He is one of the most popular baddies on the small screen, but in real life, Karanvir Bohra is putty in the hands of his three daughters. A hilarious post on Instagram shows the muscular TV actor with a ponytail and blue tutu skirt, spinning on one foot like a wind-up doll after his youngest turns a pretend key on his back. Bohra, who has been part of many hit dramas like ‘Kasauti Zindagi Kay’ and ‘Shararat’, spoke to Neha Bhayana about fatherhood and how he talks so his kids listen

The toughest part of being a father to three girls will come when they become teenagers, when they start having their own likes and dislikes, crushes, late-night plans, and a world of their own. The best part of being a girl dad is knowing that no matter how grown up they become, a part of their heart will always belong to you…and they’ll always love you the most.

I think I’m a pretty cool dad, but I don’t know how I’m going to react when boyfriends enter the picture or when my daughters go through their first heartbreaks. I know it is all part of life, and while my instinct will be to protect them, I hope I’ll also be understanding.

As for things like partying, tattoos, drinking, and all other choices they will make as they grow up, I may not always agree with everything. There will definitely be moments that challenge me. But I don’t want to be the kind of father who controls or forces. I want to be someone they can always talk to, someone who guides rather than dictates. A dad who is a mix of fierce and understanding, who sets boundaries but never stops listening.

The past two years have been difficult being away from them while they study in Canada, and I’m here working and attending to my parents. I miss the little moments we once shared every day. Those hugs, conversations, laughter, and simple togetherness…I miss them immensely. My little one, Gia, is such a beautifully free-spirited soul. She stayed with me (in Mumbai) for a year, and those moments were truly special.

Being a television actor comes with its own challenges. There were days when I would shoot for 12 to 14 hours straight, so many times I’d bring Gia along to the set, and she would just chill with me there. And honestly, she loves the set. If you ask her, “What does papa do?” she’ll smile and say, “He’s shooting.”

There’s no trick in the book to make children listen to you. The only real way is to speak to them in their language. Talk to them with respect, as though they are individuals with their own thoughts and emotions. Explain to them what’s right, what’s wrong, and help them understand the consequences of their choices. And then, instead of forcing an answer on them, ask them gently: “What do you think you should do?”

People often misunderstand the meaning of gentle parenting. Gentle parenting does not mean spoiling your child. It means not getting angry over every little thing. It means not constantly scolding them for mistakes, but instead guiding them with patience and understanding. It means giving them your time when they say, “Dad, let’s play,” “Listen to my story,” or “Tell me a story.” At the heart of it, gentle parenting is simply about giving your children the quality time, attention, and emotional presence that many of us wish we had received growing up. And at the same time, I completely understand our parents, too. They came from a very different space and generation of parenting, and they did the best they could with what they knew at that time.

That’s primarily the reason I chose to share my experiences and the experiences of other fathers as well. There are so many momfluencers today, but very rarely do we get to hear a dad’s perspective on parenting or co-parenting. I genuinely felt people needed to hear that side too. That’s what led me to start a podcast on my YouTube channel called ‘Daddy Adventures’. I’ve had some really interesting and heartfelt conversations with Karan Singh Grover, Raghu Ram, Tusshar Kapoor, Gurmeet Choudhary, Zaid Darbar, Kiku Sharda and many other dads. What touched me the most was getting such a beautiful insight into how they feel as fathers, the emotional journeys they go through, and how each of them is navigating this entire new-age approach to parenting.

I still remember when my dad and uncle pushed me to take a bus alone for the very first time. I was barely 10, travelling from Colaba to Nana Chowk. When I completed that journey by myself, I felt so empowered. Years later, a similar situation arose with my daughter when she had to travel alone because of an issue with my visa. I realised airlines take great care of children travelling solo. I felt secure knowing she was safe, and I could also see how empowered and confident the experience made her feel. I truly believe parents should encourage children to have small adventures and independent experiences — that’s how they become mentally and emotionally strong.

Becoming a father changed everything for me. Life is no longer just about my dreams, my ambitions, or my journey. It’s about them. Every decision I make now carries a greater sense of responsibility because little eyes are always watching.

What I have learned over the years is that children are not ours to control; they are ours to love, guide and support. My role is not to shape them into who I want them to be, but to help them become who they are meant to be.

My journey as a father has been like a merry-go-round. I have chased my kids to eat food, get ready, go down and play, go to school, etc. Watching my daughters grow up has given me some of the most beautiful moments of my life; it’s like a bouquet of memories I will cherish forever.

On the occasion of Ram Navami today, actor Gurmeet Choudhary, known for his portrayal as Lord Shri Ram in the TV show Ramayan, says that the festival reminds him of “faith, positivity, and staying grounded in life”. His observance of the day remains rooted in simplicity, as he tells us, “There are no elaborate festivities, just a quiet morning of prayers at home, spent in the company of my family.”

