Debarati Sen (BOMBAY TIMES; June 20, 2020)

Tusshar is known to be a hands-on father to his four-year-old son Laksshya, and the Coronavirus lockdown phase that went by gave him a lot of time to spend with his son. With Father’s Day coming up tomorrow, we asked Tusshar what the father-son duo is planning for the special occasion. He said, “Laksshya knows everyone’s birthday in the family and the household staff, but he has no concept of Father’s Day yet. I guess, tomorrow I will tell him about it, and we will play at home and probably go to the park.”

Single parenting can be tough, but Tusshar says that they function like any other family. “We are just like any other family, I don’t think I have more challenges only because I am a single parent. Couples also have to take up a lot of responsibilities. Often, fathers are not at all involved in parenting or maybe both parents are busy. There are many adjustments, compromises and sacrifices that couples, as parents, have to navigate. As a single parent, too, some things are hard and some things become fairly easy. Sab kuch balance ho jata hai,” he shares.

Like Tusshar, sister Ekta Kapoor, too, is a single parent to her one-and-a-half-year-old son, Ravie. The actor says that they both have distinct styles of parenting. “Ekta has her own style of parenting and I have mine. We help, advise and guide each other. And we are glad that we both have children, who don’t have a huge age gap. It was really a coincidence, and we are happy about it,” he concludes.

Tusshar, whose son turns four today, says a close-knit celebration is in order
Hiren Kotwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 1, 2020)

According to Tusshar Kapoor, the novel Coronavirus-triggered lockdown has been a mixed bag. “On one hand, staying indoors gave us an opportunity to do more, like work from home on pre-production of films, read scripts or learn something new. On the other hand, it is sad to see the plight of migrant workers, be it their struggle for survival or getting back home. Of course, there are the frontline workers—the doctors and other medical professionals dedicated to saving lives, pilots flying back people stuck abroad, the neighbourhood kirana and medical stores who have helped keep essential services going,” he says.

Besides work, Tusshar is utilising the time to catch up on Buddhism and keeping fit by exercising at home. He has also learnt how to make videos on his smartphone. “I didn’t think much about them earlier, but now, I know more about making a short film, adding music, etc,” he smiles. Point out that many in the industry are also upskilling themselves in the kitchen and the actor admits that he is limited to helping (son) Laksshya with school assignments, like making a sandwich. “Laksshya calls the lockdown ‘curfew’ and is handling it well, but does miss going to the park and playing with friends. We take him to the building compound to play every once in a while,” informs the concerned papa.

Tusshar goes on to share that since the entire family is at home, Laksshya is enjoying all their attention. Homeschooling his son also keeps him calm and occupied for a couple of hours daily. “Laksshya doesn’t have daily online classes, only once a week. The teachers share the list of activities for each day, including art and craft. They also give instructions to parents on everyday activities. Children today are very resilient,” says the proud father. Homeschooling his son has served as a kind of a teacher’s training for the actor too. “The next time it rains too much and he can’t go to school, I’ll teach him at home,” he asserts.

Has his son taken after him in any way? “Like me, he’s very good with numbers. Now, he has started to like music as well. He’s also quite naughty, which I wasn’t, but I was very active,” Tusshar muses.

Today (June 1), the toddler turns four, and it’s going to be a low-key day for the Kapoors. “It will only be us and the staff, who are like family. This is not the right time for a big celebration. Laksshya wants a blueberry cheesecake, but didn’t mention that he wants to call everyone. At this age, kids are happy in their own space, with known faces around,” Tusshar signs off.

Tusshar Kapoor on giving Bollywood a second shot and not being restricted to the comedy genre
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; July 14, 2019)

He is there, yet not there in Bollywood's scheme of things. Last seen in Golmaal Again (2017), Tusshar Kapoor's appearances on the big screen have been few of late. He recently took the digital route with sister Ekta Kapoor's ALT Balaji web show, Booo… Sabki Phategi.

Kapoor says his absence from the big screen is not his doing. "I signed several films, but they never took off. There are a lot of factors at play and often an actor can do nothing about it. In one instance, the film was about to roll when certain issues cropped up just a day prior."

