Upsana Konidela issues clarification after backlash over egg freezing remark

Entrepreneur Upasana Konidela who is also the wife of Telugu actor Ram Charan has reacted to the controversies regarding her statement about egg freezing. While interacting with the students of IIT, Hyderabad, Upasana remarked that women should consider freezing their eggs so that they could focus on their career without worrying about getting married. However, her statement didn’t sit well with a section of society. Now, Upasana has posted a note on her X account explaining her stance. Sharing the note, Upasana wrote that she is happy to have sparked a healthy debate.

"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 circumstances? Is it wrong for a woman to set goals and focus on her career rather than only thinking of marriage or having children early?’’, asks Upasana.

She wrote about how she had frozen her eggs to embrace motherhood for the first time at 36. ‘’I married for love and companionship at 27 – a choice I made on my own terms. At 29, I decided to freeze my eggs for personal and health reasons, something I’ve always spoken about openly to encourage other women to explore their options (for the record it wasn’t at Appollo). I welcomed my first child at 36 and am now expecting twins at 39. Throughout my journey, I have given equal importance to building my career and nurturing my marriage, because a happy, stable environment matters deeply when raising a family. For me, marriage and career are not competing priorities – they are equally meaningful parts of a fulfilled life. But, I decide the timeline,’’ Upasana wrote.

Upasana’s words that women should try freezing their eggs so that they wouldn’t have to worry about marriage or children at least until they attain financial freedom had irked many. During an interactive session, Upasana had said, “The biggest insurance for women is to freeze their eggs. Because then you can choose when to get married, when you want to have kids, on your own terms, when you are financially independent.’’

Her statement, however, sparked a row online with many stating that Upasana was speaking from a position of privilege. Besides, some even claimed that Upasana, who is the CSR chairperson on Apollo was promoting her business. Meanwhile, a few others accused Upasana of advising young women to delay marriage and childbirth when she herself got married at 23. Upasana and Ram Charan who tied the knot in 2012 welcomed their first child, a daughter named Klin Kara in 2023. Currently, Upasana who is 39 years old is ready to welcome twins.