The festival, he says, goes beyond belief, bringing people together through “faith and positivity” while strengthening family and community bonds.

Reflecting on his journey, he shares, “After playing Ram, the feeling has become deeper. I celebrate it with more understanding and gratitude now.” The role, he adds, has made it more personal and instilled “a sense of responsibility to live by those values”.

That awareness, however, began right from the moment he was cast back in 2009: “I felt blessed and nervous at the same time. It was a huge responsibility that demanded not just preparation, but discipline and emotional control.”

The 42-year-old adds, “Maintaining calmness and dignity in every scene was challenging. Ram is very composed, so I had to control my emotions a lot.” That process, he admits, didn’t end when the shoot wrapped; it stayed with him, shaping the way he responds to situations in his everyday life. “One memory I cherish is when people would touch my feet, seeing me as Ram. It was very humbling,” he continues.

For Gurmeet, the true essence of Ram Navami lies beyond rituals: “It is an opportunity for self-reflection, it’s about being a better human, not just rituals. It’s about values and inner peace... In today’s fast life, Lord Ram’s values like honesty and respect are more important than ever.”

On June 3, Gurmeet Choudhary reported a theft at his home after a newly-hired house help fled with his personal belongings just hours after being employed.

The actor said, “We had hired a new house help through an agency, and I was in the process of getting his documents verified. We were also alert because we had just hired him on Tuesday. I was spending time with my babies when I noticed my headphones and phones were missing, and the house help had suddenly disappeared.”

Gurmeet immediately contacted the agency through which he had hired the house help and managed to recover the stolen items within a few hours.

“I am grateful we got our belongings back and my babies are safe. One has to be vigilant; it’s important to verify details before hiring anybody. I am not aware of the guy’s whereabouts because the agency says he has gone missing again. I have informed the Oshiwara Police about the incident.”

Gurmeet and Debina keep posting interesting videos about their twin daughters. Gurmeet became popular for his portrayal of Lord Ram in the 2008 television series Ramayan. He further solidified his television career with notable roles as Maan Singh Khurana in Geet – Hui Sabse Parayi and Yash Suraj Pratap Scindia in Punar Vivaah. Debina's roles include Mayuri Narayan in Chidiya Ghar and Poulomi in Santoshi Maa. Debina has also showcased her talent in reality shows, securing the first runner-up position in Nach Baliye 6 and third runner-up in Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 5.

Even after 20 years in the television industry, writer-director Sidharth Sengupta often feels like he doesn’t know enough about the craft. This feeling of humility, he says, pushes him to do better. The result? In 2021, he delivered a sleeper hit in Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein. Three years on, he has returned with the second season of the Tahir Raj Bhasin, Shweta Tripathi and Aanchal Singgh-led web series. In a chat with mid-day, Sengupta discusses why it took him three years to craft the next season, and how he maintains objectivity in his writing. Edited excerpts from the interview.

The second season was a little more difficult to write. I wrote various versions, but was not happy. I was ashamed that it took so long. There was a lot of to and fro. I was not enjoying some of the versions, or some drafts were brilliant, but were high on budget or impractical. When I started writing this, I had to think, where am I ending this? So, by the end of collaborative effort and with a lot of feedback, we finally came to this version.

There is no certain way to know that. I remember sitting with Varun Badola [writer-actor] where we thought it was a great episode, but halfway through, we both got bored. So, you keep discovering as you write. The idea is that you shouldn’t get bored. I’m an impatient viewer and filmmaker; I get bored very soon. If you don’t catch my attention in the first 30 seconds, I’ll get bored. That is something I practice in my writing also.

While I was working in television for 20 years, I had these stories in my mind and no outlet for them. TV is a writer’s medium. When I stepped out of the TV industry, I realized I did not know anything. This is after 20 years of winning a lot of awards. When I started writing, I realized it’s such a beautiful art that it keeps reminding you that you don’t know anything and keeps humbling you. That pushes me to explore a lot of things.

Firstly, I’m not in love with my work, actually I hate it sometimes. Then I have Umesh Padalkar and Saurabh Shukla, who keep reminding me that I have to be objective about the script. I push myself in writing, and then I run to them saying I screwed up somehow. They are both great writer-directors. I keep taking their help, we write together. They keep me in check ki main zyaada na phail jaau.

I kept the pressure away from my head. I didn’t even know that my show had become a hit. I just keep doing whatever I can. The good part is that everyone at Netflix has always been [supportive]. There were times when I wondered if it would work or not, but they were confident, so was my team. They all believed in me. I’m not a writer by profession; I started writing very late in my life. So, for me, it’s a hit and miss. That’s why it takes a little more time.

