New Delhi, July 7, 2026 — In a refreshingly candid revelation, National Award-winning actor Kriti Sanon has opened up for the first time about her decision to freeze her eggs. Speaking on the Humans of Bombay podcast, the 35-year-old actor shared that she underwent the fertility preservation procedure at age 29, strategically timing it during her physical transformation for the 2021 comedy-drama Mimi—a film that, ironically, revolved around the themes of surrogacy and motherhood.
By sharing her journey, Sanon joins a growing cohort of prominent Indian women, including Priyanka Chopra, Ekta Kapoor, and Mona Singh, who are publicly dismantling long-held taboos surrounding women’s biological clocks and reproductive choices.
A Strategic Choice Amid a Major Transformation
During the interview, Sanon explained that the idea first came from a close confidant who described egg freezing as “the best thing and the best gift you can give yourself.” The advice resonated with her, but finding the right window in a chaotic shooting schedule was the real challenge.
The opportunity presented itself when she had to gain roughly 15 kilograms (around 33 pounds) to play a pregnant surrogate in Mimi. Because the hormone injections required for egg retrieval naturally cause intense bloating and water retention, Sanon realized she could align the medical side effects with her character’s physical requirements.
However, she did not sugarcoat the realities of the process. The actor recalled experiencing severe hormonal disruptions, comparing the physical and psychological toll to actual pregnancy symptoms. “Your mood swings are going off the charts,” she noted, though she emphasized that the eventual peace of mind made the emotional rollercoaster entirely worth it.
Why the Timing Mattered: What Fertility Experts Say
Sanon’s decision to freeze her eggs at age 29 aligns perfectly with clinical recommendations. Fertility specialists point out that a woman’s late 20s to early 30s represents the physiological sweet spot for fertility preservation.
Dr. Rita Modi, a Senior IVF Consultant based in Mumbai, explained that both egg quality and quantity (ovarian reserve) are generally at their peak during this age bracket. Freezing eggs during this window dramatically increases the likelihood of a successful live birth if the eggs are thawed and used in the future.
The Connection Between Body Weight and Ovarian Response
Sanon’s unique timing—undergoing ovarian stimulation while intentionally gaining weight—has raised questions about how body mass affects fertility treatments. According to medical professionals, weight plays a nuanced role in reproductive health:
- Hormonal Balance: Sudden or extreme shifts in weight can alter baseline hormone levels, potentially impacting how the body responds to fertility medications.
- Ovarian Stimulation: Both being significantly underweight or overweight can make it harder for doctors to predict ovarian response, sometimes requiring higher doses of stimulation hormones.
- Egg Yield: Maintaining a relatively stable, healthy body mass index (BMI) typically yields the most predictable medical outcomes. However, specialists emphasize that individual health metrics matter much more than a number on a scale.
Dr. Sandeep Talwar, a Delhi-based fertility specialist, noted that while egg freezing is an excellent “investment in future fertility,” it serves as a safety net rather than an absolute guarantee. “Early planning offers better options later in life, but a successful outcome still depends heavily on the individual’s biological health at the time of retrieval,” Dr. Talwar clarified.
Dismantling the “Biological Clock” Anxiety
For many women in demanding, high-stakes professions, the pressure to hit traditional milestones—marriage and children—can create immense psychological stress during the peak years of their career. Sanon expressed that her primary motivation was to reclaim authority over her own timeline, free from societal expectations.
“I never wanted to be tied down by the thought that I need to get married now, or I need to have kids now because I have a timeline,” Sanon stated firmly. “Whether it’s marriage or kids, you need to do it when you feel it inside, when you feel ready for it. It shouldn’t come out of some clock or pressure.”
Fast Facts: Understanding the Egg Freezing Process
For women looking into fertility preservation, understanding the clinical milestones is crucial. The procedure typically spans a few weeks and involves several distinct medical phases:
A Shifting Cultural Narrative
Sanon’s transparency is part of a broader cultural shift in India, where conversations around women’s reproductive health have historically been kept behind closed doors. By candidly discussing the physical realities—including the bloating, intense mood swings, and medical steps—public figures are transforming egg freezing from a taboo medical secret into an informed choice of self-care.
By taking control of her reproductive future six years ago on the sets of Mimi, Kriti Sanon managed to secure both her career trajectory and her personal freedom, leaving an empowering blueprint for modern women navigating the complexities of biology and ambition.