Big Decision
Kapoor who became a dad to a baby boy, Laksshya, via surrogacy in 2016 says, "People think I have cut down on work because of fatherhood. But that's not the case. I am open to doing all kinds of films." Being part of the Golmaal franchise, the actor says there is this thought that he can only do similar roles. "But I have also done films like Khakee (2004) and Shootout At Lokhandwala (2007). In fact, my best performances have been the non-comedy roles."

About his digital debut, he says, "Ekta had been talking to me, about two years ago, to be part of one of ALT Balaji's web shows. At that time, I didn't know how the digital world would pan out. Last year, when writer-director Farhad Samji was working on Baby Come Naa, he bounced off the idea to me. I was the last to come on board on the show. I am enjoying the new platform. It can reach out to so many more people out there."

Booo… Sabki Phategi, which sees Mallika Sherawat as co-star, is a horror comedy. "It is filmi masala stuff. There are some amazing things being made on the web, but most of it is dark and grim. Everyone wants it to be another version of what is being made abroad."

Similar Approach
Kapoor does not find any difference shooting for a web show and a film. "It is the same challenge of getting your act together. The grammar is the same, we shoot it like a film, and not as an episodic."

What also helped Kapoor was that he had worked with co-stars Krushna Abhishek, Sanjay Mishra and Kiku Sharda earlier. "Nowadays there is a lot of relatively new talent on the web, if I was acting with people I did not know, we would have to organise workshops first to find the comfort levels."

There is talk about a new season of Booo… Sabki Phategi but he cautions, "It is too early to talk about it. The show can keep running as long as people like to watch it. The audience appreciates humour, and it can lend itself to a franchise."

Spending Time
As he has been away from the big screen, it has given Kapoor ample time to be with Laksshya. "I am a hands-on father. I make sure I am around whenever he needs me."

Kapoor is in no hurry to tell his tot about his profession and the starry trappings. "I have kept him away from Bollywood. I don't want him to see my films, at least for now. My mother showed him the Aankh Marey song from Simmba (2018) in which I featured. He then quipped, "Yeh toh Aankh Marey ke papa hain'. I prefer he watches kiddie stuff like cartoons and films made for kids. I will not sit down and tell him who I am. If he learns about it from others, then perhaps I will have to."

Kapoor cites an example how Laksshya prefers to do his own thing. "Recently, I was in Film City and told him to come over, but he preferred to be in the play area of an Andheri mall." And Kapoor would like it this way.

Franchise Talk
There has been talk of another outing of Golmaal, the franchise he is best known for. "Director Rohit Shetty can answer this but I hope there is an outing soon. Everyone rememebers my character in the comedy. It is fun. Now Golmaal has gone to another level. Like everyone even I am waiting for it."

Wearing The Producer’s Hat
Though sister Ekta and mother Shobha Kapoor have been producing television, films and web content under the Balaji Telefilms banner, Tusshar Kapoor steered cleared of it. The actor has now floated his own banner, Tusshar Entertainment House. His first project is the Akshay Kumar and Kiara Advani-starrer Laxmmi Bomb. Designer-turned-filmmaker Shabinaa Khan is co-producer. The horror comedy is a remake of Raghava Lawrence’s Tamil film Kanchana (2011). "This is my independent foray into filmmaking," he says. The film was mired in controversy when Lawrence walked out of the project citing creative differences. "I will keep mum about it," says Kapoor.

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; July 11, 2019)

After a spate of comedy films like Mastizaade (2016), Kyaa Kool Hai Hum 3 (2016) and Golmaal Again (2017), Tusshar is all set to do a thriller next. “I will be working on something that is out of my comfort zone. It will be a dark film with me playing an intense, grey character. I loved the script, it will be directed by a newcomer, Dhruv,” reveals the actor, who is known for his comic timing.

