"I had always wanted to be a mother."
Surrogacy, a method where a woman carries and delivers a child for another person or couple, has become an increasingly popular option for many aspiring parents.
In Bollywood, numerous stars have turned to surrogacy to grow their families, often due to medical reasons, lifestyle choices, or the desire to avoid the physical demands of pregnancy.
Surrogacy offers hope to those facing infertility issues, same-sex couples, and individuals opting to become single parents.
For celebrities, the choice of surrogacy is often influenced by their demanding careers and public lives, allowing them to balance parenthood without taking a break from their professional commitments.
The process of surrogacy involves two main types: traditional and gestational.
In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate mother uses her egg, making her the biological mother of the child.
In contrast, gestational surrogacy involves the implantation of an embryo created via in vitro fertilisation (IVF), where the surrogate has no genetic link to the child.
The latter is more commonly chosen due to fewer legal and emotional complexities.
The ethics and controversies surrounding surrogacy, especially among celebrities, are multifaceted.
Critics argue that it commodifies women’s bodies and exploits those in financially vulnerable positions, particularly in countries with less regulation.
However, proponents highlight the altruistic aspect, where surrogacy can be a fulfilling act of generosity.
Ethical surrogacy practices ensure fair compensation and healthcare for surrogates, aiming to protect their rights and well-being.
Priyanka Chopra & Nick Jonas
The global icon Priyanka Chopra and her Disney actor husband Nick Jonas made headlines when they announced the arrival of their first child via surrogacy.
The couple shared their joyous news through an Instagram post, stating: “We are overjoyed to confirm that we have welcomed a baby via surrogate.”
This announcement was met with an outpouring of love and support from fans worldwide.
The couple’s baby arrived 12 weeks ahead of the expected delivery date, necessitating extra medical care but also bringing the family immense happiness sooner than anticipated.
Chopra and Jonas chose surrogacy due to their hectic work schedules, which posed significant challenges to their family planning efforts.
Preity Zinta & Gene Goodenough
Bollywood’s dimpled beauty, Preity Zinta, joined the growing list of celebrities who have embraced surrogacy in November 2021.
The actress joyfully announced the arrival of her twin babies, Jai and Gia, via an Instagram post.
The news was met with an outpouring of congratulations from fans and fellow celebrities alike, who celebrated this new chapter in her life.
Preity Zinta and her husband, Gene Goodenough, have chosen to keep the specifics surrounding the birth of their twins private, opting not to share further details or photos.
This decision underscores their desire to maintain a level of privacy for their family amid the public nature of their lives.
Shilpa Shetty & Raj Kundra
Shilpa Shetty and her husband Raj Kundra joyfully welcomed their second child, Samisha, through surrogacy in 2020.
This happy news added a new dimension to their family, already blessed with their son Viaan.
In a candid interview, Shilpa shared the emotional journey leading to this moment, revealing her deep desire for Viaan to have a sibling.
Shilpa disclosed that she faced significant challenges in expanding her family due to an autoimmune condition called Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APLA).
This condition, which increases the risk of blood clots, had caused her to suffer multiple miscarriages.
Sunny Leone & Daniel Weber
Back in 2018, Sunny Leone and her husband Daniel Weber expanded their family by welcoming twin boys, Noah and Asher, via surrogacy.
This joyous event came just a year after the couple had adopted their daughter, Nisha, solidifying their status as proud parents of three beautiful children.
Sunny and Daniel’s journey to parenthood has been one of diverse paths and heartfelt decisions.
In 2017, they adopted Nisha from an orphanage in Latur, Maharashtra, an act of love that won them widespread admiration.
Sunny has often spoken about the profound impact Nisha has had on their lives, expressing that the adoption process was a deeply fulfilling experience.
Shah Rukh Khan & Gauri Khan
The power couple Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan expanded their family in 2013 by welcoming their third child, Abram, through surrogacy.
This decision brought immense joy to the Khan household, adding a new dynamic to their family, which already included their two older children, Aryan and Suhana.
Shah Rukh and Gauri’s choice to use surrogacy was met with widespread attention and admiration.
