Divya Kaushik (BOMBAY TIMES; January 9, 2020)

Soon after winding up her day-long schedule in Delhi recently, Neha Dhupia was set to fly to Chandigarh for another event. She was literally counting hours to be with her daughter, Mehr Dhupia Bedi. “I started shooting when my daughter was just 45 days old. And now that she is growing up, I look forward to spending as much time with her as possible, even if it is the time when she is sleeping,” Neha tells us.

“Mehr hasn’t seen me or Angad (Bedi) on screen as she hasn’t had any screen time yet. But we have magazines lying around the house. And since she can crawl now, she saw me on one of the magazine covers and recognised me. When Angad’s pictures are in papers, she can recognise him, too,” Neha says.

The doting mama says that her daughter has learnt some words and she can’t wait for baby Mehr to talk to her. “The first word I taught her was ‘bas’. She should know when to say enough. If the food being fed is too much she says ‘bas’, if she is being forced to do anything or if somebody is pulling her cheeks more than she would like, she knows that she has to say ‘bas’. She knows how to say no. Strong women raise strong daughters and I always tell my daughter that if she is not comfortable, she should just say it. The other day she was playing and somebody tickled her and she said ‘bas, bas’. So, she knows when she has to say no, and she would apply it for the rest of her life now. As a mother, I want to raise my daughter believing that she has a voice and she should know how to exercise the power of that voice,” shares the actress.

She also proudly reveals that her daughter has started showing interest in cricket. “She spins the ball very well. It’s cool to see her do that. We are a family connected to cricket, everyone knows that my father-in-law (Bishan Singh Bedi) and Angad used to play cricket. I grew up watching a lot of sports. So, as parents we couldn’t be happier to see that she is interested in sports already,” says Neha.

After Gautam Gambhir names Angad Bedi's Inside Edge character in his World XI pick, the actor calls out his double standard; reminds MP of his nepotism allegation against dad Bishan Singh Bedi
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; December 27, 2019)

Earlier this week, former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir sprang a surprise on fans when he shared the World XI for 2019, on Twitter. While the list included cricket stars Virat Kohli and Ben Stokes among others, the mention of Arvind Vashishth — Angad Bedi's character from Inside Edge — raised a few eyebrows. This, especially since Gambhir, in August this year, had a war of words with the actor's father, former India skipper Bishan Singh Bedi, insinuating that the latter had tried to block Navdeep Saini's entry in the Delhi Ranji team. The exchange turned ugly when Gambhir stated that Bedi, earlier, had "pushed his undeserving son for selection", thus accusing the senior athlete of indulging in nepotism.

While Angad had maintained a dignified silence then, the actor is not too amused by Gambhir's recent tweet. "I didn't say anything back then because I didn't want to add fuel to fire. But now, he mentions Arvind Vashishth in the World XI, when he didn't think Angad Bedi was deserving of playing Under-16 cricket. I don't know if he realises that Angad and Arvind are the same people. If he feels I am talented enough [to make it to his list], I am grateful. I thank him for changing his mind," says Angad, who has played for the Delhi Under-16 and Under-19 teams.

On the public war of words that ensued between his father and Gambhir, Angad does not mince words as he says that the latter's tweet was "distasteful". "I value my father's contribution to Indian cricket. He was captain for four years [1975-76 and 1978-79] and has led his life with integrity. When we were growing up, our coaches taught us that we don't need to [necessarily] agree with our seniors, but we don't need to disrespect them either." Bedi was India's finest left-arm spinner in the late 1960s and 1970s. He claimed 266 wickets in 67 Test matches.


Angad Bedi at the MIG Cricket Ground in Bandra (east) where he represented Delhi U-16 against Saurashtra U-16 in the three-day Vijay Merchant Trophy quarter-final held from January 6 to 8, 1997. Pic/mid-day archives

As told to Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 27, 2019)

My first pay cheque was for Rs 300 which I got playing for the Under-16 cricket team for Delhi. To make some more money, I signed a contract to play English county cricket for various clubs. We would get around 50 pounds for a game and since the money came immediately it was a big deal.

I would even help prepare the pitch, operating the roller, because I got paid extra for that. When it started raining, I would help pull the covers over the pitch and got more, something as much as five to ten pounds. So, I would keep hoping for a shower on the day of the match.

I booked myself for maximum games and would even help the coaches. During this time, I would wear my father’s (legendary spinner Bishan Singh Bedi; pictured on right) shoes from his cricketing days. It wasn’t just for the nostalgia but because it made me feel like my father was with me all the time.

Every ground had a small bar and I helped serve the orders. I made two to three pounds for every table. After the place shut, we would pool all the tips we had earned and the kitty would be equally divided between all of us. These tips would help buy two meals at a restaurant and taught me how to value money.