INTENSE ROLES, TOO
It’s not as if the Golmaal actor has only done comedies — he has portrayed intense characters in Kucch Toh Hai (2003), Gayab (2004) and Shootout At Lokhandwala (2007), to name a few, but it is with the Golmaal franchise that Tusshar gained popularity.

Is that why people approach him for comedies? “I don’t know. I have had more hits outside comedy. I have done films like Shor In The City (2011), the Shootout series, and Khakee (2004), which are not in the comic space, but Golmaal and my character made an impact and became a brand. I am grateful for that. People associate me with it and that’s why think that I like to do more in that genre. Here, you are known by what kind of impact you have made in the last film,” muses the actor.

SHOWING VERSATILITY
Does he feel that it has worked against him? “Not at all. Kids know me for Golmaal and I am happy about it. You are branded with a character, but that’s part of this profession. It gives you an identity and you get that love. If you’ve made your mark for a certain character, you’ve made a place in the hearts and minds of people. I am just keeping my fingers crossed and waiting for opportunities to show my versatility,” says Tusshar, who recently made his digital debut with the horror-comedy Booo Sabki Phategi. 

RESPONSE TO HIS DIGITAL DEBUT
While the web series got mixed reviews, the actor says that he has got a good response. “We have met our target. It was made for the masses who like mad comedies and they have loved it. Right now, there are a lot of web series that deal with realism, are on the dark side or educate. With Boo... we wanted to do something light and funny. And, it is doing well in that genre. There have been a couple of reviews that were not encouraging but I guess they don’t like comedies,” he shrugs.

CHALLENGES OF A HORROR-COMEDY
The actor, in fact, is also making his debut as a producer with a film in his favourite genre, the horror-comedy. He is co-producing Laxmmi Bomb, which is a remake of Tamil hit Kanchana 2. “Booo Sabki Phategi was more comedy than horror while Laxmmi Bomb will be more horror than comedy. In a horror-comedy people either find it too scary, or too funny. The challenge is to balance between the two and stop analysing,” he says.

While Akshay Kumar plays the lead in the film, Tusshar is not acting in it. “I didn’t want to be a part of it. I wanted my first film with someone else as I want to establish myself as a producer first,” he states.

SEQUEL TO BOO SABKI PHATEGI?
To the query on any plans of doing another web series, Tusshar says there is nothing in the pipeline.  “Hopefully there will be a sequel to Booo Sabki Phategi,” he smiles. What about Golmaal 5? “I have been hearing about it, but Rohit (Shetty, director) will be the best person to answer that,” he signs off.

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; February 3, 2019)

In his true nonchalant style, Tusshar beams, “Main toh sach mein mamu ban gaya.” He’s really happy for the fact that just like him, sister Ekta Kapoor has now become a parent and feels complete with her baby boy Ravie in her arms. It’s rare for younger siblings to pave the way for the older ones. The actor welcomed his son Lakkshya via surrogacy nearly three years ago and his elder sister followed suit. Speaking about the new Kapoor in the khandaan, mama Tusshar gets emotional about his sister’s decision and why he thinks she will be a perfect parent. Excerpts…

With the arrival of the latest member of the Kapoor clan (Ekta’s son) your entire family must be over the moon…
I’ve not spent much time with my nephew, but it’s a great feeling that Lakkshya will have a buddy right at home. Of course, it won’t be immediate because the baby is too small right now, but once he starts crawling and walking, the boys will have a lot of fun together. It’s almost the way Ekta and I grew up. It’s an exciting phase for us; we’ll be raising our kids together and there’s so much to learn from each other. I’m very happy for my sister, because the baby boy has completed our family. Ekta looks so happy. He’s brought unbridled joy to her life and it makes me emotional to just watch her with the baby.

It’s a coincidence, but Ravie was born a few days before your mother Shobhaa Kapoor turned 70.
Absolutely! There couldn’t have been better timing for this to happen. He’s arrived just in time and made his naani’s 70th birthday one of her most special ones by far. It’s a delight to see that my parents have their hands full with their grandchildren now.