As one of Bollywood’s most iconic couples, their openness about their surrogacy journey helped bring awareness and acceptance to this path to parenthood.
In interviews, Shah Rukh has spoken about the happiness Abram has brought into their lives, describing him as a blessing and a source of endless joy.
Karan Johar
Karan Johar is a prominent name among Indian celebrities who have embraced surrogacy to become parents.
The celebrated filmmaker and producer welcomed his twins, Yash and Roohi, via surrogacy in 2017, stepping into the role of a single parent with immense pride and joy.
Karan’s decision to have children through surrogacy was both a personal milestone and a significant moment for many who look up to him.
As a single parent in the limelight, Karan’s journey has been inspirational, showcasing the evolving dynamics of modern parenthood.
He named his son Yash after his late father, Yash Johar, and his daughter Roohi, a rearrangement of his mother’s name, Hiroo, underscoring the deep familial bonds that guide his life.
Ekta Kapoor
Filmmaker Ekta Kapoor, a trailblazer in the Indian television and film industry, embraced motherhood as a single parent, welcoming her baby boy, Ravie, through surrogacy.
Her journey to parenthood is a remarkable story of foresight, resilience, and deep maternal desire.
In a candid interview, Ekta shared insights into her decision to become a mother via surrogacy, revealing that she had taken proactive steps years earlier by freezing her eggs.
This foresight allowed her to have the flexibility to pursue motherhood when the time felt right.
“I had always wanted to be a mother,” Ekta confessed.
“Freezing my eggs gave me the freedom to ensure that I could have a child when I was ready, both personally and professionally.”
Shreyas Talpade & Deepti
After 14 years of marriage, Shreyas Talpade and his wife Deepti experienced the joy of parenthood, welcoming their first child, a baby girl, through surrogacy in 2019.
This long-awaited moment brought immense happiness and fulfilment to the couple, who had been eagerly anticipating this new chapter in their lives.
The decision to pursue surrogacy came after years of trying to conceive naturally.
Shreyas and Deepti’s journey to parenthood was filled with challenges, but their unwavering determination and love for each other kept their dream alive.
The couple’s openness about their path to having a child has been both inspiring and comforting to many who face similar struggles.
Sohail Khan & Seema Sajdeh
Ten years after the birth of their first child, Nirvana, Sohail Khan and Seema Sajdeh joyfully welcomed their second child, Yohan, into their family through surrogacy.
This long-awaited addition brought a new wave of happiness and completeness to their household, solidifying their bond as a family.
Sohail and Seema’s decision to expand their family through surrogacy was deeply personal and rooted in their shared desire to have another child.
After a decade of nurturing their family and watching Nirvana grow, they felt ready to embrace parenthood once again and give their daughter a sibling to share life’s adventures with.
The couple’s openness about their surrogacy journey has been met with admiration and support.
Farah Khan & Shirish Kunder
At the age of 43, filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan embraced motherhood, welcoming triplets with her husband Shirish Kunder in 2008 through surrogacy.
This joyful moment marked the beginning of a new chapter in Farah and Shirish’s lives, filled with love, laughter, and the beautiful chaos of raising three children.
Farah’s decision to pursue surrogacy at an age when many might consider parenthood a challenge was met with admiration and support.
She defied societal norms and expectations, choosing to follow her heart’s desire to become a mother, regardless of age or conventional timelines.
The arrival of their triplets, named Anya, Diva, and Czar, brought immeasurable joy and fulfilment to Farah and Shirish.
Surrogacy remains a complex and often contentious topic, with Bollywood stars contributing to its visibility and normalisation.
While the decision to use a surrogate can stem from various reasons, it invariably sparks debates on ethical, legal, and social grounds.
The stories of Bollywood celebrities who have chosen surrogacy shed light on both the challenges and triumphs associated with this path to parenthood.
Celebrities such as Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar, and Ekta Kapoor have openly shared their surrogacy journeys, providing insights into the personal and logistical intricacies involved.
Their openness has helped destigmatise surrogacy, offering encouragement to others facing similar fertility challenges.