Debina Bonnerjee Recalls How Farah Khan's IVF Journey Gave Her Hope: 'She Spoke About It So Openly'

Debina Bonnerjee recalled how seeing Farah Khan's successful IVF journey helped her stay hopeful when she was unsure if she would ever become a mother.

Actress Debina Bonnerjee recently recalled her struggle with infertility and how filmmaker Farah Khan's IVF journey inspired her during a difficult phase in her life. Debina, who has two daughters with husband Gurmeet Choudhary, recalled how Farah's decision to speak openly about becoming a mother at 43 gave her hope when she was unsure about her own chances of conceiving.

How Farah Khan's IVF Journey Inspired Debina Bonnerjee

In a conversation with Free Press Journal, Debina recalled her infertility struggles, and said there was a time when she could not tell whether things would eventually work out for her. During that phase, Farah's story became a huge source of encouragement for her.

Farah welcomed triplets with husband Shirish Kunder in 2008, at the age of 43, through IVF. She has been open about her fertility journey, including the challenges she faced before becoming a mother.

Debina said that knowing about Farah's experience helped her look at motherhood with renewed hope. "One conversation that is gradually gaining momentum is motherhood after 40. People have said that we should not romanticise pregnancies after 40 because others might think it is the right thing to do and make their own decisions accordingly. But I would say that when I was dealing with infertility, I couldn't understand whether there would ever be a positive outcome for me. At that time, the only example we had was Farah Ma'am," said Debina.

"She spoke about her journey so openly. When you have a successful example in front of you, it gives you hope. You start thinking, 'If that has happened, it can happen to me too. I have chances as well.' Otherwise, you begin to feel that your chances are over," she said.

Debina On The Growing Conversation Around Motherhood After 40

Debina pointed out that many women prioritise their careers and other responsibilities before planning a family. Sometimes, by the time they decide they are ready for motherhood, they may find themselves dealing with concerns about fertility.

She felt that hearing about other women's experiences can help them understand that they are not alone and give them hope during an uncertain phase.

"Women who are focused on their careers often keep pushing their pregnancies a little later, sometimes until they feel there is no time left. But when you realise that it is not just one or two women, but several women who have experienced pregnancies after 40, you begin to feel that it could be possible for you too," she said.