How did Ekta react when she was given the news about her baby’s arrival?
She was very happy and we were extremely supportive of her decision. It was important for us that she should be ready for this step and she did it when she was fully prepared to take on the responsibility. After Lakkshya came into our lives, she watched me from close quarters. She’s seen my life and priorities change. While being a doting aunt to my son, she also gained the confidence to have a baby of her own. I feel I was the catalyst in her decision. Over the nine months, she always gave us updates about the progress of her child. We all knew what was going on and it wasn’t new to our household, because we went through the drill when I was becoming a father. But, it was still very special because here is another baby adding another dimension to us Kapoors. I mean, Ekta always had Lakkshya; woh uske apne bete jaisa hai, but she also needed someone of her own. Who after her? That was always a concern for us all. She’s given many years of her life to work and has built an empire of her own, but, aage kya? She also needed someone of her own to come home to. What better than coming home to your own baby?

As far as her career is concerned Ekta has always been a rule breaker and trend setter. By embracing motherhood via surrogacy, she’s also set an example for several single women, in this aspect too.
Yes, she’s definitely the first single woman in the entertainment fraternity in India to do this. I was probably the first male celebrity who did that and she had welcomed my decision with all her heart. However, neither Ekta, nor I can say that we were the first singles to become parents through surrogacy. But, we were definitely the first single celebs in India to do so. As a public figure, Ekta has set an example. She’s known to be daring and unconventional. She makes her own decisions and she makes them work for her. Only this time, it was a personal decision, something she did for her life and happiness. It’s one of the best choices she’s made for herself. With this, single women in the industry will also feel encouraged.

Karan Johar and you have become fathers via surrogacy. Do you feel the challenges of parenting are different for single men and women?
(Cuts in…) I have handled both the parents’ duties for the last two years and so will Ekta. There’s no difference here. Bringing up your child well is the most important thing. I feel, having a father and a mother and a complete family on paper is not as relevant as giving the child the right upbringing. Haven’t we all seen families where despite having a mom and dad, a child often feels neglected by either one or both of them? It’s about making the child feel wanted, loved and cared for; letting them know that they are special. Sometimes, when one parent is not fully involved and the other doesn’t know how to fill that void, it affects the way a child perceives the concept of family. As individuals, Ekta and I can play both roles because we have the ability to be protective, caring, sensitive and at times, stern. I’ve picked up more lessons in this regard; she’ll do it in due course. I think the way the whole nation accepted Lakkshya, Roohi and Yash, they will also accept Ravie and give him all the love he deserves. Ekta will get the same love that Karan and I have got as single parents.

With the news of her child’s arrival, do you foresee more speculation around Ekta tying the knot and settling down in the conventional sense?
It’s up to her, no? She will decide what she wants to do. Her life is complete. Now, whether she wants a partner or not, is for her to decide. It’s her prerogative, but I know that she doesn’t need anyone to complete her life. I don’t need anyone other than my son and my work to make me feel complete. It’s the same with her.

Lastly, what kind of advice have you given Ekta with respect to parenting?
I think the first thing she should do, which I feel she’s already done to a degree is, to throw out all the drama from her life and get rid of undue stress. That’s the reason she put out a social media post, informing everyone about the baby and how she got this far. That’s the first step. Setting priorities right will gradually happen. I don’t have any lessons to give her, because parenting is based on instincts which you pick up as you go along the way. The only thing we have to remember and believe is that our life will now centre around our kids and they will always be our top priority. You have to restructure everything according to their needs and happiness. Everything else will follow.

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; February 2, 2019)

Two-and-a-half years ago, Tusshar became the first Bollywood actor to become a single father. He opted for surrogacy and welcomed Laksshya Kapoor, who he fondly calls ‘Laddoo’. The family now has another addition to the clan with the arrival of Ekta Kapoor’s baby boy, Ravie Kapoor.

Tusshar says, “It was completely Ekta’s decision. She had been thinking about this for quite some time. I have always supported her and I knew she would do it only when she was ready to have a child. I did it a few years ago when I was ready for this new phase.”

