Upasana Konidela, wife of actor Ram Charan and Vice Chairperson of CSR for Apollo Hospitals, has responded to the sharp criticism she received for suggesting that women should consider freezing their eggs to avoid rushing into marriage. Addressing the controversy following her session at IIT Hyderabad, Upasana took to X to clarify her stance, asserting that choosing her marriage and motherhood timeline was her right, not a consequence of her privilege. She expressed gladness that the conversation has sparked “a healthy debate,” and urged people to read her detailed statement for a clearer understanding of her personal and professional decisions.
In her clarification, Upasana questioned the backlash, asking: “Is it wrong for a woman to marry for love instead of giving in to societal pressure? Is it wrong for her to wait until she finds the right partner? Is it wrong for a woman to choose when she wants to have children based on her own circumstances? Is it wrong for a woman to set her goals and focus on her career rather than only thinking of marriage or having children early?” She stressed that her choices were driven by personal conviction. She also corrected misinformation about her age at marriage, stating: “I married for love and companionship at 27… At 29, I decided to freeze my eggs… I welcomed my first child at 36 and am now expecting twins at 39.”
Upasana further explained that she has always given equal importance to building her career and nurturing her marriage, believing a happy, stable environment is crucial when raising a family. She concluded her statement by firmly asserting her choice over her life’s timeline: “For me, marriage and career are not competing priorities – they are equally meaningful parts of a fulfilled life. But I decide the timeline! That’s not privilege it’s my right!!!” The initial backlash was triggered by critics, including doctors and social media users, who argued that her remarks overlooked the high cost and uncertainty associated with egg freezing, making it inaccessible to the majority of women and thus a comment stemming from a place of “privilege.”