The stakes have to go higher in the second season. A boy has committed a crime, so he has to face the consequences.

I do, but sometimes we need to go a little beyond. I had to put [the hacking] scene because you are seeing an ordinary man doing something so heinous. His ethos or ordinariness has to go out. Having said that, I’m not too fond of gore, unless it’s needed in the story. But there are no sex scenes, which has become a lot on OTT shows these days.

When I was looking for this character, he fit the bill. I wanted somebody who could pull off action as well as drama. [The team] had a discussion and was charged to have him on board. My cast is very passionate and I wanted somebody equally passionate. He shouldn’t be a dharti pe bhoj on the set [laughs].

Tasked with playing the role of a RA&W agent in Commander Karan Saxena, Gurmeet Choudhary didn’t need to look too far for inspiration.

“My dad was responsible for training the new recruits who would join the army, and I have seen him train since I was a child,” says the actor, adding, “I’d [exercise] along with him and have enjoyed doing so since childhood. I like to be physically fit, and am a black belt holder. But the training required for the role of a RA&W agent is quite different. We had to shoot in real location, and pull off real fight sequences. For that, a lot of practice was needed. I requested my dad [to help me], and he taught me how to hold and load the gun, and how to use it as a torch.”

While Choudhary, who made his debut with a teleseries, has been applauded for his physical prowess, (“Had I not been an actor, I’d be in the army,” he says), he believes adding sprinting to his regimen served as a game-changer.

“I was clocking in 100 metres in 12 seconds, which is when my coach encouraged me to compete in the nationals. It helped me build immense stamina. At the time, I was working on two projects, and would, at times, go without sleep for four days. I could endure that because I practiced sprinting. If you notice, marathoners are lean, but sprinters are muscular. And even if your sprinting bout is only 12 seconds long, you need to warm up and prep for it for an hour. I was able to beat sprinters who are in their 20s, and a lot of the credit goes to the strength training I have done over the years. People speak of the importance of weight training today. But, in the west, whether you are a dancer or any other sports-person, weight-training is compulsorily done to retain muscle mass. A lot of that muscle mass helped me sprint better. That, along with my martial arts programme, helped me build a [holistic] routine,” says the actor, who lifts every evening, and practices either MMA or sprinting each morning. 

Weighing in on the popular notion that the success of an exercise programme is “80 per cent dependent on the diet, and 20 per cent, on the exercise regimen”, Choudhary says, given a chance, he’d alter the proportions.

“I have understood that a fitness programme is dependent on the diet by 99 per cent. Only if your diet is absolutely regimented can you achieve and maintain a fantastic frame. My diet is severely controlled. I haven’t eaten a samosa in 14 years, and haven’t had sugar in years. At this stage in my career, I think I don’t have taste buds. I have created such a system for my body that I [don’t want to consume anything that’s hyper-palatable]. It’s a sacrifice I have made to achieve the things I have. In this world, merely two percent of individuals create a name for themselves. If I am among them, it is on me to make the required sacrifices. I have been training for years, but each day that I wake up, I fight the desire to eat sugar, and the urge to skip the gym. But, it is worth it all.”

Along with his fitness enthusiast wife, actor Debina Bonnerjee, Choudhary says he encourages healthy eating habits among his kids. “We don’t let them watch the screen while having their meals. Our kids have never eaten pizza, or packaged foods. They also get different meals across the seven days of the week so that they can be introduced to new tastes.”

- I begin my day with butter coffee. The ghee we consume comes from Himachal [Pradesh]. An hour later, I consume a celery, lemon, ginger, amla, and mint juice.

- My breakfast comprises five whole eggs, five egg whites, and avocado. An hour later, I have a few soaked and peeled almonds with milk. 

- Lunch comprises boiled chicken with broccoli and mushrooms. Later in the day, I have some blueberries.

- In the evening, I again have avocado, and grilled fish or boiled chicken. 

- Before I head to bed, I have a protein shake with supplements.

His father’s name is Sitaram and his wife, actor Debina Bonnerjee’s mum’s name is Shabri. The village he was born in is Jairampur. So evidently, Ram has an integral connect with Gurmeet Choudhary’s life.

The actor, who became a household name because of his portrayal of Ram in Ramayan (2008) and married his co-star, Bonnerjee, who played Sita on the show, says, “I go for physical training at 4.30 am daily. On the way, I see so many posters of Ram ji. I think this is the kind of celebration that must have happened when he returned to Ayodhya back in the day. Aisi hi vibe rahi hogi. Jab main ghar se nikalta hoon aaj kal, log good morning ki jagah Ram Ram bolte hain.”