The doting brother believes that his son has been instrumental in helping Ekta take this major decision. “Laksshya loves his bua and Ekta enjoys being around him. So, I’m sure being with her nephew, she must have realised that maternal instinct within her,” he adds.

The Golmaal Again actor agrees that since he had already been through the process, he could be by her side. He says, “Ekta told me around a year ago about her desire to become a mother. We, as a family, knew about this. Our parents have always been supportive about everything — right from our careers to our personal choices. They are extremely Indian at heart but liberal, as well. Mom, dad, Laksshya and me — we all are happy. They have always wanted to be grandparents and now, there will be two kids at home, so it’s more enjoyable for them.”

It’s double the fun in the Kapoor household now as Laksshya, too, has turned bade bhaiyya. The actor reveals that his son is aware that there is a new member in the family. “He is so excited. He rushes into the baby’s nursery and checks on him at times. He keeps asking me, “Bhaiyya kahaan hai?” When the baby will become a year older, then I’m sure they will become partners in crime. Laksshya and Ravie will be more like buddies,” says the star.

Tusshar, who has now turned mamu to the little one, rues that he hasn’t been able to be with Ravie. “I’ve been shooting, so I haven’t spent quality time with the baby yet. But I’m going to do something special soon,” he signs off with a smile.

Harshada Rege (DNA; September 13, 2018)

The next five days will be full of festivities for Tusshar and his family as they play host to Lord Ganesha. Like every year, friends as well as near and dear ones will drop in to their residence to seek the Elephant God’s blessings. The Golmaal actor took out time amidst preparations to talk about it and his two-year-old son, Laksshya, participating in the celebrations.

WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
My earliest memories are of the festival being celebrated at my old house. Lord Ganesha has been coming to our home for over 40 years. Now, I start the puja every day and the family joins in. In fact this year, I was supposed to be out of town, but I cancelled my plans when I realised that Ganesh Utsav begins today. A lot of people come over to seek blessings.

FOLLOWING IN HIS DAD’S FOOTSTEPS
I started doing the puja from 2016 when my father told me that I needed to carry on the tradition. We do have a pandit who comes and guides me through it, but now, I know the rituals, too. As I’m a morning person, I start the aarti early. I schedule my meetings when I don’t need to be at home. Last year, I had an outdoor shoot, so I was here only for the first two days and my parents had to take over. But if I am in town, I work it out one way or the other.

GOING ECO-FRIENDLY
We have continued to follow the same traditions. The only change is that we’ve stopped opting for super-size idols. If we hadn’t, then we’d probably have to get one that’s taller than the idol at Lalbaug (laughs). Also, for many years now, we have been bringing an eco-friendly statue, which is made of mud and dissolves in water immediately. After my son, Laksshya’s birth, we now house it in the lawn. When he was a baby, he used to sleep in the room where we had the Ganesha figurine earlier. This arrangement is easier as people can come and take darshan whenever they want.

THE CONSTANT TRADITION
One of the traditions that we have been following is hosting a lunch on the immersion day. We always invite close friends, cousins and people working in our office.

CELEBRATING WITH LAKSSHYA
Last year, Laksshya was just one so he knew that we have an idol at home. He would fold his hands to pray, but he didn’t understand that there was a new member in the house for a few days. This year, he is slightly older and has become social, so I’m sure he will enjoy meeting the guests.

BACK IN TIME
Every year, my father visits the chawl (in Girgaum) where he spent his childhood to participate in the Ganpati celebrations. I’m unable to make it due to my commitments at home.

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; August 26, 2018)

Tusshar and his elder sister Ekta Kapoor are inseparable. On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, the Golmaal Again actor spoke to us at length about his relationship with his producer behna and how their bond has only grown stronger with time. Excerpts:

What are your earliest memories of Raksha Bandhan?
We used to be quite kicked about it during our childhood. Our cousins would come over and we, boys, would ensure that other girls from the building tied us a rakhi. We would compete amongst ourselves about who had the maximum number of them! Now, it’s not the same anymore. Whenever Ekta and I get time on that day, we celebrate and meet. If I’m not in town, she keeps my rakhi or sends it over to me. It’s a tradition we follow. but today, we don’t adhere to timings as strictly as before.

