TOI: All in one moms in showbiz - Shweta/Barkha

Madhuri Dixit recently said in an interview that women need to be "all-in-one". Emphasizing the need to balance personal and professional lives, Madhuri herself has been an example of practicing what she preaches. Since her return to showbiz, she has been juggling between her roles as a wife, a mom and an actress (Dedh Ishqiya and Gulab Gang) and TV show judge (Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 6). Here's a look at some of showbiz's alpha women, who've successfully balanced their personal life along with their work. 

Female lead in soaps to mom in daily
The honey-eyed Barkha Bisht married co-star Indraneil Sengupta in 2008. After a brief sabbatical, Barkha made a comeback in Sajan Ghar Jaana Hai, did an item number in the film Raajneeti before giving birth to Meira in 2011. While the actress took a "planned break" from work to start a family, she resumed shoot after three months after an intensive workout regimen. But balancing work and home was easy for her, as Barkha had worked almost six months into her pregnancy and managed her shoot and baby duties for the first five months of Meira without help of. Currently seen as Pinky in Parvarrish, the hot mommy-daddy also walked the ramp with their baby recently in a fashion show.

Bahu in k-soap to reality TV star and now lead in a daily soap
While her career graph seems pretty impressive, balancing work and personal life has been tough for Shweta Tiwari. Shweta who shot to overnight telly stardom as Prerna in Kasautii Zindagi Key, married Raja Chaudhary at 18, was in an abusive marriage and went to become a successful single mom. After a brief stint in Bhojpuri films, an aborted attempt at doing Bollywood, Shweta tickled audiences pink in laughter reality shows. Her moment of glory was during her tear jerking confession in Bigg Boss 4 (which she won) about how she 'missed' out on all the 'big moments' of daughter Palak's life because of her professional commitments. Shweta who got knotty the second time around with close friend and former colleague Abhinav Kohli, is currently devoting time to her teenage daughter and hubby. She's reportedly on a 'break' from her daily show, Parvarish.

Sizzling vamp who redefined evil on TV, reality show star
Best remembered as the mean and manipulative Komolika (Kasautii Zindagi Key) Urvashi Dholakia changed the face of evil in daily soaps. But off-screen her life had its share of ups and downs. A runaway marriage at 16, mom to twins at 17 and divorce at 18, Urvashi's heartwrenching story spiced up Sach Ka Saamna and Bigg Boss 6 (which she also won). Urvashi's clear about her priorities, and has gone on record to say that she'd "go to any extent" to "make her sons' lives better" and "never leave her career for any man".

First daily soap queen, sports & reality TV show anchor
Oomphy Mandira Bedi catapulted to stardom with a power-packed performance in Shanti (1992), went on to be the coy Punjaban who loved and lost Shah Rukh Khan in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, won Fear Factor India and turned into the first host for the IPL 1 (raising eyebrows in her cleavage dipping noodle strap bloused appearance!). After a decade long marriage to Raj Kaushal, Mandy turned mom in 2011, but the fitness fanatic, got back into ship shape in three months (after her delivery). She has since managed her professional and personal life with effortless ease. The tattoed actress is currently hosting Indian Idol Junior (and will also be seen in the upcoming thriller 24.

Leading lady in 90s, saas in daily, reality show participant
TV's 'young' sasuma (Sumitra in Balika Vadhu), Smita Bansal (who won hearts as a perky young lead in the 90s soap Amanat and Challenge,) was not sure if she'd return to work after she had her first child. But, Smita defied all odds and made a startling comeback with Balika Vadhu after a four year sabbatical. Married to director Ankush Mehta, Smita's supportive mother-in-law took charge of domestic matters and turned nanny to ensure that Smita could pursue her acting career again. The talented actress has since divided her waking hours to her personal priorities and TV shoot and taken time for both. Three months after the birth of her second child last year, Smita resumed work and even shook a leg (with doting hubby in tow) in the dance reality show Nach Baliye 5 .

Bolly's mean queen turned judge of comic reality show
Nobody can do what Archana Puran Singh does on TV. The curly haired Archana can give her male counterparts on the comedy reality shows serious competition when it comes to laughing out loud (literally). Archana who's almost become the face of comedy on television for the past few years is a proud homemaker who she looks after her husband Parmeet Sethi and two sons Aaryamaan and Ayushmaan after shoot wraps up. Archana claims she's 'able to' balance her dual commitments because she "loves" what she does. Archana says she "loves her job as I shoot for one day a week" and has the "other six days off and I'm being paid a lot for it. The only hectic part of this shoot is that I come back at 7 am after wrapping up (the next morning)."