Choudhary visited the Ram Mandir construction site two years ago and made a donation too. Ask him about the amount he donated, and the actor says, “Iss baare mein naa baat karein toh achcha hai. Some things should not be talked about as a lot of belief is attached. I feel lucky that I got to do that and also play Ram in the show when I was just 24.”

Ask if a visit to Ayodhya is on the cards and the Geet – Hui Sabse Parayi actor says, “Jaise hi time milta hai, we will visit within a week. The last time Debina and I visited the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, we had prayed for our two children.”

Actor-couple Gurmeet Choudhary and Debina Bonnerjee are currently in Varanasi for the mundan (tonsure) ceremony of their two daughters.

“I last came here in 2019. Tab bachchon ke liye mannat maangi thi, toh wapas toh aana hi tha. Also, when you are connected with spirituality, you get a different feel and vibe here,” Choudhary tells us.

The couple, who tied the knot in 2011, welcomed their two daughters last year — Lianna in April and Divisha in November. Since the former was not doing well, they performed her mundan in Mumbai itself but carried her shaved hair for immersion in the holy river.

“We decided to do Divisha’s mundan in Varanasi and submerse both our daughters’ hair in the holy river,” says Choudhary. The ritual was held at the Dashashwamedh Ghat.

Bonnerjee, in fact, has a special and strong connection with the holy city. “My nani used to live here, so I have visited a lot and have strong memories related to the city, its narrow lanes, temples and ghats. A lot has changed since then. Ghats and temples ka nazaara hi alag hai,” she ends.

On their recent visit to Delhi – and in the little time they had – Gurmeet Choudhary and Debina Bonnerjee visited Janpath. “I had really hoped I could go see Banjara Market. But I only got a day to spend in Delhi,” said Debina. This was the first time that Gurmeet and Debina were travelling without their daughters – Lianna and Divisha.

Talking about their trip with their kids, Gurmeet says, “Even when we went out for short trips, we always travelled with them. This time around, it felt like we are on a date after a long time.”

Debina says that the only advice they got from friends and family after they learnt that the two would be travelling without kids was “aaj raat achhe se sona”. “We have so many sleepless nights now. Gurmeet is with one kid in one room and I am with another in a different room. In case one wakes up, she cries so loudly that the other one also gets up. I don’t remember when was the last that we got uninterrupted sleep. But now that I am in Delhi, I don’t know how I will sleep without them,” she adds.

While Gurmeet has been shooting, Debina hasn’t resumed regular work after the birth of her kids. “I am in no hurry to start work. I have done a lot of work, and this is the time I can take to be with my kids. As of now, I enjoy creating social media content. I try to be as real as possible. I present my daily struggles, dilemmas as a young mom,” says Debina.

Unsolicited advice is something that every new parent has to deal with, and Gurmeet says that they meet people every day who have suggestions to offer on how to raise their kids. He adds, “From neighbours to helpers, everyone has something or the other to tell us about our kids, but Debina is very particular. She does a lot of research on every small thing when it comes to the kids.”

Earlier this month, actor-couple Debina Bonnerjee and Gurmeet Choudhary welcomed their second child, about eight months after their first child, daughter Lianna, was born. Their younger daughter, who was born “sooner than due”, in the seventh month of pregnancy has been getting extra care and love from the parents. The mum of two chats with us about bringing up her little ones.

Recalling the time when she was taken to the hospital before her due date, the actor says, “My health wasn’t in the best condition. Everyone, including the doctor, advised me to go ahead with the delivery by C-section, rather than wait and make things complicated.” She adds how she continues to worry about her younger daughter’s health. “It took the doctors a long time to bring her out. I was worried about her even when I held her for the first time,” adds Bonnerjee.

However, the actor has a good reason to celebrate now that her daughter is home from NICU. “The baby is doing fine now. Every other day, she has to go to the hospital for checkup and monitoring,” says the actor.

While the toughest of moments have passed, Bonnerjee is still extremely cautious around her newborn. “She is very tiny. We have to be extremely careful around her. Mujhe apni beti ko kisi aur ko dene mein ghabrahat hoti hai, because she is so delicate. I worry ke kuch ho na jaye,” she says.

The Laal Ishq actor recently posted pictures of her swollen feet and postpartum belly on social media, sharing details of her recovery phase. “It has just been ten days and my body is healing quite fast. Jo problems pehle ho rahe the, ab nahin hain. During the last few days of my pregnancy, it was very difficult for me to move around because there was too much water in my stomach. Now, I have started getting massages and am following a good diet that would help in recovery. I have this maqsad to get back in shape, which is giving me a lot of motivation. I’m happy that my stomach has also gone back considerably in just a week,” she shares.

