Together with his endearing roles in Baa Bahu Aur Child and Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, Rajesh Kumar wormed his approach into the viewers’s hearts. Off display screen, he’s equally endearing, as he takes the time to ask this author about her day earlier than stepping into interview mode. The actor is again with the second instalment of TVF’s Yeh Meri Household. Kumar, who performs a reserved father within the Amazon miniTV collection set within the ’90s, talks in regards to the totally different parenting kinds of the generations, and his learnings from the present.
Edited excerpts from the interview.
You play a reticent father in Yeh Meri Household. How do you relate to a father-daughter relationship?
I’ve seen my father have an ungainly relationship with my sisters, the place he’s extra protecting about them, and making an attempt to get them married at an early age. I believe ’90s fathers have been like that as a result of they only wished to recover from with [the responsibility]. There was by no means an excessive amount of of a dialog between daughters and fathers, at the least in my household. All of them have been there for one another’s happiness, however the ladies have been nearer to their mom. So, this awkward relationship the place they barely discuss as proven in Yeh Meri Household got here straightforward and naturally to me.
What in regards to the ’90s did the present remind you of?
It jogged my memory of all the things — from the values, to the truth that we by no means obtained bored or sat idle. Both we have been studying comedian books, or enjoying video games. These days, children [are enrolled in] drawing, guitar, swimming courses, one after the opposite. Again within the day, we didn’t go for therefore many courses. If a child was despatched to [drawing classes], nobody cared whether or not s/he may draw. [The parents’ motivation was not that] the children will likely be in entrance of the TV or cellphone, as a substitute let’s enrol them in courses. I by no means noticed mother and father beneath strain [to take care of the child].
Do you suppose parenting was simpler again within the day?
We by no means took up parenting as a problem. This technology is taking it [too seriously]. They’re making an attempt to do all the things [through the kids] that they couldn’t. They’re forcing an excessive amount of on their children, who’re turning into extra dependent. [All parents need to do] is keep a steadiness, however don’t maintain holding their hand. The youngsters must be made conscious that they will fly. As we speak’s model of parenting is horrifying. Typically, it’s obscure if they’re speaking about their children or pets.
Did you study any parenting suggestions whereas filming this collection?
I usually inform folks that my father has taught me so much about what to not do. He did so many issues that made me suppose, ‘Oh my god, I gained’t do that to my children’ [laughs]. On this present, the communication angle has been delivered to the fore. It’s good to look at over what is going on in the home slightly than intervene in all the things. If Neerja [Juhi Parmar’s character] handles the children’ research, as a father, I shouldn’t intervene. However on the identical time, [I should ensure] that she doesn’t slap the kid in anger. That is what I’ve learnt [from the show].
Do you imagine within the idea of spare the rod, spoil the kid?
All of it relies on your conditioning. In case you are too imposing as a mother or father, need your little one to be a sure approach, and wish him to attain what you haven’t in life, then it’s a hardship. However as people, we don’t want [to rely on] screaming or beating to self-discipline kids.
Additionally Learn: Rajesh Kumar recollects 90s period, shares expertise working in `Yeh Meri Household`