Daddy..Daddy Cool!!

Yash Tonk:

Definition of fatherhood..
Umm… Fatherhood should be a revelation for everyone. When I saw my daughter for the first time I was pleasantly shocked. I realized that she was my responsibility and I had to take care of her, no matter what.

Boys are closer to their mums while daughters dote on their dads. You think it’s true?
Yeah maybe. However, my daughter is close to both of us. Actually, she is closer to her mother as she spends more time with her and I don’t get to spend much time because of my work.

It is seen that cool and funky dads have replaced the strict and reserved dads. Your take on this change of scenario?
Well, definitely change takes place with time. But then again I feel it’s not about being too strict or too cool. While we have to give them freedom so that they are capable of making their own decisions and being independent in life, at the same time we also need to make sure that we imbibe the culture and values that we have got from our parents in them. Hence, it’s all about balancing between the two.

Your favorite hangout place with your daughter?
My daughter loves to go to J.W Marriot. And she loves Chinese food, so any Chinese restaurant is her favorite hangout.

Mihir Mishra:

The definition of fatherhood in your words..
For me fatherhood is about being there for your child right from the day he/she is born till eternity I guess(laughs). You grow with them; look at life from their point of view, not yours. Just being with them is letting them know that you are there with them at every step. Moreover, I think the most important thing is to be their best friend.

People say boys are closer to their mums, while daughters dote on dads. Is it true?
In my case, I have a daughter, she is the only child, maybe it could be true, and it could not. My daughter is close to both of us. When she can’t get me to agree over something, she goes to her mum and vice versa.

The strict and reserved dad has taken over by chilled out and funky dads of today. Your take on this changed scenario.
I think being a bit of both is equally important, as you cannot be very strict or very chilled out. You just have to maintain the proper balance between the two. With me, when needed I am strict and when needed I am very chilled out, depending on the situation. I am striving quite hard to maintain the balance.

Your favorite hangout place with your daughter.
There is no particular place as such. Wherever there is fun involved is our favorite hangout, be it a shopping mall, a gaming arcade or a restaurant. But, I think the best hangout place would have to be our drawing room, where we have maximum amount of fun.

Pankit Thakkar:

The definition of fatherhood in your words..
My mother expired when I was very young and the word father is very controversial for me as my dad was almost non-existent for me. So it is very difficult for me to define fatherhood.

People say boys are closer to their mums, while daughters dote on dads. You feel it’s true?
No doubt about that. Rakshaan is closer to his mother but it’s not like he’s not close to me. I feel that a child needs both its parents because they are different in their terms of thinking, so the child is balanced.

The strict and reserved dad has taken over by chilled out and funky dads of todays? Your take on this changed scenario..
Earlier people were rigid and orthodox in their thoughts, but now times are changing. I personally have seen my relatives spoil their children’s lives by imposing their decisions upon them.

Your favorite hangout place with your child.
Right now, it’s the Time Zone at Inorbit Mall. We have become regular visitors there.

Sameer Dharmadhikari:

The definition of fatherhood in your words!
If I had to define fatherhood in one word, it would be being a complete man.

It’s usually said boys are closer to their mums, while daughters dote on their dads. Do you think it’s true?

Yes, it is very much true.

The strict and reserved dad has been taken over by chilled out and funky dads of today. Your take on this changed scenario.

With the changing situations, I think the dads nowadays need to be a bit chilled out with their children.

Your favorite hangout place with your child?

I love to spend time with my children at home.

Anand Suryavanshi:

Definition of fatherhood..
I will say it is responsibility, love and protection combined. It is very tough to define fatherhood; I can say that it is the most beautiful feeling in the world.

Boys are closer to their mums while daughters dote on their dads. You think it’s true?
Yes, I accept this as I am more close to my mom and my sister is closer to my dad. At least in my case, this holds good. It is the same in my daughter’s case too, as Diza is closer to me.

It is seen that cool and funky dads have replaced the strict and reserved dads. Your take on this change of scenario?
I have always been chilled out as a father. I always had an idea how I would be as a parent; I am mostly a friend and a guide to my daughter and will always want to be that. But yes, I will enforce a discipline too, but would balance it out the best of my abilities..

Sumeet Raghavan:

The definition of fatherhood in your words!
I have two kids, my son is 11 and daughter is 8. I think I have different roles to play as a father. When I deal with my son, I am his friend, while when I am with my daughter I am more like a toy, as she likes to play with me. Fatherhood is knowing how to switch between roles and be flexible.

People say boys are closer to their mums, while daughters dote on their dads. Is it true?

Yes, it is true to certain extent but kids nowadays are very smart and know which parent is more of a taskmaster and sterner and which parent is chilled out. They have their priorities and it keeps on changing.

The strict and reserved dad has been taken over by chilled out and funky dads of today. Your take on this changed scenario.

I don't think the scenario has changed. You have to be more alert because of the kind of culture difference. You have to keep a constant tab on what goes on in your kid’s life. We just need to be more cautious about what they do, what friends they hang out with, what they watch on television. You have to be chilled out as well as strict. It is all about the balance.

Your favorite hangout place with your child?

Favorite hangout place would have to be the theatre.

Rohit Roy:

The definition of fatherhood in your words!
Father is someone who is the figurehead of the family. He is the head of the family and it’s his responsibility to look after his family. I have a daughter and I think the father-daughter bond is the strongest bond of all. The one thing about being a father is that it is a very difficult process. Kids today are extremely intelligent, so you have to always be on your toes.

People say boys are closer to their mums, while daughters dote on their dads. You think this is true.

Absolutely it is very true. You can see that this is the one thing common between any father-daughter and mother-son relation. Like I am extremely close to my mother and my daughter is very close to me.

The strict and reserved dad has been taken over by chilled out and funky dads of today. Your take on this changed scenario.

Obviously as time changes, such changes are bound to happen. For instance, my father was a strict man and would never dabble in the domain of the mother. But now, things have changed and there is equal responsibility. Today’s father knows how to enjoy with his children as they are growing up.

Your favorite hangout place with your daughter?

Right now it's The Club because it is a huge place and there is something for everyone to do. It has a huge garden and a playground where Kiara plays with her friends.

Reporter: Binita Ramchandani, Ranjini Nair, Melanie
Author: Nishtha, Melanie