Of late, life has been full of surprises for Debina Bonnerjee and Gurmeet Choudhary. They welcomed their first child, Lianna, in April. Four months later, the couple took to Instagram to announce their second pregnancy. The ecstatic couple is waiting with bated breath for the arrival of their second child, who will be 10 months apart from Lianna.

Debina shares, “Becoming a mother is a beautiful feeling, especially for someone who kept motherhood on the shelf for a long time and then struggled for almost seven years to embrace it. When we learnt that we would be blessed with a second child, my happiness knew no bounds. We always wished to have two children.”

Gurmeet adds, “The journey to parenthood hasn’t been easy. Par jab bhagwaan deta hai, toh chappar phaad kar deta hai. When we got the news, it felt unbelievable. Our family is complete now. During my growing up years, I heard the saying ‘Hum Do Hamaare Do’ a lot and it has happened to us. Lianna ko uska bhai ya behen mil jaayegi. It’s important to have a sibling, especially when both parents are working. My children will have each other’s company.”

The couple says that the news of the second pregnancy caught them off guard. Debina says, “Guru (Gurmeet) couldn’t believe it. We were in denial for almost an hour. It’s nothing short of a miracle, as we were certain that it couldn’t happen to us. I was ecstatic not only about the news but also to learn that my body overcame medical problems. My mom says that Lianna has got her soulmate.”

Gurmeet agrees, “I could not believe it to be honest (laughs!). I suspected the pregnancy kit to be faulty and wanted to see a doctor. Till then I didn’t know whether it would be too premature to celebrate. Itne saalon tak aisa kuchh nahi hua toh achaaknak se kaise. Achhi cheez ko time lagta hai par ho jaati hai.”

While they are enjoying this phase, trolls have been busy taking digs at the couple ever since Debina posted about their second pregnancy. The actress, who usually turns a blind eye to trolling, admits that it took her a while to ace the art of not paying heed to toxicity.

She says, “There were comments like I only want to deliver children and I am not interested in getting back to my fit self or my career. Many said another pregnancy in quick succession is harmful to me. People don’t bat an eyelid before passing judgments. How can they expect me to consult a doctor for an unplanned pregnancy? They are worried if I would be able to spend enough time with Lianna. What do they expect me to do? It doesn’t happen at will and who better than me to vouch for it.”

She adds, “I can’t worry about people’s opinions anymore. Also, as a working mother, I don’t want to be a part of any race. If I want, I can get back to work six months after delivering my second child. I am not competing with anyone.”

Gurmeet has adopted a rather positive way of handling negativity on social media. He says, “Debina and I often sing Kuchh toh log kahenge, logon ka kaam hai kehna. As actors and public figures, we are more exposed to scrutiny. However, I don’t delve into negative comments and consciously avoid the ones that appear even slightly negative. Toh na hi galat cheez padho na hi aapko affect hoga (smiles).”

Gurmeet Choudhary and Debina Bonnerjee’s phones haven’t stopped ringing since they announced their second pregnancy, with congratulatory messages pouring in for the actor-couple. However, there is a section of people questioning their decision to have a second child just over four months after the birth of their first child — their daughter, Lianna. But Choudhary chooses to cut the noise out.

He tells us, “I do read the comments, but when I sense it is turning into trolling, I stop. Hum jo hain, humein malum hai. Before Lianna, we walked a very difficult path to having a child. So, becoming parents for the second time is a miracle. We are blessed.”

He also mentions having a second child was always the plan: “I always wanted Lianna to have a sibling, jiske saath woh badi ho... Mere bhai aur mere beech 11 mahine ka difference hai bas, we grew up together. So, I think it (having a second child) is the best thing to happen to us. Now, we will be a complete family. As they say, hum do, humare do.”

The actor, who was last seen in the music video Teri Galiyon Se, is preparing to take on daddy duties for the second time. But this time around, he feels he is better prepared.

“When Debina was pregnant for the first time, we assumed that it was the most difficult phase, because one has to be so careful and keep a check on so many things. Even after having a kid, it is still the same because we have to be extra careful and take care of everything about her. I have to admit that Lianna ne humein warm-up kar diya hai to be parents again,” he quips.

Calling this phase of his life the best ever, personally and professionally, Choudhary goes on to say, “For me, it was all about my family first and then work. Now, there is a sense of calm that has entered our lives. Watching our daughter grow up, seeing every small reaction of hers and getting surprised by them all... We are so happy in this phase of our lives, personally and professionally. I think that is the true meaning of success for me.”

Debina Bonnerjee and her husband, actor Gurmeet Choudhary, welcomed their baby girl, Lianna in April this year. The actress clearly seems to be relishing her new role as she often posts pictures with her bundle of joy. The journey to motherhood, however, has not been an easy one.

