Hello Mithun - Ek bete ki pukaar

'Papa' was difficult

Tracing the roots of this unusual practise, Mimoh recalls that as a child, he had a speech problem and he uttered his first words till the age of five. Papa was too difficult a word then and it were the monosyllables 'mi', 'thu' that came easily, as he kept hearing the word from everyone around.

Says Mimoh, "It was a cause of concern for my parents as I couldn't speak any proper word. And when I finally managed to speak 'Mithu' and gradually, 'Mithun' my dad was the happiest man and encouraged me to call him that." Coming to mother and former actress Yogita Bali, Mimoh explains, "'Ma', 'mom' have always been easier to say. As a result there was not any need to call her name."

I respect him the most

During his school days in Coimbatore, he realised for the first time that his habit was far from normal practice.

"I remember a set of my friends revealed astonishment and surprise at my addressing daddy by his first name. I remember taking great pains to explain that I had immortal respect for my father and that I meant no disrespect towards him. In fact, I started feeling guilty about it and talked about it with my mother. And her explanation helped me deal with it," says Mimoh. Adds father Mithun, "Trust me it sounds great to your ears when your children call you by your name."

My father's a chef

The duo reveals that their favourite pastime continues to be dishing out mutton biryani for the entire family, horse riding at the ranches, gardening and watching DVDs. "Mithun is my best buddy. It's a lesser-known fact that he's a great cook apart from being a mind-blowing actor. I have been learning a few culinary skills from him. I'm also very open to him and share all the adolescent-related problems with him."

Twice lucky?

After his debut film HE — The Only One, Mimoh has grabbed his second, titled Jimmy to be directed by Naresh Malhotra. Sneha Ullal of the Lucky fame has been paired opposite him and the film is expected to hit the floors next month.

The film boasts to have gut-wrenching action sequences and will be shot extensively in Punjab, US and Europe. "I play Jimmy in the film. My dad rose to fame with the character Jimmy in Disco Dancer and I hope it turns out lucky for me as well. In fact, it was Sohail sir's (actor Sohail Khan) suggestion to my dad."