Deepika Padukone. (DC)

Deepika Padukone could return to filming just 37 days after childbirth. She and Shah Rukh Khan are reportedly set to shoot a grand song for King in Mumbai from Oct 26, choreographed by Vaibhavi Merchant.

While fans await their reunion, the reported timeline raises a bigger question: how soon is too soon? Behind the glamour are questions of physical recovery, childcare and workplace support. An early return may work for some mothers, but it should never become a benchmark for others. Every postpartum journey is different; the return should be on the mother’s terms.

Six weeks postpartum

Supermodel Barbara Palvin walked the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on October 18, around six weeks after welcoming daughter Sylvie with husband Dylan Sprouse. While her runway appearance made headlines, Palvin also acknowledged the privilege of being able to choose when to return to work, drawing attention to the challenges faced by mothers without paid maternity leave.

Gradual return to runway

Model Elsa Hosk returned to the Victoria’s Secret runway around 12 weeks after welcoming her second daughter, Flora Blue. According to her trainer, Ashley Eckhoff, Hosk began preparing for the show around four weeks postpartum after receiving clearance from a pelvic floor physical therapist. Her experience reinforced that postpartum fitness is not about rushing back, but about allowing the body time to recover with the right support.

Returning to films on her own terms

Alia Bhatt returned to work just a few weeks after welcoming daughter Raha in November 2022, shooting the song Tum Kya Mile for Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani in Kashmir. She took Raha along, with her mother and sister helping with childcare while choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant planned the shoot around her nursing schedule. Alia described the experience as physically and emotionally demanding, while expressing gratitude for the understanding and support she received from the team.

No one-size-fits-all timeline

There is no fixed timeline for returning to work after childbirth. Recovery, feeding, childcare, finances and workplace flexibility all matter. Celebrity comebacks make headlines, but the realities often remain unseen. An early return should be a choice, not a measure of how well a mother is coping. Every woman deserves the support and freedom to return on her own terms.

Meanwhile Working through pregnancy

Meanwhile, Kiara Advani continued shooting for Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups during pregnancy, before welcoming daughter Saraayah in July 2025, and returned to a film set around five months after childbirth. Anne Hathaway continued her professional commitments during her third pregnancy, including the promotional tour for The Devil Wears Prada 2. The actor cautioned against overpraising her for working during pregnancy, highlighting the support she had and the unequal circumstances faced by other working women. Samantha Ruth Prabhu continued filming Maa Inti Bangaaram after discovering she was pregnant, with the team made adjustments to accommodate her. Parineeti Chopra continued shooting her web series Shaque: Trust No One while pregnant, with the production reportedly modifying arrangements to make her commute and working conditions more comfortable.

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