“I Did See Patriarchy At Home Growing Up," Says Ram Charan's Wife & Entrepreneur Upasana Konidela
Upasana Konidela, Vice Chairperson of CSR at Apollo Hospitals and wife of superstar Ram Charan, opened up about her experiences of witnessing and confronting patriarchy in her personal and professional life during an interview with Masoom Minawala, who hosts the MM show on YouTube.
Upasana, a member of the influential Reddy family, shared that she did encounter patriarchy within her home growing up. “I did see patriarchy at home,” she said.
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However, she was quick to highlight how her family nipped it in the bud. “The girls were very strong, and they asked for their share. Our family treats men and women equally, and I’m proud of that,” she said.
The Apollo Hospitals group, founded by her grandfather Prathap C Reddy, has had women in key leadership positions, including Upasana’s aunts, Preetha Reddy, Suneeta Reddy, Shobana Kamineni, and Sangita Reddy. Their influence helped shape a legacy of empowerment within the family business.
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Upasana spoke at length about the challenges of being a woman in a corporate world, acknowledging that she has often faced skepticism from those around her.
“Even people who report to me have questioned my intelligence,” she shared, revealing that while her bosses trusted her capabilities, it was sometimes her subordinates who doubted her. She recognised that, as a woman, her weaknesses were sometimes exploited, so she made it a point to be fully prepared before attending any meeting.
“My weapon is knowledge. I constantly work on self-improvement by re-educating myself, through courses and reading,” she explained.
Upasana also addressed the pressures of balancing multiple roles. “I treat my personal goals like quarterly business reviews,” she said.
While concluding, Upasana stated that every woman, even those born into wealth, should manage her own money.
She talked about the importance of financial empowerment for women, saying, “It’s essential for women to understand and control their finances. Financial independence is key to feeling truly empowered.”
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On the topic of motherhood, marriage, and career, Upasana didn’t shy away from the truth. While married to one of the most famous actors in the country, she openly acknowledged that motherhood and marriage are not always a “bed of roses.”
She also talked about the public scrutiny that comes with being in the spotlight, and how to break barriers for women. She firmly stated that women should take charge and create legacies, especially in family-run businesses.
