As Kabir Bedi turns 80, Pooja Bedi speaks on her globally known dad: “We respect each other’s journeys, support each other in crisis”
By Subhash K. Jha Fri Jan 16 19:25:53 IST
Your father is 80 but he looks 50, you look half your age. Is it the genes, or the family recipe?
Definitely a family recipe. Equal parts good genes, laughter, eating well with passion, not guilt or deprivation. Also, ageing gracefully helps when you’re too busy living to obsess about numbers
What was it like growing up as Kabir Bedi’s daughter?
I think I became aware of his global stardom when people abroad knew my father better than I did! His Italian series Sandokan was epic! Made him a household name. At our home he was just Papa and life so normal, until we stepped outside, and suddenly it was like living with Clark Kent who turned into Superman the moment we left the house
Do you regret not having more time with him?
No regrets, just perspective!!! When your parent is building a global career, you don’t always get quantity, but we always got quality. And we valued and maximised every moment spent together. It builds more appreciation rather than take each other for granted.
What is the most difficult part of having celebrity parents?
Well, any weakness in that aspect became a strength as nothing is private, public opinions are free, even if they’re wildly uninformed. I grew up fast, learned resilience early and developed a good sense of humour. Great survival skills, really!!!
Is he more attentive as a father now?
Well, he’s calmer, even wiser, and he has always had phenomenal listening skills. He’s earned his place of respect not by virtue of role, but by quality of care and connection.
If you had to change anything in your equation with your father, what would it be?
Change my equation with papa? It’s been a completely evolving equation... and only gets deeper. Before we went to Disneyland together... now we do daddy-daughter holidays to wellness retreats. We respect each other’s journeys, support each other in crisis, laugh together and still learn from one another.
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