Kannada actress and dancer Bhavana Ramanna has announced that she is six months pregnant with twins, conceived through IVF. At 40 years old, Bhavana is embracing motherhood as a single woman, a decision she says was driven by a deep, personal calling.
Bhavana, whose birth name is Nandini Ramanna, began her acting career in 1996. She is a well-known actress in the Kannada film industry, with three Karnataka State Film Awards to her name. She is also a trained Bharatanatyam dancer and runs her own production house, HomeTown Productions, which focuses on dance and music shows. One of her notable films, Shanti, earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Bhavana revealed that the desire to become a mother grew stronger as she entered her 40s. Having not found a partner, she decided to explore assisted reproduction. She faced initial resistance from IVF clinics, with many turning her away because she was single and unmarried. However, she eventually found a supportive doctor and clinic, and the IVF treatment was successful on the first attempt.
She shared that her father and siblings have been supportive of her decision. Her father told her, "You're a woman, and you have every right to become a mother". Bhavana is now focused on preparing for the arrival of her twins, and is committed to raising them with strong values, self-belief, and a rich cultural upbringing.
Bhavana has also spoken about the societal biases against single mothers, recalling an incident where a friend was denied a rental home because of her marital status. She clarified that her decision to become a single mother was not an act of rebellion, but a personal choice to fulfill her desire to have children. She wants her children to grow up in a home filled with love, art, tradition, and culture, and to become compassionate individuals.
Several other celebrities have also chosen IVF or surrogacy to become parents, including Tusshar Kapoor, Lisa Ray, and Shah Rukh Khan.