Celebrating daddy dearest

In their own unique ways, fathers play an iconic role in shaping the lives of their children, and their approach to nurturing their young ones is just as unique. While on the outside, a father might seem strict and sometimes even controlling, deep within he is soft, giving, and forgiving. Well, fathers are so only because they want to push their young ones a tad harder, help them climb a tad higher, and prepare them for any challenge that life might throw at them.

Batting sensation Yuvraj Singh recently announced his retirement from cricket. In a recent video shared by the former cricketer, he recalled his childhood and the hardships he’s been through. Growing up, Yuvraj lived under the heavy weight of his father, Yograj Singh’s expectations.

Rohit sharma with his daughter

Being himself a cricketer, Yuvraj’s daddy dearest realised quite early that his son had the potential to become a great sportsperson. So, he moulded his son for what he believed to be “a better future” — and wasn’t he so on point? “I had known from the very beginning that he had the potential, no matter what sport, so I directed him to channel all his energy into cricket,” Yograj Singh said.

Father Yograj began to push Yuvraj way past his limits from the age of 10 itself and received no special treatment whatsoever during training. “He’d tell me, ‘If you want to be the best, you must train like them. And if you cant, then you should go home’,” Yuvraj recalled in the video.  

At the expense of being viewed as harsh and controlling, Yograj Singh did what he had to push his son to his maximum potential. And after all these years, Yuvraj has finally made peace with his father, who he fondly remembers as “the dragon”.

The video posted by Yuvraj ends with the father-son duo hugging it out as Yuvraj declares his retirement from a glorious inning of his life.  

Fathers are our guiding light, our support system, and most importantly, our inspiration. Will one day ever be enough to let our fathers know how we feel about them?

For someone who has grown up seeing her father, Kamal Haasan perpetually in the limelight, Shruti Haasan believes that just one day every year cannot justify the role fathers play in the lives of their children.

“I had known all along that my father just did not belong to me. I am one among the thousands who loved him, and I am thankful for even that. My dad entertained generations, and it's my turn now - and it's a very special feeling,” Shruti said.

Hailing from a lineage of entertainers, Shruti learnt a ton of valuable lessons from her father. “One valuable trait I’ve inherited from my father is the ability to be true to my own inner voice, to not get distracted by what others might expect out of me. I also take pride in inheriting his love for music, which has taught me to empathise with myself and enjoy both freedom and control,” Shruti concluded.

Single dad Tusshar Kapoor is donning every role for his adorable son Laksshya. The actor-turned-producer does not, however, care for any specific day put aside for fathers or mothers. For him, father’s day means spending quality time with his little one. “It allows us all a chance to go out and celebrate with our young ones, and an opportunity to have fun with my son is certainly welcome. I'm looking forward to spending the evening with my child, as I do every Sunday,” Tusshar said.