Debina says, “We got married in 2011 but back then, having a baby meant giving away my career. I also had apprehensions ki break liya toh career stake par aa jaayega. The plan was to find stability first before taking another step.”

The desire to embrace parenthood, however, did arise one day – five years ago. Debina, recalls, “I was part of a show and couldn’t quit it midway. So that resulted in a further delay of about two years. Soon after that, I decided to pursue motherhood aggressively. But jab aap nahi chaahte ho tab bohot kuchh hota hai, aur jab chaahte ho tab nahi hota hai.”

It was during the phase when the couple was trying everything possible to become parents that Debina got to know of her health issues. “When the lockdown happened, I was undergoing treatments and shuttling between doctors, which was time-consuming and monetarily draining,” shares Debina, who was diagnosed with endometriosis and adenomyosis during that time. “It’s an irreversible and incurable condition. I changed my lifestyle completely. I took steps to reduce the accumulation of toxins in my body and also stopped eating outside completely,” she says.

She continues, “The fight to become a mother lasted five years. I failed five times during the process, which included three IUIs and two IVFs. I also tried alternative therapies, like acupuncture and flower therapy. I would cry all the time because I held myself responsible for the failure. The feeling of reaching a dead-end is devastating. ”

The one person she gives all credit to is her husband Gurmeet. She elaborates, “My work, workouts, and having the right life partner kept me sane. It’s not a solo journey. The responsibility of having a child shouldn’t rest on just a woman’s shoulders; it’s on the couple. It’s a joint journey. Every time, I faced failure, I would talk it out with my husband. Gurmeet was always positive and made me believe that it was our journey.”

She shares, “I receive a lot of emails from women telling me that their husbands aren’t supportive, but they want to go through this journey to salvage their marriage. I want to tell them that if your husband isn’t with you now, a kid will not bring him back. Bring a child into this world only if your relationship is strong. The child is the harvest of love. Everything is worth it with a solid partner.”

A few months ago, Debina was trolled for not holding her baby Lianna properly in a picture that she shared on Instagram. Dismissing the incident, “I know what all I have gone through to become a mother. Why will I hold my baby in a way that she could fall? I would get upset initially over such comments, but then I realised that Lianna, my husband, and my family need my attention, not frivolous things like these. Having said that, I am mindful about what I post now.”

Debina can’t bear to be away from her little daughter. “I miss Lianna when I am not around her. The minute I reach home, I wash my hands and rush to her.”

While she does not rule out returning to acting, she is in no hurry to pick just about any project. “I am getting offers, but I am waiting for a good project to make a comeback with,” she says. “I have been shooting regularly for my brands, including the day I was discharged from the hospital. At some point, life has to be led normally,” adds the actress.

Debina Bonnerjee and Gurmeet Choudhary couldn’t hold back tears of joy when they held their baby girl for the first time. The new parents say that their life has taken a complete turn with the arrival of their baby girl. Debina shares, “It took some time for the whole feeling to sink in. However, I was fully prepared, and I knew what to do. It was funny that Gurmeet and I cried so much when we saw her for the first time. Our tears of joy wouldn’t stop. Both sets of grandparents are on top of the world. All of us are thrilled that it’s a girl.”

Gurmeet says that he wants to be the best father to his daughter. “I have always loved having kids around but seeing my own baby brought a different level of happiness for both of us. I want to be a hero to my daughter. People have been talking to me about the father-daughter connection and I have been feeling that. I have been smiling throughout,” adds the elated father.

Gurmeet further shares that his bond with Debina strengthened during the pregnancy. “We were merely 18 years old when we moved to Mumbai. We got married later and have been together for a long time. During the pregnancy, I became very protective of Debina. I used to constantly think about her wellbeing,” he says, adding that he has been on paternity leave for a month now. “I have left projects and the ones which I had already committed to, I took a break from them. I felt it was the right thing to do. I am lucky that the people I am working with understood this,” he shares.

Talking about the name of the baby, Debina shares, “We are still deciding on that. We have decided on the first letter of the name and will finalise a name soon, too.”

Actor-couple Debina Bonnerjee and Gurmeet Choudhary welcomed their first child, a daughter, on April 3 after 11 years of marriage, and Bonnerjee says that the feeling of becoming a parent hasn’t hit her yet. She’s emotional, overwhelmed and anxious, all at the same time. She admits that her pregnancy was difficult, but it was all worth it.

“I have a sense of anxiety combined with a total sense of calmness, if that even makes sense! I understand my own mother so much better now because the emotion of holding your child and the protective instinct as a mother to your infant is something you can only comprehend after you have your baby,” Bonnerjee tells us. 

