Anshuman Jha on becoming a parent, “Suddenly, there is another being who is greater than ‘I’ or ‘us’”

By Subhash K. Jha -

March 23, 2024 - 11:10 AM IST

Actor Anshuman Jha married his American girlfriend Sierra Winters in October 2022. They are now the proud father of a baby girl Tara.

Anshuman Jha on becoming a parent, “Suddenly, there is another being who is greater than ‘I’ or ‘us’”

Anshuman sees parenthood as a game-changer in his life. “Suddenly, there is another being who is greater than ‘I’ or ‘us’. For now, I am responsible for a human being who can impact a world that I may not be a part of. And I am looking forward to prioritising it. I have taken a paternity leave for two months, pushed Lakadbaggha 2 by three months. I feel like Maa (mom) has blessed us and I am looking forward to serving this child. Our kids don't come from us but through us and therefore I wish to continue being a better human being,” he said.

Anshuman is happy that the child is a girl. “We were excited to have a baby together. Gender was a surprise even though we could have chosen to find it here in the US. A baby girl is special for me. I have been brought up by women and a lot of who I am is because of the female influences in my life. Fair to say I am matriarchal and we are thrilled to have a baby girl. Sierra and I are close in ways which go beyond the body and mind. This has only empowered our belief and faith in the purity of our love,” said the actor.

He said that his life hasn’t changed much after marriage. He said, “Not much has changed, to be honest. I still have my routine and she has hers. I like discipline and find joy in the little things, like walking with my dogs. And Sierra is a lot of the same being a tri-athlete, in being rooted in simplicity. I truly feel blessed to have someone like her as my life partner. I respect and like her immensely in addition to being in love with her. We are each other's best friends so life hasn't changed much; a few priorities may have. And I like to cook, always been reasonably domesticated. When I work, I work. When at home, I am private. Balance is the key to defining my life pre and post marriage. And that's what I strive for.”

Anshuman feels his wife Sierra completes him as a person. “She is a good human being,” he said. “I am in awe of her connection with Nature and Mother Earth, her rootedness and her simplicity. I have immense respect and regard for her work ethic, how she trains, how vanity hasn't overtaken her existence, how she challenges herself. Also, she is a phenomenal chef and I love her cooking. In a world obsessed with counting likes, followers, I count my blessings in doing what I love, and doing it my way, with honesty, consistency. She likes that determination in me, or so she says. But best you ask her, she might write a column (laughs).

Anshuman now divides his time between the US and India. “We are in India permanently but try to be in America in July and December. The pregnancy has made the situation a little different. She will be here for six months. But that was because we didn't want her to travel in her last trimester and want her to recover before coming home to Mumbai. Her mother's presence here has really helped through this phase. Grandparents are a blessing. And Tara has them here, so made sense for this long trip. I wish my mother was around to see Tara.”

About the long distance marriage Anshuman protested saying, “It isn't really long distance because we are together in India nine months a year. But when we are apart we write letters to one another by post. We have been doing that since we started dating in 2019. Sometimes the joy is in the wait. Distance has never been a factor for us. We value the quality of time we have and respect it. Even when we are together our individual lives run at the same speed, supporting one another at all times. We value each other and that's that and we are grateful that we met.”

On the work front, Anshuman has plenty to look after. “As an actor, my next is a collaboration with Harish Vyas titled Hari Ka Om, a father-son relationship drama/comedy. I feel it's my best work this far. And getting to work with Raghubir Yadav is a dream come true. Lakadbagga 2 goes on floor mid-year. I have begun training for it physically. And my directorial debut Lord Curzon Ki Haveli has two more festivals to attend before a July release this year. I will be directing a rom-com next,” he said.

And yes, Sierra watches his films. “She is my most honest feedback board. She loves Hum Bhi Akele Tum Bhi Akele the most,” he said.

Also Read: Anshuman Jha welcomes baby girl, Tara, with wife Sierra Winters