2 days ago
Gauahar Khan Balances Motherhood, Work and Being Present
Gauahar Khan is an actor and a mother to her son, Zehaan.
She said she took him with her when she went to work.
She receives help, but she does not want parenting to be handled only by a nanny.
She said family and a supportive husband can make working and parenting possible.
A psychologist explained that young children learn whether they feel safe and loved through repeated interactions.
Parents do not have to be physically present every minute.
They should be emotionally available and consistent when they are together.
Simple routines, like reading a story or making a regular call, can help children feel secure.
Feeling safe helps children become independent as they grow.
Gauahar Khan said her son Zehaan accompanied her wherever she shot during his first two years.
She credited family, her husband and a strong support system for making work and parenting manageable.
Counselling psychologist Athul Raj said early childhood connection builds patterns of safety, trust and emotional attunement.
Raj said parents can maintain closeness through consistent rituals, such as bedtime stories or regular calls.
The article emphasized that children need to feel seen and emotionally supported, not simply managed or supervised.
- Who
- Actor Gauahar Khan, her son Zehaan and counselling psychologist Athul Raj.
- What
- Khan discussed staying hands-on as a working mother, while Raj explained how parents can maintain emotional connection when using childcare support.
- Where
- During Khan’s shoots and travel; the article does not specify a particular filming location.
- When
- Khan welcomed Zehaan in 2023 and said he stayed with her during shoots over the following two years; the comments were discussed in a recent interview.
- Why
- Khan wanted to remain closely involved in her child’s care, while the discussion addressed how working parents can support children’s emotional development.
Key facts
- Mother
- Gauahar Khan
- Child
- Zehaan
- Birth year
- 2023
- Interview outlet
- Bollywood Bubble
- Parenting approach
- Khan said she kept Zehaan with her during shoots and did not rely entirely on a nanny.
- Psychologist
- Athul Raj
- Suggested connection methods
- Consistent rituals such as bedtime stories, regular video calls and attentive conversations.
Quotes
Athul Raj
Counselling psychologist
“What helps are small, consistent rituals. The same story every night. A video call that always happens after lunch. A simple “how was today?” that you genuinely listen to, even if you’re tired.”
indianexpress.com
“It’s easy to fall into guilt. To try and make up for the absence with overcompensation. But what children truly want is to be seen, not managed.”
indianexpress.com
Gauahar Khan
Actor and mother of Zehaan
“I made sure that wherever I was shooting during these 2 years, Zehaan was with me.”
indianexpress.com








