Stars and their children forge strong bonds, despite spending time away for long stretches of time. But as parents, they always give their kids their all, some even calling them their lucky charms.
This Father’s Day, our Bollywood stars bared their hearts to tell us about the apples of their eye, the light of their lives and the reason they work so hard for...
Amitabh Bachchan
I have always told my kids and even my grandkids: ‘Work hard and play harder’. I have followed that forever. Shweta has always been very sharp but she has always remained aloof from this industry. It was a choice she made and I totally stand by it. She is very affectionate and respectful. She’s possibly closer to me while Abhishek is closer to Jaya. But then again, when we are all in the house, we always manage to have healthy conversations. We have a rule at home, which we have followed for years now. If we all are in the same city, we have to eat our food together as a family. It can be lunch, dinner or both but that’s something I have taught my children to do. Abhishek is in the same field so whenever people compare him to me, I don’t like it. Rather, I am always there for him whenever he needs me. When he was going through a bad phase in his career, I told him to take it up on his chin. I told him to print all the negative things the critics said and put them up on your wall so that they are the first things you see when you wake up. Plan your life accordingly. He’s an amazing son but he’s an excellent father to Aaradhya.
Shah Rukh Khan
I have always been very friendly with my kids. They are my best friends and I can talk to them about almost anything. My kids are extremely shy, especially Aryan and Suhana. AbRam is more people-friendly. But all of them are smart and I always make it a point to spend time with them. My dad has brought me up with certain values, in a certain manner. I hope I can instill them in my kids. All my kids are very respectful and well-behaved. I just hope I can be as good a Papa as my dad was to me. Aryan, Suhana, AbRam- they are all my lucky charms. People ask me why we have never seen Suhana making any appearance in your films. I want to tell them that I have different charms for different things (Smiles). So for films, it’s Aryan and AbRam — that’s why they were there in my movies. Suhana brings me luck for all the KKR games. So for films, it’s the boys and for cricket, it’s Suhana. I am very sorted that way. (Laughs) But now, they are both growing up. Aryan has grown up into a handsome man. Just a little less than me! (Laughs) Suhana is really sweet and she takes care of me. Gauri has brought up the kids really well and the entire credit goes to her. AbRam is too young. Our world now revolves around him.
Akshay Kumar
My son is a lot like me. He is extremely focussed and loves training. He is currently training in martial arts. There’s not a single film that I do which my kids don’t watch. Sometimes, they like it, sometimes, they don’t. The difference between my son and me is that I didn’t have the luxuries that my son enjoys at his age. But then again, I am happy he doesn’t take advantage of it. He is intelligent and sharp and is doing quite well in his academics as well.
Sunil Shetty
I am very lucky to have been gifted with kids like Athiya and Ahaan. They love, respect and are close to me. There’s nothing that my kids don’t share with me. I always want to be known as Athiya’s or Ahaan’s father, and I know that is going to happen very soon. I don’t have any issues with people not calling me Sunil Shetty anymore. Bohut saal bula liya, main theek hoon. Log bolenge Athiya ke papa hai, I will be really happy.
Anil Kapoor
Many thought I only have two daughters till recently! (Smiles) Actually, my three kids are very different from each other. Sonam is very talkative, but extremely sensitive and sensible. She has always made efforts to do things on her own. They are my kids, I am always there behind them. But the hard work is all theirs, for which I can take no credit. Today, see where Sonam has reached. She’s outspoken and she is brutally honest with me too. My kids didn’t like me in Race 2 and they were very vocal about it. I respect their opinions. At home, we lead a very normal life and there’s no filminess. That’s how Sunita has made sure the kids grew up. Rhea is a very confident filmmaker. I remember the amount of patience and dedication she had put in for Aisha. As for Harsh, he’s very quiet, which is why people thought I have only two daughters. He’s extremely hard-working. He keeps telling me he looks better than me (laughs). I have played a patriarch in my film (Dil Dhadakne Do) but at home, I am just their papa.
Abhishek Bachchan
She (Aaradhya) is growing up... and she is growing up so fast! Now she understands things. She has become more comfortable with the camera and the lights. She knows this is who we are and that everyone loves us. She is a very intelligent child. She is very caring too. She makes a little something for all of us on our birthdays. My favourite time of the day is when I get to play with her at home. Although she usually spends more time with Aishwarya, she is very attached to me. All the complaints are directed at me at the end of the day. It’s just so nice hearing her talk.
Imran Khan
They say motherhood is the biggest phase of a woman’s life, but I have to say that fatherhood changes you too. Imara has changed me in ways I never thought I would. I am more responsible today and she completes me and Avantika. Before Imara was born, everyone used to tell me several things about parenthood, but when you hold your baby in your arms, something changes. You are never really prepared for it. In the first couple of months, I was scared that maybe whatever we were doing for Imara wasn’t right. I used to sleep in one corner of the bed, fearing I might roll over and hurt her. But now, I am a pro. Even when I’m working, I wait to return home to be with her. I want her to grow up as a normal child and I know it’s difficult because there will be constant spotlight on her. That’s why we have created our own Imara zone at home and we keep going off on holidays.
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