Mumbai, June 21: As most fathers hope for, actor Sunny Deol has followed in his father Dharmendra’s footsteps, and made just as big a mark for himself as an action Dharmendra flanked by sons Sunny and Bobby
hero.
Sit with this famous father-son duo and you’ll feel they’re more friends than parent-child. But say this to Sunny and he quickly says, “It’s difficult to be friends with your child. Friendship takes away the element of parenthood. One cannot be too lenient with the child because then there will be no fear in them, they won’t value anything you give them.
So how was it for him growing up as the son of a famous filmstar? “I’ve grown up loving dad and being proud of his achievements. In fact, I still feel like a child in front of him,” reveals the actor who equates a father to shelter and a mother to cuddles.
Meanwhile, giving his take on fatherhood, Dharmendra says, “A father means protection. When the father is around, the children do not fear anything, they feel they can take on anything or anyone. Yet however, they are more inclined towards the mother.” He goes on add that though the love between a father and son is great, it is not expressed as much. But he cautions against fathers getting to friendly with children. “No matter how close you are to your child, as a father there must be a distance. Fear helps keep the child in control, at least quite a bit,” says the actor.
Sunny is father to 18-year-old Ranveer and 15-year-old Rajveer Singh. So what kind of a father is? “I’m quite strict. I see that they don’t go out much. And if they do, they have to be home by eight latest,” he says adding that it is in fact the ever doting grandfather Dharmendra who spoils them. “If they want something and I am not willing to give it to them, they know exactly who to get it from,” he says looking at his father who helplessly shrugs, that charming smile intact. Responding to this Dharmendra says, “I can’t help it. When they come all pleading to me, I have to give in to them.” Sunny goes on the reveal that the yester-years hero is so doting on his grandchildren that brother Bobby’s youngest son’s day starts with spending time with his grandfather. “Only then will he get ready for school,” he adds. And while he’s busy relating these incidents, the smile on Drarmendra’s face is worth literally a million bucks.
Talking further about the bond between him and his sons, Sunny laments saying, “I have suddenly realised how quickly time is flying by. They are growing up so fast. Sometimes I try to hug them but they just run away.”
What is the toughest part of parenthood and what is the easiest, we ask the duo. “It’s nice when you see your children growing up into good human being, obedient to elders and successful in whatever they do in life,” says Dharmendra adding that the toughest part is to see one’s child going down the wrong way and not doing well in life.
Sunny meanwhile gets a tad emotional and says the toughest part of parenthood is when your child — who looks up to you like God — expects a miracle from you and you know that it is way beyond you. “It’s difficult to reason with children. They know what’s good and what’s not. So even if you try and correct them, they just won’t listen. You just need to keep your fingers crossed that they don’t end down the wrong road of life,” he adds.
And what about Dharmendra’s relationship with his daughters? “A father is a father. They are always more lenient too daughters. Daughters are given preference. After all, one day they get married and go away. Yeh ladke toh idhar he pade rehte hai,” he says much to our amusement. Even the much amused Sunny can’t help but laugh out when his father says this.
Dharmendra concludes saying that among other things, parent should definitely teach children about harmony and loving everyone despite race, colour and religion, “That’s the most important thing,” he says. Amen to it paaji!
—Agencies