Yami Gautam: I became fearless post Uri and Bala

In May 2024, Yami Gautam and filmmaker Aditya Dhar welcomed their son, Vedavid. Two years later, as she reflects on motherhood and her journey in cinema, the actress says the experience has been transformative, but it hasn’t changed the way she approaches her work.“Motherhood hasn’t influenced my professional choices at all. I understand the importance of maintaining a balance between personal and professional life. But once you become a mother, that identity stays with you at all times. On set, I may be working as a professional, but I’m a mother every moment. I feel incredibly fortunate to have experienced it — it’s the most beautiful and selfless emotion one can feel,” she says Reflecting on her decade-long career, Yami describes resilience as the defining factor behind her growth. The actress, who was last seen in a cameo appearance in Dhurandhar 2, says there came a point when she stopped chasing conventional success and started prioritising stories that truly resonated with her.“It takes patience and a lot of resilience. I’m also fortunate to have received certain opportunities at a time when I was actively looking for them. It’s about identifying that one film and character that truly fits you. But for that, you need to stay on, hold your ground, and learn to say no to work you don’t believe in. There may have been projects you took up despite your doubts, but you have to keep moving forward. You need to keep working and remain visible. Then comes a point in life when you become fearless. For me, that happened around 2018 — around Bala and Uri. That’s when I decided I would only take up roles if the characters truly spoke to me,” Yami elaborates.Yami also credits her instincts for guiding her through difficult decisions in both life and work.“I don’t overanalyse and overthink. If I don’t believe in something, I know it right away. My first instinct is very important. I believe a lot in my gut feeling,” she shares.