‘She is lying': What Smriti Irani's miscarriage experience during Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi shoot reveals about work culture and the need for compassion

Indian Express

4 days ago

Smriti Irani recently revisited one of the most painful and challenging moments of her life: working through a miscarriage while shooting for the hit daily soap Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.
She recalled continuing to work on set despite dealing with physical pain and emotional trauma. 'My son was three days old when I came back to the set of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Why? Because everyone wanted to watch a new episode daily at 10:30 pm,' she shared on Raj Shamani's podcast.
The actor and politician also revealed the distress of being doubted at such a vulnerable time. 'Somebody in the production went and told Ekta, 'We're ready to shoot. But Smriti Irani isn't available. She is lying. Nothing has actually happened to her.' So I had to go back with my hospital reports to prove it actually happened,' she said.
Actor Apara Mehta, who played Smriti's on-screen mother-in-law, corroborated how demanding the work culture was during those years. 'I know Smriti spoke about the miscarriage… I know it for a fact ki use aana bhi pada hoga and karna bhi pada hoga,' she told Hindustan Times, recalling how actors would often be made to shoot from home even while sick, with makeshift backdrops and makeup.
Psychologist Anjali Gursahaney tells indianexpress.com, 'After a miscarriage, a woman's body undergoes several intense physical changes. These can include cramping, heavy bleeding, hormonal fluctuations, fatigue, and in some cases, medical interventions like a dilation and curettage (D&C). The uterus needs time to contract and return to its pre-pregnancy state, while the hormonal system gradually resets, which can also affect mood, appetite, and energy levels.'
Rest is critical during this time, not just for physical recovery, she says, but also because pushing through the pain or fatigue can worsen the trauma, delay healing, and lead to long-term complications. Ignoring these needs can be damaging both physically and psychologically.
According to Gursahaney, emotional support after a miscarriage should be 'rooted in empathy, validation, and flexibility.' The experience often involves deep grief, shame, or confusion—especially if the loss was not publicly acknowledged.
If someone has to return to work soon after, they must be met with understanding rather than expectation. 'Ideally, they should have access to mental health resources like counselling, as well as compassionate communication from colleagues and supervisors. Just being believed, respected, and not asked to justify or 'perform' their pain can go a long way in easing emotional distress during such a vulnerable time,' notes the expert.
Workplaces should implement compassionate leave policies specifically for pregnancy loss, separate from generic sick leave. These policies must acknowledge both the physical and emotional toll of miscarriage, without requiring invasive proof.
'Training managers to respond with empathy and confidentiality, and creating space for women to share only what they are comfortable with, can help foster trust. Open conversations about reproductive health and trauma-informed practices can slowly dismantle the silence and stigma that often forces women to either hide their loss or justify it. The goal should be to create a culture where healing is prioritized over productivity,' stresses Gursahaney.