Actresses who took a break from work to focus on family and then came back even stronger

Marriage and motherhood were once seen as the end of a heroine's career in Bollywood. However, these leading ladies shattered that myth. They stepped away from the limelight to focus on their families.

When they returned, they did so with even more grace and power. They showed that talent doesn't fade with time; it only matures. Here are the Bollywood stars who took a hiatus and returned to rule the screen for a second innings.

Kajol

Kajol was at the peak of her career with ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’ (2001) before she decided to prioritize her personal life. She married actor Ajay Devgn in 1999 and took a break after the birth of her daughter, Nysa, in 2003.

She made a grand return with Kunal Kohli’s ‘Fanaa’ (2006) opposite Aamir Khan. Playing Zooni, a blind Kashmiri girl who falls in love with a terrorist, she showed that she could still command the screen and win awards effortlessly after a long gap.

Rani Mukerji

Rani Mukerji delivered a hit with ‘Mardaani’ (2014) right before she took time off. She married filmmaker Aditya Chopra in 2014 and stepped away for 4 years to focus on her daughter, Adira, born in 2015.

She returned with a film that relied entirely on her shoulders: Siddharth P. Malhotra’s ‘Hichki’ (2018). Playing Naina Mathur, a teacher with Tourette syndrome, she nailed the emotional depth perfectly. The film was a massive hit, proving the audience was still eager to watch the "Queen of Hearts.

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Sridevi

The legendary late Sridevi left the industry on a high note after the release of ‘Judaai’ (1997). She married producer Boney Kapoor in 1996 and took a massive 15-year break to raise her daughters, Janhvi (born 1997) and Khushi (born 2000).

She returned to reclaim her throne with Gauri Shinde’s ‘English Vinglish’ (2012). Playing Shashi, a quiet housewife finding her self-worth, she delivered a performance so nuanced that it remains one of the most successful comebacks in Indian cinema history.

Madhuri Dixit

The "Dhak Dhak" girl moved to the US after her blockbuster ‘Devdas’ (2002) to live a quiet life. She married Dr. Shriram Nene in 1999 and focused on raising her sons, Arin (born 2003) and Ryan (born 2005).

After a 5-year hiatus, she returned to Bollywood with Anil Mehta’s ‘Aaja Nachle’ (2007). She played Dia, a choreographer trying to save her old dance theater. While the movie had mixed reviews, seeing Madhuri dance on screen again was a celebration of her enduring charisma.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was seen in ‘Guzaarish’ (2010) before taking a maternity break. She married actor Abhishek Bachchan in 2007 and stepped away for 5 years after the birth of her daughter, Aaradhya, in 2011.

She chose a gritty thriller for her return: Sanjay Gupta’s ‘Jazbaa’ (2015). Playing Anuradha Verma, a lawyer forced to defend a criminal to save her child, she traded her soft romantic image for a tough avatar.

She showed the industry that she was ready for serious, performance-oriented roles.

Karisma Kapoor

Karisma Kapoor dominated the 90s but decided to step back after her film ‘Baaz: A Bird in Danger’ (2003). She married businessman Sunjay Kapur in 2003 and focused entirely on raising her children, Samaira (born 2005) and Kiaan (born 2010).

After a long gap of nearly 9 years, she made her acting comeback with Vikram Bhatt’s ‘Dangerous Ishhq’ (2012). She played Sanjana, a supermodel who explores her past lives to save her husband.

Though the film had mixed reviews, Karisma proved her versatility by playing four different characters across eras.

Neetu Kapoor

Neetu Kapoor initially retired at 21 to focus on her family. She made brief appearances in films like ‘Love Aaj Kal’, ‘Do Dooni Chaar’, and ‘Besharam’.

However, she could not return to work fully due to Rishi Kapoor’s long battle with cancer. After his passing, she returned to films for good with Raj Mehta’s ‘JugJugg Jeeyo’ (2022). She played Geeta, a resilient mother, and proved that her charm on screen is timeless.

Raveena Tandon

Raveena Tandon had sporadic releases but took a distinct hiatus from lead roles after her marriage to distributor Anil Thadani in 2004. She focused on raising her children, Rasha (born 2005) and Ranbirvardhan (born 2008). While she made television appearances, her strong return to acting in a lead role came with Ashtar Sayed's ‘Maatr’ (2017). She portrayed Vidya Chauhan, a mother looking for justice after a brutal assault.

Her intense performance received critical praise. It also marked a strong start to her second career.