Aayush Sharma is learning how it is like to be a father “all over again”, despite having two kids. And that’s because of his one-and-a-half year old daughter, Aayat. “I keep discussing superheroes with my son, Ahil (5), playing video games, we discuss the new games in the market,” the actor tells us, adding, “But I’m still figuring out the footing with my daughter. I don’t have a sister, so I don’t know how to act around her. When I’m talking to Ahil, my daughter doesn’t connect, and wonders what we are up to.”

The 30-year-old, who first embraced fatherhood at the age of 24, feels “it’s different to be a parent to a son and a daughter”, and goes on to share an anecdote to explain. “When recently things opened up in Mumbai, I took her out for toy shopping. I took her to the action figures’ section and she didn’t react to anything, but in the section for dolls, she did! I’m figuring out what to do with dolls now,” he quips.

The Loveyatri (2018) actor confesses that before the pandemic, he was hardly home due to his work commitments. Hence, the lockdown period turned out to be a blessing in disguise as he got the much-needed “daddy time”.

“I got to know what my kids like and don’t like, when they throw tantrums... It brought me so much closer to them. I’m somebody who doesn’t like to parent. Between my wife, Arpita, and I, I’m the good cop. I’m more of a friend [to my kids],” Sharma shares.