I also learnt how to live on my own and manage the house. Detergent is expensive in UK, so four-five boys would share a packet. We washed our own clothes because the laundry was expensive. Whatever we saved, we used to buy something for ourselves or simply take it back home to splurge on the family. I still have some of those notes and coins, British currency fascinates me.

I enjoyed the English weather, no matter how erratic it was. It helped escape the heat back home and also got me some match practice. That was my life from 16 to 21.

Eventually though instead of following in my father’s steps and becoming a cricketer, I decided to pursue a career in acting. Subsequently, I shifted base to Mumbai. It’s an expensive city, I had to pay the rent for my pad and also all the bills. Someone suggested modelling and I decided to give it a shot.

Model-choreographer Marc Robinson spotted me and gave me a break at a fashion week. I did my first modelling job for free. But on my second assignment, I would do three shows and earned Rs 7,000 a day. I needed the money to survive in Mumbai.

Then, I landed my first film, Remo D’souza’s comedy F.A.L.T.U. which featured Jackky Bhagnani, Riteish Deshmukh, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Puja Gupta and me in the lead, and Arshad Warsi, Akbar Khan and Darshan Jariwala in supporting roles. The film opened on April 1, 2011 and I was paid Rs 3.50 lakh. I was ecstatic!

Unfortunately, after that I did not get any more films. I made a guest appearance in Anil (Kapoor) sir’s television series 24 which earned me Rs 10,000 a day. Then, I was offered Shoojit Sircar’s courtroom drama Pink. It marked the entry of Bengal’s National Award-winning director, Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, in Hindi films. The film which also featured Mr Bachchan (Amitabh), Taapsee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari and Andrea Tairang, was a role with shades of grey. Pink made “No means no” the catchphrase of the nation and was a hit. Ali Abbas Zafar saw it and signed me to play Namit Khan, an expert at defusing bombs, in Tiger Zinda Hai, the Salman Khan franchise. And the rest, as they say, is history.


A young Angad on the field

Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi talk about marriage, listening to parenting advice and how they would ideally like to bring up Mehr, their daughter
Ashwini Deshmukh (TIMES LIFE; December 16, 2018)

Marriage and parenthood – you’ve taken on a lot of responsibility in a year, Angad.
ANGAD: I don’t view Neha as a responsibility. This is something I wished to do. It gives me satisfaction. I love her and I’m happy to see her smile. I’ve been commitment phobic all my life. I didn’t settle down with anyone else because it wasn’t meant to be. It never came to me as clearly as it came with Neha.

What was your first reaction when you discovered you would be turning parents?
NEHA: I didn’t have a Bollywood kind of reaction; I had a Hollywood-like reaction. There were no tears of joy rolling down my cheeks. It was more like ‘Oh my God! What am I going to do now?’ It took a while to sink in. At no point did I have an iota of doubt about going ahead with it. Angad was the man with whom I wanted to spend my life. And we were doing the most beautiful thing together – having a child.
ANGAD: There are two things. First is that you want to start a family. The second is with the right person. I’ve been in various relationships earlier. If I felt at home, it was always with Neha. If two people are the right match for each other, the Universe conspires to bring them together. When she told me she was pregnant, I felt I’d hit a jackpot. It was of utmost importance to be her strength.

Did you go through mood swings during your pregnancy? How supportive has Angad been?
NEHA: I cannot put it in words how supportive and amazing he has been. I was about five-months pregnant shooting for a film. It was raining heavily that day and I panicked. He just dropped his plans for the day and accompanied me to the studio. He sat there in my trailer all day. He wanted to be by my side. I doubt if I can give so much physically, mentally and emotionally to a relationship. Whether it’s a craving, a breakdown or anything else, he’s there. They say, ‘We are pregnant’. Angad symbolised that.
ANGAD: The good thing about Neha is that she flares up but calms down soon too. It’s normal to have mood swings. In her case they are far and few.

Neha, you’ve worked round the clock…
NEHA: I respect expectant mothers who want to stay at home. My parents, my doctor and friends assured me that I could work till the last day. The fact that you are strong enough to give life doesn’t make you weak. I went to the gym and also swam. I did get a bit emotional. Like I cried while watching a film.
ANGAD: It’s great to work during pregnancy. She’s set a new benchmark for women. She’s a strong personality, who believes it’s not a weakness.

Did you feel like putting your feet up and relaxing sometimes?
NEHA: I did. There were times when I felt I had taken on too much. I’ve worked so much through my pregnancy, done physically demanding stuff for TV shows, hosted a fashion-related show, shot for a film... I’ve worked in all shapes and sizes. When you have a start like that your child is ready to face the world. I believe this baby is going to be the most beautiful project of our lives. We need to give it our hundred per cent no matter what. Angad and I say in jest that we want a gold medallist for the country. Hopefully, one day our daughter (Mehr) will be in the Olympic squad.