So, what is the name of their new baby? “Pehle toh kaafi ladai jhagde chal rahe,” Choudhary says without revealing anything. He adds, “But we’ve reached an agreement now. We’ll reveal it when we feel like it.”

The couple met each other when they were 18 years old and have been married for almost a decade. For Bonnerjee, her daughter is her “little miracle” as she walked down the arduous path of conceiving for a long time. But Choudhary says that he waited for the right time to have a child.

He says, “Mere mum and dad ne mujhe humesha pyaar se rakha hai, but kyunki hum middle-class family se the, mujhe bahut saari cheezein mil nahin payi. My parents did the best they could, but as a kid, I wished things were a little different. When I started working, I used to discuss it with Debina too and told her ki bachche tab honge jab meri wo aukaat ho. If my baby wants something, I should never need to worry about it.” 

Finally, they mention that their house is flooded with “rishtedaar and khaandan” just a week after the baby arrived. “It feels as if there’s a wedding,” they conclude.

Bharti Singh, who was expecting her first child with husband Haarsh Limbachiyaa, took to social media on Sunday to share that they have welcomed a baby boy (left). Bharti took to her Instagram handle and posted a picture from her maternity shoot.

In the caption, she revealed, “It’s a BOY.” Following the revelation, several celebs shared their wishes for the couple.

Another TV couple, Gurmeet Choudhary and Debina Bonnerjee, welcomed a baby girl on the same day (right). The couple shared a video giving a first glimpse of their baby’s little hand.

Debina Bonnerjee, best known for her portrayal as Sita in Ramayan, has not been seen in a fiction show for a long time. She last appeared in Chidiya Ghar seven years ago. The actress says she loves the medium, but has stayed away from daily soaps for a reason.

She says, “I have been offered shows, but I am keeping away by choice. Currently, I am looking for some interesting work in the web space. Some people feel TV content isn’t good, but I like it and I think the audience likes to watch it, too, and that’s what really matters. Right now, I am explore other mediums.”

Recently, Debina appeared on Bigg Boss 15 as a guest. Would she ever be a part of the show as a contestant? She says, “Even Salman Khan asked me this when I went on the show and I said, let’s see. I have been offered the show earlier and due to some or the other reason, I never took it up. Never say never because you don’t know when you may end up doing what you say no to.”

On the personal front, Debina has been married to actor Gurmeet Choudhary for the past 10 years. Talking about their bond, she says, “Gurmeet and I are both not very social people. There are times when we are invited for a party, but just a day prior, we find reasons for not going! We are happy spending time with each other.”

So, what’s the secret behind their togetherness? “We don’t have any planned way of keeping our romance alive. Our bond is strong which keeps us going. We have a sense of honesty and we don’t force each other to do things. These little things help us keep the love and respect intact. Gurmeet and I feel safest and comfortable with each other, which is why I share everything with him and only him.”

A few months ago, everyone thought that the couple renewed their wedding vows. But that wasn’t the case, clarifies Debina. “Gurmeet and I had shot for a short film two years ago which released, so I shared a small clip from that film. That was a wedding sequence and people thought it was in real life,” she says.

Gurmeet Choudhary has been at the forefront to help people suffering during the second wave of Coronavirus crisis. From arranging oxygen cylinders and beds in hospitals to constantly amplifying the SOS calls on social media and even donating his plasma after defeating the virus, the actor has done his bit to the fullest.

“This movement is going to get a lot bigger. I’m making a bigger team because right now, the focus is on helping people with medicines and hospital beds, cylinders and ventilators on priority,” says Choudhary, who has recently launched a makeshift hospital in Nagpur, Maharashtra, for Covid-19 patients.

That said, the biggest roadblock the 40-year-old says he’s facing is the black marketing of these critical items. Extremely angered at such malpractices that, too, during a crisis, he rues, “I’m personally facing this problem so often. People call me and say, ‘Mere papa ko bacha lo, woh mar jayenge’. But, there are people who hear this kind of stuff with their own ears yet put medicines on the black market, and hoard essential items. They just don’t deserve to live. They’re black marketing something as critical as medicines and oxygen, and stopping it from reaching people.”

Having battled the virus along with his wife, actor Debina Bonnerjee, in October last year, Choudhary feels that those indulging in such unfair practices should be brought to justice, and everyone should use social media to expose them.

“Strict action lena chahiye. Ab time aa gaya hai ek movement start karne ka. Wherever items are being sold in black, it’s the responsibility of people to click photos of the items and tell everyone where it’s being done. This is the biggest issue everyone’s facing right now. Chaah ke bhi kuchh nahin kar paa rahe hain hum, kyunki samaan mil hi nahin raha. We have to run around a lot and work on the ground level for this,” he shares.

