My efforts for Siddhant are genuine, says single dad Rahul Dev

As the going gets tough, the tough get going, they say but literally, there’s much more to it. Take for instance, Rahul Dev, who’s been juggling multiple roles all at the same time. He’s a successful entrepreneur, an actor and is also making inroads into the lifestyle segment now. But the most important role that he dons is that of a father — a single dad to a 13-year-old son, Siddhant.

While both father and son have been trying to come to terms with the sudden loss of the most important woman in their lives two years back, Rahul has been trying his best to make it up for his son. “I’m not a great father and there have been many occasions, when I fall short, but I’m genuinely trying,” he confesses. The sudden demise of his wife left both father and son grappling with the reality. “Siddhant has received a perfect upbringing from his mother and it’s up to me now to continue on the same track. But I must say that it’s definitely not possible for a father to play the role of a dad and mom simultaneously. I’m trying single-handedly, with some help from my aged and ailing mother and I just hope that Siddhant grows up to be the way his mother wanted him to,” he states.

Till his wife was around, Rahul would play Santa Claus to his son — since work kept him away often, whenever he was around, he would pamper the boy silly. “I’ve been trying to develop a relationship between the two of us, but I must say it’s difficult considering my work schedules and the fact that Siddhant was very close to his mother. For instance, during his exams, I made it a point to be with him for three weeks at a stretch and that was the closest we’ve been. Following that, work took me traveling and there’s been a gap again,” he rues. While he insists that Siddhant is the keypoint of his life, there’s no denying that women naturally come with the virtues of motherhood. “This summer, Siddhant learnt to play the guitar and he’s picking it up fast. I’m glad that he’s taken to music as it’s a healer of sorts. When his mom was around, she used to take him riding twice a week, but I have not been able to do that. I intend to take out time this school term to be able to encourage that as well,” Rahul quips.

Even though his work takes him places, Rahul had planned a holiday with his son, this summer which got shelved because of Siddhant’s guitar lessons. “His mother always wanted him to study in the International General Certificate of Secondary Education curriculum and I am amazed at the fire in him to get to his goal. I see him taking cautious steps when it comes to his studies, but he’s doing it all by himself. I never wanted him to lose a year and he hasn’t,” says the proud dad. Everyday there’s something new to learn from Siddhant, says Rahul and the immense strength of character that the teenager has shown has left the father spellbound. “He’s a very shy but strong-willed boy and watching him grow up amazes me. I’m making sincere efforts to spend more time with him — be it dropping and picking him from school or tutorials. He’s always been his mother’s boy, but I must say that we’ve carefully and consistently bonded over the last few months,” Rahul ends.