'I am in the best phase of my life'

Actress Lara Dutta Bhupathi has taken to her new role -- of a doting mother rather effortlessly. Lara married to tennis ace, Mahesh Bhupathi, gave birth to a baby girl in January this year has managed to knock off a few kilos, within three months of her daughter's birth, and is looking radiant.

The actress is currently enjoying taking care of baby Saira. She says, "I am definitely in the best phase of my life, personally and professionally."

Lara, who turned a year older on 17 April, had a fun-filled birthday with her newborn and quite understandably, it was a special one. "I love birthdays. Normally my birthday celebrations, between my friends and family, stretch into days, and this year was no exception. The celebrations started on the night of April 13 and carried on right up until the 16th night. I was thoroughly spoilt and feel extremely blessed to be surrounded by so much love, kindness and goodwill. It was also wonderful because Saira was the first one to wish me at midnight," gushes the actress.

Lara is all praise for her hubby Mahesh, who never shirks his daddy duties despite a hectic schedule. "Mahesh is a born father and his daughter is his greatest priority. Being an Olympic year, it's an extremely busy time for him, but whatever time he has off it's his family that comes first for him before everything else."

Besides her baby, Lara was in the public eye when she recently stepped out in her svelte self for her first public appearance post her pregnancy. Talking about her affinity for being fitness conscious, Lara says she was always dedicated towards being in shape, right though her pregnancy. "I was dedicated towards my fitness even when I was pregnant. As a mother, you instinctively want to do the best for your child. I practised yoga right through my pregnancy and in fact, will be sharing those techniques with other expectant mothers through a prenatal yoga DVD that will be released next month. Post pregnancy, I hit the gym after I gave myself sufficient rest time. I started off with some cardio and am still continuing with my yoga. But looking after a new born also helps the kilos slide off. I still have a little longer to go though," smiles the actress.

Source: Sneha Mahadevan, DNA-Daily News & Analysis

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