You and Ekta are extremely close to each other. How has your bond changed over the years?
We fought a lot as kids mainly because we were so close to each other in terms of age. But over the years, we have stopped interfering in each other’s lives and we are like friends now. We don’t have to share anything anymore — previously, we used to share the same room and car. Besides living in the same house, there’s nothing we do together — we have our own careers and set of friends and we don’t mix them. It’s healthy that way. We give each other a lot of space now.

Does Ekta tie a rakhi to your son, Laksshya, too?
Laksshya is just two, so Ekta tied him rakhi just for fun last year. She will do the same this time, too. She loves festivals, likes to follow rituals and buy gifts.

Do you both talk about each other’s lives regularly?
We hardly meet. On days when we are at Laksshya’s nursery, we talk a lot. Or if we are at some family dinner, then we catch up with each other. Otherwise, we don’t really sit and chat, it’s not like a formal thing between us.

What do you gift each other?
I just bought her a pair of shoes, some perfumes and cosmetics for rakhi. I was in the US last week, so I got some stuff from there for Raksha Bandhan. She buys me gifts throughout the year. Recently, she gave me a travelling bag but I didn’t realised that she had put a lot of things inside it — there were perfumes and T-shirts etc.

Ekta and you have collaborated on quite a few films in the past. Are there plans of working together again?
In fact, we are collaborating on a project. Ekta will be a part of it in a different way — not exactly as a producer. It will be an exciting announcement, but we will make it at the right time.

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; June 18, 2018)

You don’t need a special occasion to appreciate the relationship between a father and son, but Father’s Day does give a chance to celebrate these special moments. Tusshar Kapoor did just that on Sunday, as he took his two-yearold son Laksshya for an outing followed by lunch. They visited a children’s play area in Andheri, followed by a meal at his favourite restaurant in the suburb and ended the day with a visit to his best friend’s place.

“Laksshya is too small to understand the concept of Father’s Day. On this day, what I would really want to do is spend some precious time with him. I make it a point to plan my life around him and not the other way round. Every Sunday, I take him to this play area for kids in Andheri. Interacting with other kids makes him happy. When it’s not raining, we go to a playground. This Sunday, while giving him a bath, I thought we could extend our outing and have lunch together followed by a relaxed afternoon at my friend’s place. The weather seems just right for a Sunday like this. As for gifts, we’ll probably open one of his birthday presents which are at home, unopened,” says Tusshar, adding, “I’ve stopped feeling the need for company since Laksshya has come into my life. I can step out with him for shopping or for lunch.”

Tusshar also loves showering attention on his father, Jeetendra. When we asked him what he did for his dad on Father’s Day, the actor says, “He joined my son and me for lunch in Andheri. The three of us had a great time together, something my dad really cherishes. I don’t do anything special on Father’s Day for my dad because he doesn’t fancy the concept of celebrating specific days. He’s from a generation that believed in loving their parents, irrespective of a day or a situation.”

Talking about doing something special for one’s parents, Tusshar says, “The best thing that I can do for my parents is to leave Laksshya with them for the whole day or an entire evening when I am away. Parents leave their kids with the grandparents when they go to work. I ensure that I do everything required for Lakkshya and I plan my days in a manner that my son is never out of my sight. My parents get overjoyed when I leave him with them because they get to spend time with Laksshya without my supervision.”

For the last two years, Tusshar has been a popular single father. Being a hands-on daddy has been his greatest joy and achievement. “So many mothers have asked me how I manage my son on my own,” he says, adding, “I just tell everyone that whatever I do for my son stems from the fact that I wanted to be a parent. When you have that feeling, you find a way to work your life around your little one.”

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; November 14, 2017)

Tusshar Kapoor decided to opt for surrogacy and have a baby. That was last year. His son Laksshya is over a year-old now and like Tusshar admits, is the “happiest thing to have happened to him”. Unike most other dads in Bollywood, Tusshar is way more hands-on. Because he’s a single parent, the actor takes his responsibilites and daddy duties way more seriously. His happiness is evident, as we corner him for a quick chat on life post fatherhood. Over to the new daddy in town...

