reason for leaving the industry?
In 1980, Neetu married the legendary actor Rishi Kapoor and decided to leave the film industry to devote herself to family life.
8. Why did Meenakshi Seshadri leave Bollywood at the peak of her career?
Meenakshi chose to step away from her Bollywood movies and marry Harish Mysore an investment banker, in 1995. She stalled in the United States and embraced her role as a wife and mother.
9. What was Nargis’s contribution to society after her acting career?
Nargis devoted herself to social causes especially in the fight against cancer before passing away in 1981.
10. Did Babita Kapoor have any influence on her daughters’ careers?
Despite leaving the limelight, Babita played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of her daughters, Karisma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan, who went on to become a successful actress in Bollywood and make huge Bollywood box office collections with their movies.
