Upasana Konidela has a simple message about parenting, but one she believes needs to change the way families look at childcare. Fathers shouldn't be applauded for feeding their children or changing their nappies, she says.

These aren't special gestures or favours to mothers. They're simply part of being a parent.The businesswoman, who is married to Tollywood actor Ram Charan, believes the conversation around equal parenting needs to begin at home.

Unless families stop treating everyday childcare as a mother's responsibility and a father's occasional contribution, she feels, the same mindset will continue to follow women into the workplace.Upasana shared her views during a conversation with Andhra Pradesh's Minister for Information Technology and Human Resources Development, Nara Lokesh, at the CII Partnership Summit 2026 in Visakhapatnam. Speaking about the different expectations placed on mothers and fathers, she pointed out how even the smallest acts of parenting are viewed differently depending on who does them.As quoted by ETimes, she said, "When a father feeds a child or changes the diaper, the mother and everyone are clapping, saying, 'Oh, that's so nice, you're such a good father.' But when the mother does it, why aren't they clapping for me?

Unless this mindset changes at home, it'll never change in the boardroom. This is what we really need to work on.

It should be part of the curriculum, people's mindset, people's changes. The father is not doing anybody a favour.

He's parenting. And I think that's the most important thing." She also believes the change needs to start with how children are brought up.

Mothers, she said, have a role to play in making sure their sons grow up seeing household chores and childcare as normal responsibilities rather than something they deserve praise for.Upasana admitted that she, too, has sometimes fallen into the habit of celebrating Ram Charan for looking after their children. However, she now sees why that reaction needs to change. "If we have that in our mindset, if we have that in our education, if children are brought up that way, and if mothers also don't make a big deal when their sons do good work, then I think the whole system will progress.

As a wife, I sometimes do it too. I find it extremely cute when he feeds our children.

But now I understand that it's normal. It's a normal thing for parents to do," she said.Upasana and Ram Charan's own family has grown considerably over the past few years.

The couple married in Hyderabad in 2012 and welcomed their first child, daughter Klin Kaara Konidela, in 2023.Earlier this year, they became parents to twins, a boy and a girl. Announcing their arrival on social media, the couple shared their happiness at welcoming their newest family members and thanked their loved ones and fans for their support."Happy to share that we have been blessed with a baby boy and a baby girl.

Having two daughters and a son fills us with immense gratitude. The women in our lives have been our greatest strength.

We are thankful to all our fans, family members, and well-wishers who have stood by us and supported us throughout this journey," they wrote.The twins have since been named Shivram and Anveera Devi. And while the couple are now parents to three children, Upasana's message goes beyond their growing family: raising children is a shared responsibility, not a job that mothers are expected to shoulder alone.- Ends