Q. What parenting tips have you received?
NEHA: The one person I take advice from the most is Soha (Ali Khan). Actually, everyone has a parenthood tip. There’s no such thing as bad parenting. The mother who goes to work is amazing. The mother who wants to spend the rest of her life with her kid is also amazing. Same goes for the man. Earlier, we shared the tips we received with each other. Now, we keep nodding and pretend we’re listening. We’re so bored of parenting advice.
Angad: I smile and nod and then just switch off. Suno sabki, karo apni. That’s what my father (renowned cricketer Bishen Singh Bedi) tells me. He wants me to experience this beautiful chapter on my own. He says I’ll learn from my mistakes. He asks me to be calm and patient.

So, who’s going to play the good cop and the bad cop?
NEHA: Angad will play the filmi cop. He’ll reach when the situation has been taken care of. But I’ll be the real cop.

Do your other accomplishments compare with the high of being a mother?
NEHA: It’s apples and oranges if you ask me to compare my career to us getting married and having a child. Karan (Johar) told me this is like the interval of a film. He said, ‘Go get married, start a family and trust me the second half will be beautiful’. You can’t equate this to anything else in the world.
ANGAD: You achieve success, money, stardom... But you’ll enjoy these only when you have someone to share them with. Nothing can give the satisfaction that your family or holding your child can give you.

What preparations went on to welcome Mehr?
NEHA: We made a nursery and renovated the house. Earlier, it used to be a single’s apartment. We got flooded with gifts for the baby at the baby shower. Mehr has more clothes than her father and is inching close to what her mother possesses. We have arranged for help. I’ve asked my mother to stay with me for a couple of months. Angad and I remind ourselves that our entire lives shouldn’t get consumed. We had barely just started dating. It’s not like we’ve been married for years. Ours is young love yet.
ANGAD: No amount of preparation is good enough. Our upbringing is old school. So she’s got a balance of old school and new-age parenting. We haven’t referred to a single book or the internet for parenting guidelines because beyond a point it doesn’t make sense. One should rely on natural instinct.

What are the things you’d like to be particular about?
NEHA: Bedtime will be 7.30 pm. We’ll try to keep her away from the iPad as much as possible. Also tantrums reflect how you’ve raised the child. So, discipline is a must.
ANGAD: Since we want her to be a gold medallist, it won’t happen on the phone or on the iPad. It will happen on the ground. We’d rather spend time with the child than shove a phone in her hands just because we want some free time.
NEHA: We are going to keep her away from sugar because then the 7.30 pm bedtime will go for a toss. So, only natural sugars. We want the grandparents to spend time with Mehr. That’s where children learn values and culture.

What qualities would you like the child to inherit from you?
NEHA: Angad has a heart of gold. He’s compassionate and disciplined. It doesn’t matter if your child is going to Harvard or brings back a gold medal. She’s got to be a good human being. I hope my child inherits this from his dad. Angad’s selfless.
ANGAD: There’s discipline in Neha courtesy her dad, who was in the Indian Navy. I’d love my child to have that and a sense of gratitude. I’d like her to have a middle-class upbringing. It’s not about what we can provide; it’s about appreciating the value of time, money and friendship. People like being around Neha. I want my child to be like that.

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 26, 2017)

After Shoojit Sircar’s Pink, Angad Bedi is gearing up to write and direct a sports documentary, tentatively titled Bish, on his father Bishen Singh Bedi. The former Indian cricketer and spin wizard played for India between 1966 and 1979 and served as captain in 22 test matches.

Angad told Mirror, “I love sports and look up to all the icons our country has produced. Fortunately, I was born to one of them. Now, I want to share his inspiring cricketing journey with everyone. My father has always been opinionated, called a spade a spade, and has dedicatedly worked towards the betterment of the game. I want everyone to know about his passion for it.”

The documentary will feature the lesser- known aspects of Bedi Sr’s sporting journey. “As a child, he’d practice bowling for eight hours. Many people, especially of this generation, don’t know that he’s RH-O Negative, and once, when he was in Pakistan, he learnt that someone needed blood and went straightaway to donate,” Angad informs, adding that it will also focus on the friendships his father forged with cricketers Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and Sunil Gavaskar, among others.

He’s currently collating data for the project. “I have a lot of video footage on my father which I plan to compile with his help. He is extremely difficult to impress so the going is slow,” he admits.

The documentary will also throw light on the father-son dynamic between them and Angad informs that the natural progression to it would be a feature. “But one thing at a time,” he adds. Would he play his father in the feature film? “You know, Saif Ali Khan recently said that it could be tricky to play your own dad. But never say never,” Angad signed off.