“Any man can be father, but it takes someone special to be a dad.” This famous quote by popular Australian photographer Anne Geddes has been circulating all over the globe for the longest time. The best part perhaps about this quote is that even though it’s just a very simple line, the essence of the same is filled with emotions and values. The overall grooming of a child since birth is very essential and that’s when the father and the mother join hands together for the sake of their child’s upbringing and growth. Both of them play an equal role and both of them must be on the same page during parenting.
In today’s time, the rate of divorces has grown significantly and how. We can easily pass on the blame to the fast-paced lifestyle of individuals where a balance between work and family becomes difficult. It could also be one’s lack of motivation to work out a relationship with efforts due to emotion and mental fatigue. However, whatever the reason, the ending is never really on a happy note from a larger perspective. When it comes to couples who are married and have children, it’s an entirely different ball game altogether. While the husband and wife might part ways on an amicable note, it’s important to think about the mental health of the child as to what impact the divorce or separation could have on the child’s mind. As far as the responsibilities of a father after divorce is concerned (assuming that the mother gets custody of the child), it is primarily generalized to be just financial support. But hey, money can’t buy you the love of a father that a child always desires, right? Well, as far as this thing is concerned, our Indian film industry and some of our fathers from the entertainment space have always displayed this progressive attitude. There are many interesting examples of celebrity fathers who might be separated or divorced from their wives but have actively been in touch with their children by keeping them on top of their priority list. From planned lunch and dinner outings to short and simple trips, these celebrity fathers do it all to make their children feel loved and it’s thoroughly inspiring indeed. So, here’s taking a look at some of our Hindi film industry fathers who even today make their children feel loved and special irrespective of their equation with their ex-wives.
Arbaaz Khan: Arbaaz Khan and Malaika Arora were one of the most loved and admired couples in Bollywood in the past. The two of them tied the knot on December 12, 1998, and after being together for many years, they decided to separate and got officially divorced on May 11, 2017. As per reports in BollywoodShaadis.com, Malaika was given custody of their son Arhaan. However, like a nice and responsible father, Arbaaz always makes sure that he never lets Arhaan feel any less love from his father. From meeting him outside for lunch and dinner outings to eventually coming together with ex-wife Malaika under the same roof for the sake of his son, we always see Arbaaz do it all like a nice and dutiful father.
Arjun Rampal: Arjun Rampal tied the knot with Mehr Jesia a long time back in the year 1998. After having lived peacefully with each other for many years, trouble hit their paradise and due to that, they decided to get divorced in the year 2019. The two of them have two daughters named Mahikaa and Myra and despite all the differences that Arjun has with Mehr, he has never let that come in between the love and fondness he has for his two daughters. He’s currently together with Gabriella Demetriades and such is the comfort zone that both Mahiraa and Myra are often spotted with both Arjun and his current partner Gabrielle. ‘Daddy Cool’ stuff indeed.
Sanjay Dutt: Sanjay Dutt is one of the most amazing and loved actors in the industry. Just like many other celebrities and superstars, unfortunately, even Sanjay has faced quite a turbulent married life. He has a daughter named Trishala Dutt from his first wife Richa Sharma who unfortunately passed away in the year 1996 due to a brain tumour as reported by NDTV. Today Sanjay has moved on and is happily living his married life with Manyata Dutt who’s been with him through thick and thin. However, despite moving on, he never failed to show his love and admiration for his daughter Trishala. She’s based in New York and whenever Sanjay visits the USA or Trishala comes to India, they always make it a point to meet each other and spend some time ‘father-daughter’ time with each other. Absolutely adorable stuff indeed.
Saif Ali Khan: Saif Ali Khan has to be one of the coolest names on this list. Right now, he’s happily married to Kareena Kapoor and the two of them have two baby boys in the form of Taimur Ali Khan and Jeh Ali Khan. However, before this, Saif had two children, Sara Ali Khan and Ibrahim Ali Khan from his ex-wife, Amrita Singh. Although Saif and Amrita don’t really speak to each other, he’s never let that trouble screw his relationship with Sara and Ibrahim. In fact, whenever there’s a family get-together at his palace, Sara and Ibrahim always make it a point to be together and spend time with Kareena and the other babies.
Aamir Khan: Aamir Khan might be one of the best and most versatile names in the industry when it comes to cinematic intelligence, unfortunately, his married life and journey haven’t always been the smoothest. Aamir Khan and Reena Dutta tied the knot for the first time on April 18, 1986, and after having been together for 16 years, they were granted divorce in 2002. Aamir has two children from Reena namely Junaid and Ira and whatever his equation with Reena, that has never ever come in between Aamir showing his love and affection for Junaid and Ira. Unfortunately after getting married to Kiran Rao in 2005, Aamir’s marriage with her ended as well. However, the two of them continue to remain cordial for the sake of their young boy Azad whom they are co-parenting together. Aamir has always been a doting father who spoke highly about his children and it’s a quality one must admire for real.
Hrithik Roshan: There was a time in B-Town when Hrithik Roshan and Sussanne Khan were said to be the most amazing and good-looking couple in B-Town. The two of them tied the knot on December 20, 2000, and in the year 2014, they got divorced. What’s truly worthy of learning from their end is how they both have moved on amicably and have accepted each other as friends the way they are. While Sussanne is currently dating Arsalan Goni, Hrithik is currently dating Saba Azad. Both Hrithik and Sussanne however continue to co-parent their children Hrehaan and Hridaan together. Hrithik always ensures that even today, he spends quality time with both his sons and that’s such an admirable quality indeed.
Anurag Kashyap: The movie maverick director had tied the knot with his first wife Aarti Bajaj after dating for 9 years. However, both of them divorced in 2009 post which, and which Anurag found his love in actress Kalki Koechlin. Soon, that relationship ended as well. However, the most heartwarming thing about the whole situation is that it has not spoilt Anurag’s relationship with his daughter Aaliyah Kashyap even by an iota. For the unversed, Aaliyah is Anurag’s daughter from Aarti and even today, Anurag does his best to make his daughter Aaliyah feel loved.
Ranvir Shorey: Ranvir Shorey and Konkona Sen Sharma tied the knot in the year 2010 and welcomed an adorable baby boy named Haroon in 2011. In the year 2020, both Konkona and Ranvir were granted a divorce and since then, both of them have been co-parenting Haroon together. Like a doting and loved father, Ranvir always ensured that he never lets young Haroon miss the love of a father and it’s a quality that we highly admire and feel that there’s a lot to learn from. Absolutely amazing ain’t it?
Well, given the fact that some of the leading names and most popular personalities from the world of entertainment take their responsibility of being a father very seriously, there’s no reason why any individual should cut off ties with their child/children after divorce just because he doesn’t share any relationship with the concerned lady. At the end of the day, yes we all realize that the love of a mother is extremely important for a child. But a ‘dad’ will always and forever be a son’s ‘first hero’ and a daughter’s ‘first love’. No half measures there certainly.