Shreya Mukherjee (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 15, 2020)

Growing up in an artistic environment often inspires young minds. And it seems Adira, daughter of actor Rani Mukerji and filmmaker Aditya Chopra, is no different. The adorable four-year-old, according to Rani, has already started showing interest in the performing arts. And the doting mother can’t be happier. In fact, Rani eagerly hopes her child chooses a creative vocation when she grows up.

“Adira sings, dances and at times, pretends to be an actor… She loves it,” says the proud mum. Though it’s too early to predict what she’ll take up in future, Rani would love it if Adira chooses to be an actor. “I’d love her to be anywhere close to the creative side and that could be painting, singing, dancing, acting, directing, whatever she wants to. I feel creative people are just amazing, so I hope for my sake that she is creative,” she smiles.

Adira will undoubtedly be fortunate enough to witness both sides of showbiz — in front of and behind the arclights. So can we see her alongside Adira in a film helmed by Aditya? “OMG… That’s an ideal situation… Fingers crossed!” she laughs.

Talking about giving Adira the required space, Rani hopes she grows up to be a strong, opinionated individual who follows her heart. At the same time, she is also trying to hold back her overwhelming love and constant concern to keep a tab on the young one’s life.

“I do understand that very soon, she will want space, and she is going to tell me, ‘Mum I’m going to be with my friends’,” says Rani. “I’ve a husband who also believes we need to give our children the right space... Being a Bengali, I’m probably the other way round (laughs), completely hovering around my child… Even if she doesn’t need me I want to be there… I know it’s important to bring up your child independently. The one mistake we make is [we don’t understand] that we’re responsible for the child till it is in the womb, when the child arrives, it becomes a child of the world. It’s only when they’re alone and make mistakes that they will be able to learn and be responsible for their actions… It’s nice to have a healthy mother-and-child relationship. As mothers, we should not forget that we need to balance loving and smothering them,” Rani adds.