Ahead of Children’s Day, After Hrs gets celebrities to give a piece of advice to their younger selves
DNA (November 13, 2016)

Childhood brings back memories of pure and innocent moments and carefree days — spending hours playing games, fighting with siblings, indulging in sweets and getting wet in the rain. As we grow up, we tend to lose our spontaneity and curiosity, and get bogged down by the stresses of everyday life. Various personalities tell us what they would tell the child hidden within them.

‘Let my creativity thrive’: Rithvik Dhanjani, actor
To let my creativity thrive. We always say give a child a hammer and see what he or she does with it. We are extremely creative as children, and then discipline and worldly knowledge changes our thought process as we grow up. In the process our creativity goes down, which is unfortunate.

‘Change nothing about yourself’: Candice Pinto, model
The child in me is active most of the time — I’m hyperactive and fun and that’s me all the time. The one thing I’d tell the child in me is to be the way you are. Change nothing about yourself.

‘Never ever leave me’: Krushna Abhishek, actor
Never ever leave me and go. If the child goes, the innocence goes with it. All the masti will go. I still have that innocence and masti — I’ve not grown up, I never want to.

‘Be a kid at heart’: Jay Bhanushali, actor
Never think of being all grown-up and becoming mature. I like people who are still kids at heart because they are pure and can tackle all the problems without any stress.

‘Don’t lose a child’s instinct’: Aashka Goradia, actress
The one thing I want to tell the child in me is don’t lose your instinct. No matter what problem comes in front of you, your instinct is priceless. Nothing better than having a child’s intuition.

‘It’s always good to be curious’: Dino Morea, model turned actor
Always remember to remain like a child. When you have a child-like quality, there’s a certain curiousity, a zest for life. That way there’s constant learning. I always tell myself to be curious because if you think you know everything, then your learning process stops.

‘Just relax’: Sorabh Pant, comedian
Since I already have a child, I think he genuinely reminds me on a daily basis that everything is not as important as you make it out to be... like ambition. I’ve never really been the most ambitious person, in any case. I think if we take a step back and recognise the fact that babies and children are generally the happiest of the lot, it’s primarily because they really don’t give a s***. The main thing is to relax and enjoy simple easy things, like my son spends about 45 minutes being fascinated by how a car door works. And I’m sitting there doing calculations of how I have to pay service tax in 10 days or whatever and getting really worked up about it and he’s literally entertaining himself with a car door. Basically the point I’m trying to say, is I’m not going to pay my service tax anymore instead I’m going to play with a car door. The main thing I learn from kids is that happiness can be found in the easiest and simplest of things and you really don’t need to be stressed out all the time and take 10 minutes to sort of, do something which you like. It could be the simplest thing like dancing in the middle of a Virar local if you get space, playing with a ball, there’s so many things to do. That’s basically what the child in me tries to tell me, just relax.

‘Wonder in your eyes’: Shazahn Padamsee, actress
Always look at the world with wonder. And never listen to cynical people who tell me that such things are meant for kids, not adults.

'Let’s be spontaneous’: Gauri Shinde, director
I will tell the child in me, I will love you, take care of you like no one else can. Let’s always be this spontaneous and mad and never stop falling in love. I will take you out dancing more often.

‘Don’t ever be an adult’: Falguni Peacock, fashion designer
Don’t ever be an adult. Children have such innocence. They’re carefree and have no fear. I would like to deal with my life — be it any work-related issues fearlessly like a child. I should be ready to take on any challenge...

‘Make your own reality’: Payal Singhal, fashion designer
The one thing I want to tell the child in me is, ‘Don’t worry, everything will be fine and you are in charge of your own destiny. You make your own reality. So, dream big, work hard and love lots’.

‘Make more mistakes’: Payal Khandwala, fashion designer
Make more mistakes. I made quite a few anyway. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. I always wanted to do the right thing as a child. I was afraid to fall, I was a bit of an old soul. it makes you wiser as you grow up, ... because you never learn from other people’s mistakes.

‘Never stop learning’: Gautam Mehrishi, chef
Never stop learning, keep looking for teachers and always believe that the world is your classroom and everyone else your classmates!

‘Never be afraid to ask questions’: Arzan Khambatta, sculptor
Never grow up, never stop being curious, and never be afraid to ask the stupidest questions, if it helps you clear doubts.

‘Keep the faith’: Nachiket Barve, fashion designer
To keep the faith, I think it’s very important. Also to make more time for family and friends. At some level, not to worry so much.

‘Fill your life with knowledge and laughter’: Zeba Kohli, chocolatier
The one thing I want to tell the child in me is that the world is amazing and what we make of it, so make it fun and enjoy every minute of it. Fill your life with knowledge, laughter, love and prayer.