B-Town's first surrogate dad: Tusshar Kapoor becomes single parent

This is the first time that any single, male member of Bollywood has had a baby through IVF. The young father is over the moon about the latest addition to the Kapoor family.

“I am thrilled to be a father! The paternal instincts in me had been overpowering my heart and mind for some time. And I am thrilled beyond words to have Laksshya, now the greatest source of joy in my life,” he said.

‘He’ll make a great dad’
Proud grandparents, Shobha and yesteryear star Jeetendra, shared the excitement and said, “We could not be more excited to be grandparents to Laksshya, and are completely supportive of Tusshar’s decision. This is certainly a tremendous blessing. Tusshar is a wonderful son, and he has proven with responsibility, independence and kindness that he will be a great father to Laksshya.”

Ekta chose the name
Tusshar’s elder sister, Balaji boss Ekta Kapoor, had in an earlier interview said that she’d love to adopt a baby even if she had her own. But for now, she’s enjoying her role as an aunt. “Ekta is too excited. She is a June baby and so is my son, so she says that ‘he’s my twin’. Naming him Laksshya was her idea.”

 My parents, Ekta and I are all the caretakers. Let him get healthier, all of you can then see him,” says Tusshar.

‘Didn’t want to adopt’
Getting a little emotional he adds, “It was my wish to become a father since a long time. I am 40 now and I feel that my family is complete. I wanted to be a single parent. My son looks like me, so I am very happy. It’s just the paternal instinct. I was mentally prepared last year when I met the doctor. I owe my fatherhood to my doctor. I didn’t want to adopt, so I went ahead with this. The entire industry congratulated me and they have been very supportive.”

Dr Firuza Parikh, director of IVF and Genetics at Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre in Mumbai, is mighty impressed with Tusshar’s determination to be a father and believes he’ll make for a great parent.

“He maintained a keen interest in the baby’s health at every stage. He will surely be a sensitive and nurturing parent. Recently, we have had many single men and women approved for parenthood. As a public figure, Tusshar’s brave and bold decision will open the field of assisted reproduction, making it accessible to not just single parents, but also to many who fervently desire to have a baby but can’t.”