Actor Durga Krishna says her marital life changed after baby: I felt invisible

Malayalam actor Durga Krishna has sparked an intense online discussion after candidly opening up about her postpartum experience and how motherhood deeply altered her marital life. In a series of emotional social media posts, the actor described feeling invisible and isolated after the birth of her daughter in 2025, despite being completely devoted to her child.

Her words resonated strongly with many women, who saw in her experience a reflection of their own unspoken struggles after childbirth.

“You are holding your baby, but who is holding you?”

Sharing a photograph of herself cradling her infant, Durga Krishna posed a powerful question to her followers: “You are holding your baby, but who is holding you?” The line quickly gained traction online, with many users calling it an honest portrayal of postpartum emotional neglect.

The actor invited mothers to share their own experiences, opening up a conversation around mental health, emotional labour and the often-ignored challenges women face after becoming mothers.

Feeling invisible in her marriage

In a longer note, Durga Krishna spoke about the emotional distance she felt in her relationship after childbirth. She revealed that while she is deeply attached to her baby, she has been battling an overwhelming sadness that is difficult to explain.

She wrote that the partner who cared for her during pregnancy seemed to disappear after the baby arrived. According to her, the relationship shifted from that of husband and wife to what felt like a functional co-parenting arrangement, leaving her feeling unseen and emotionally alone.

“I feel like I lost my husband and gained only a co-parent,” she shared, adding that all attention now revolved around the baby while her own emotional needs went unnoticed.

Sacrifices, silence and emotional exhaustion

Durga Krishna also spoke about the sacrifices that come with motherhood, stating that she had put her career, physical health, sleep and personal well-being on hold. She described nights spent awake with the baby while her husband slept in another room, reinforcing the sense of loneliness she felt despite being surrounded by love.

Her words highlighted a reality many women quietly endure — loving their child deeply while struggling with emotional exhaustion and loss of identity.

“I am obsessed with the life I created, but depressed by the loneliness of the life I’m now living,” she wrote.

Support pours in from social media

Screenshots of Durga Krishna’s posts soon made their way to Reddit and other platforms, where users expressed solidarity and support. Many women commented that such feelings are far more common than openly acknowledged, especially during the postpartum phase.

Several users pointed out that even supportive marriages can go through emotional disconnect after childbirth, calling postpartum one of the most mentally challenging phases in a woman’s life. While some felt that sharing such thoughts publicly could invite scrutiny, most praised the actor for her honesty and courage.

Personal and professional life

Durga Krishna married producer Arjun Ravindran in 2021. He had earlier produced Confessions of a Cuckoo, a film featuring the actor. The couple welcomed their daughter in 2025.

On the work front, Durga Krishna was last seen in Thankamani (2024) and is set to appear in the upcoming film Ram alongside Mohanlal.

A conversation many women relate to

Durga Krishna’s openness has once again underlined how postpartum mental health and emotional well-being within marriage remain under-discussed topics in Indian society. Her words have encouraged many women to speak up, seek support, and acknowledge that motherhood, while beautiful, can also be isolating without shared emotional responsibility.