As the country struggles against the deadly Coronavirus, Gurmeet Choudhary is making efforts to help people in dire need. The Khamoshiyan actor recently assembled a team and circulated a number on social media asking people to reach out to him for help. He says that Sonu Sood inspired him to start the campaign. “A few of my friends and relatives, who are financially stable, were struggling to get a bed in hospitals. They would call me for help, and that’s when I realised the situation needs immediate intervention. So, I decided to start a campaign on social media. I shared a number in a post and asked people in need to reach out to me. I was also inspired by Sonu Sood. I know him closely, we have worked on Paltan together and I’m proud of what he is doing. As actors, we have the power to reach out to millions, and I feel this is the right way to use it,” he says.

Gurmeet and his wife Debina Bonnerjee had tested COVID positive last year. He feels the situation is worse now. Sharing his first-hand experience of the current COVID crisis, the actor tells us, “When Debina and I tested positive, things were bad, but now the situation is worse.”

Gurmeet adds, “The second wave is dangerous, the virus is spreading like wildfire. People often call me and cry, log bolte hain meri maa ko bacha lo, save my child, my sister is suffering... it’s devastating. I haven’t slept for the past five-six days. There’s a shortage of medicines, injections, beds, oxygen cylinders, a lot of people are calling us for plasma, but awareness hi nahi hai, people don’t know about it. Debina and I donated plasma after our recovery, we shared it on social media as well and asked people to do the same. But nobody took it seriously, ab mahaul bahut kharab hai. Now, I have again started requesting people to donate plasma. It is necessary for the betterment of the situation.”

The actor, who is currently shooting in Dehradun, says that they are taking all the necessary precautions on set. “There aren’t many people here, the crew makes sure to wear masks, shields and PPE kits and sabka COVID test hota hai har do-teen din ke baad. Though it’s risky for actors because we have to remove masks in front of the camera, kaam bhi zaroori hai. And right now, we need money to save people. Logon ke pass hospitals mein jaane ke paise nahi hain. And even on the set, there are a lot of people who need money. Hum do saal ke liye ghar par toh nahi baith sakte hain. Work is also important.”

While in Dehradun, the actor has been visiting hospitals and meeting doctors. “People told me that it’s not safe to go to hospitals right now, but I had to go to see the situation. While I’m taking care of my safety I feel it’s also important to make sure that others are safe. My team and I are tying up with multiple hospitals across the country and trying to provide beds to them. I have requested a few of my businessmen friends to help me financially in this. I want to save as many lives as I can,” he says.

Gurmeet’s efforts have got him praise from all quarters. He says, “I don’t think anything can make me happier than this. I got a call from Varanasi on Wednesday at 2 am, the person needed help to shift his sister to a Delhi hospital. I told him that aapki behen, meri behen hai, aur uski help karna mera farz hai. I called up a few people and helped them shift her. I want to bring a ripple effect of change. I want people to help each other. Adopt a patient if you can and if you can’t, share the patient’s details with me, tag me on social media. Let’s all come together and help each other in these trying times.”

Following in the footsteps of Sonu Sood, who has been helping people throughout the Covid pandemic, is actor Gurmeet Choudhary. He has made it official on his social media handles by writing, “I really want to help every1 of u in such curial time pls feel free to reach out to me I will try my best to help as many as I can @SonuSood bhai thank u for inspiring me.” (sic)

He tells us the numerous messages he received on social media compelled him to start this. “For the last couple of days, people started asking me for help on Twitter. As an actor, you have powers. I tweeted and it was a big responsibility and commitment from my side. It’s my duty to help them. Of course, you can’t help everyone, so I assembled a team and circulated a number. I am personally talking to people,” he says.

The 37-year-old says Sonu’s extraordinary efforts set an example. “I have worked with him in the film Paltan. Jab ek messiah inspire karta hai, aapko kuchh bada, unke level ka karna padhta hai. I challenged myself. The situation is bad. I haven’t slept for the past four-five days, and been up talking to people. People panic as well. Someone messaged at two in the night. I saw it, and called the person ‘Aapki sister meri sister ho gayi’. In these times, nothing is about religion or differences. If I can motivate someone through this, what can be better than that?,” says the actor.

We ask him if he is only limiting himself to people needing help with the Coronavirus situation, or is he helping them in other aspects too. Choudhary says, “Right now, Covid is the biggest problem. The maximum problems are for beds, oxygen cylinders, so that is our priority. Ab main peechhe nahi hatne wala. This movement will go a lot far. I have been calling hospitals and telling them it is for my family, and not social media followers. After Covid too, our team will keep working, because people will need jobs too.”