Chitrangada Satarupa Opens Up About Motherhood, Career Struggles and Why She Chose Her Mother’s Name

Actor Chitrangada Satarupa is embracing a deeply reflective phase in both her personal and professional life. From motherhood and acting to identity and resilience, the actor recently shared candid insights into her journey, revealing how life experiences have transformed her perspective over the years.

Speaking about motherhood, Chitrangada admitted that becoming a parent changed her emotionally in ways she never expected. She shared that despite having support at home, she prefers handling many responsibilities herself, including caring for her child personally.

The actor also spoke about her latest project, Main Actor Nahin Hoon, where she stars opposite Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Chitrangada revealed that she auditioned for the role because she strongly wanted to collaborate with the acclaimed actor and was immediately drawn to the layered screenplay.

According to her, the film offered a rare kind of conversational drama with emotionally rich characters and meaningful performances. She described her role as completely different from her real-life personality, which made the experience both challenging and creatively exciting.

Recalling her first interaction with Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Chitrangada shared that she initially met him virtually during filming before eventually interacting in person. She praised him for being collaborative, spontaneous, and supportive during scenes, comparing the acting process with him to an energetic game of tennis where improvisation constantly evolved.

The actor also reflected on the influence of filmmakers and performers such as Manav Kaul, Kalki Koechlin, and Makarand Deshpande in shaping her understanding of acting and performance.

One of the most personal moments of the conversation came when Chitrangada explained why she chose to adopt her mother’s name. Born to filmmaker Satarupa Sanyal and Utpalendu Chakrabarty, she said societal norms initially made her use her father’s surname. However, later in life, she realized she wanted her identity to reflect the person who had done the most for her emotionally and personally — her mother.

She revealed that discussions with her husband about surnames and identity inspired her decision, eventually leading to the name “Chitrangada Satarupa.”

The actor also spoke warmly about her relationship with sister Ritabhari Chakraborty, saying both siblings value each other’s opinions while respecting differences in perspective.

Reflecting on her acting journey, Chitrangada acknowledged that projects like Tikli & Laxmi Bomb significantly changed her career, though the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted many professional opportunities afterward.

She admitted that the industry often requires patience, resilience, and emotional endurance, especially when projects take years to release or find streaming platforms.

Today, Chitrangada says the unpredictability of acting and life has made her more grounded, realistic, and emotionally stronger, helping her approach success and disappointment with greater balance.