Exclusive: Ankita Sehgal on Jamnapaar Season 2, Lessons from Aamir Khan and Life After Motherhood

For Ankita Sehgal, stepping back onto the set of Jamnapaar Season 2 wasn't just about getting back to work, it was about reclaiming a part of herself. With a four-month-old at home, and a creative fire that refused to dim, her return was equal parts nerve-wracking and necessary.

In this conversation, Ankita gets real about the messy, beautiful chaos of it all, the trolls who came for her postpartum appearance, the female friends who held her up when she was breaking, and the quiet moments of poetry that still feel like home. She also shares what it was like working with Aamir Khan on Sitaare Zameen Par, and the advice that's keeping her grounded through motherhood: "Work now, because one day your child will ask why you stopped."

Here are the edited excerpts from our exclusive conversation.

What was the most exciting (or challenging) part of returning to your role in Jamnapaar Season 2?

I think the most exciting part of returning to Jamnapaar Season 2 was that I was getting back to work and getting my life back on track. I was nervous too because I was leaving my four-month-old baby at home. It was scary, with so many different feelings, to get back to work on set again.

What made it even more interesting was that my role in this season actually runs quite parallel to my real life right now. We were all very excited, the producers, the writers, everyone, especially because the track my character has in Jamnapaar Season 2 is completely opposite to what my present life looks like.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by अंकिता (@sahigal.ankita)

You've been a writer, actor, and creator — when you look back, what has been the most surprising turn in your journey?

Actually, I think I have always wanted to be a writer, but when I became a creator, writing is something that still surprises me. I mean, I was actually preparing for IAS.

When I was in college, I had taken Geography Honors, but due to some reason, my IAS coaching sir told me, “No, you do something else for three or four years and then come back after graduation, because right now you are just cracking the questions. Later, you will get bored.”

I was really disheartened. I went to my father and said that everyone has gone to such good places, and I am still here in Jalandhar. So, papa said, “Come on, I will get you admitted to Applied Arts in APJ.”

So, I took admission there, and honestly, I didn't even know how to draw an apple. There I was, making sheets, designing hoardings, learning software, editing, designing campaigns, and doing advertising. I kept thinking, how did I end up here? I wanted to be a writer.

But little did I know that life would take such a turn that my writing, campaign planning, the ads we made, editing, and coloring, all of it would one day come together.

So yes, they say your education never goes to waste, and for me, it is still a big surprise.

You've opened up about the harsh criticism you faced post-pregnancy. How did you find strength in that moment, and what would you say to other women going through the same?

I actually did not find strength in that moment. I was really broken, and a big part of me kept thinking, how can other women bring down someone who is going through something?

Before I became a mother, I did not value friendships, especially female friendships. I always had more male friends. But the kind of support, love, and empathy I received from my female friends who were pregnant or already had kids really shook me to the core. I just want to be as kind as I can to other women.

I also feel that women who are still being unkind to other women need a lot of forgiveness and a lot of love. I think I was very weak at that moment, and we all have our own vulnerable points. Usually, when someone comments about my looks or appearance, it doesn't affect me much. It is not the first time someone has pointed that out, but after having a child, your mental health really takes a hit.

When I look in the mirror now, I sometimes feel I do not look or feel the same. Every day is new, and every day I learn to accept myself a little more. This is the new change, right?

I would just tell every woman to be kind to other women, to be kind to yourself, and to love yourself. The moment you realise you need to forgive yourself, love yourself, and pamper yourself, you start respecting other women too.

Coming from a strong writing and content background, what's the one thing acting taught you that surprised you?

I think the biggest thing that took me by surprise was that I used to feel acting is something natural, that one take can be different from another and the next take can be different too. But I have seen seasoned actors who in every retake deliver the same thing or even get better each time.

For me, if I give ten takes, maybe two will turn out well. But for them, all ten will have perfect variations. That is when I realised how acting truly is. It is like when I write, I can erase and write again, but in acting, you have to feel the same thing every single time.

I was so inspired, and I was in complete awe of all my co-actors and the seasoned performers I got to work with. I had never imagined that acting would be like this.

Between creating content and working on a long-format project, where do you feel most “at home”?

I think I haven't felt at home for a really long time. But a piece of my heart always feels stable when I write poetry, or when I write a good Hindi caption, or a small story. That is the space where I truly feel at home, and it's something I really look forward to going back to. Comedy, the attire, and all the other aspects are part of my work, but I still feel that I need to do things that make me feel at home.

You've also been part of Sitaare Zameen Par. What was that experience like, and what's one thing you learned while sharing screen space with Aamir Khan?

While working on Sitaare Zameen Par, I learned two things from Aamir sir. The first was that in life, become so big that no one sitting around you ever feels small because of you.

I think the way he made us feel was exactly that. I remember sitting in a room with him; he was watching this funny comedy clip, a famous meme, and he was so thrilled to share it with all of us. Even though I was a newcomer, he was so warm and kind. He never made me feel small, which is such a big thing. I think that's how life should be, no one should feel small around you.

The second thing he told me was that I should always respect the writer. I was messing up my dialogues a bit, and he said, “The writer has written this with thought and understanding. Say it exactly as it is, otherwise, it becomes disrespectful.”

I don't think I've ever heard something so beautiful from anyone. So yes, this is something I truly love and will always remember.

Quick Takes:

1. One word that describes Jamnapaar Season 2 for you?

Wholesome.

2. Acting or writing, what feels more natural?

Writing.

3. Your comfort food after a long shoot?

This time I had so much Chinese food, so Chinese!

4. A stereotype about women you'd love to see gone forever?

I don't think it's a stereotype, but I think it's high time that women start loving themselves without feeling guilt.

5. Post-pregnancy, one thing that gave you strength every single day?

I was really looking forward to coming back to work.

6. One female creator or actor you'd love to collaborate with?

Priyanka Chopra.

7. The best advice you've ever received?

I think the best advice I have ever received was from one of my friends and my husband. They told me, “Work now. Don't think that because you have a child, you should stop working. One day your child will grow up and ask, ‘Mumma, what did you do? Why didn't you work? Were you crazy?' He will move on in his own life, and you will have to restart yours. You will sit there with regret, and that resentment will come towards the same child.” So, I think that was one of the best pieces of advice I have ever received.