As a father, have your choices changed?
No, not at all. I don’t think like that at all. I’m not that kind of a dad. If my son doesn’t like my films, he doesn’t need to watch it. He has the right to make his own choices. He also has his grandfather’s movies. Woh sab ki filmein dekh sakta hai and not just mine. So he can watch whatever he likes. I don’t make movies for any personal reasons. I have never steered my career in any way because of that. I have always done films from an audience’s perspective. I don’t have that air ki ‘mera beta yeh nahi dekhega, woh nahi dekhega’.

Do you feel more settled in life now?
I feel very secure and settled, personally. Fatherhood has completed my life. Laksshya is a happy baby and my world seems more proper and more complete now with him. He transfers his happiness to me all the time.

Is your parenting style similar to your dad’s?
Not at all. I’m way more hands-on than him. He’s a typical Indian male where the man goes to work and the wife takes care of the kids. But again, it’s very different when you are a single parent. So I won’t compare. Maybe, if I were married, I wouldn’t have been so hands-on. My dad’s emotional but he’s more work-oriented because the family was his responsibility. I’m more of a father-cum-mother. I have to be.

How has Laksshya changed Ekta?
Laksshya’s mornings start with his bua. He wakes up and wants to go to her room. Because they are always up to some masti. He plays for half-an-hour with her and now, Ekta’s routines have completely changed. Her mornings are dedicated to Lakshhya. She also keeps saying that starting the day with him makes her feel the day will go well for her. Everyone knows that over the years, Ekta has calmed down so much. As a producer, she has settled down. She’s come into her own as a human being and this has changed her even more. She feels more complete. Lakshhya is like Ekta’s firstborn, too.

How was it having Laksshya on the sets?
I couldn’t bring him on the YRF sets because there was too much loban. I couldn’t take him to Ramoji as well because it was too hot in April. But I had him on set a lot, in and around the van. In YRF, we used to roam around in that area. He used to come every day — not to the sets but around — when we used to shoot. Laksshya is the most Bollywood-ised baby of 2017. I just hope he grows up to see 15-20 Golmaals and this was anyway the first film I showed him. It’s so kid-friendly. So, before the release, one day he was watching cartoons on TV and suddenly a promo of Golmaal Again played and he was like, ‘Ae, papa!’ (laughs). He is only 16-months but he’s quite smart. He knows all the animals and everything. I took him to the sets where he was with me, watching all of us as well.

How did you balance work and fatherhood while shooting?
I was very nervous before I started shooting, thinking kaise hoga. I used to think I’d have to wake up at 5 am, sit with him from 6 am for two hours before I get ready for shoot. So, yes, I used to wake up and sometimes leave without seeing him or just spend half-an-hour with him and leave. That separation time is also very healthy, I am told. Also, shooting for Golmaal Again has been really easy because, luckily, the set in Mumbai was close to home and the outdoor was in Hyderabad and not a foreign country.

Laksshya would always come to the sets around 4.30-5 pm. Maybe, Rohit (Shetty) would plan it that way but the moment he used to come, there would be a break on the sets — either the lights needed to be changed or something had to be done. So, I used to be with him and roam around with him in the outdoor area. At 6-6.30 pm, they’d ask me to get ready for the shot in half-an-hour.

Laksshya and Taimur look like friends already. Has your relationship with Bebo also evolved after parenthood?
It’s the same. We don’t meet that often. Now, thanks to our kids, at least we meet every now and then. The kids are not really aware because they still don’t know each other. At this age, they are just happy playing with each other. They are just familiar with the face. They are too young to recognise that strongly and miss each other. Taimur and Laksshya are at an age where they want to be around each other to just play. The whole sharing and playing, with these kids only, will come when they are two-three.

Like both of you, your kids are also going to be best friends then...
That completely depends on what school they go to. Kids make friends at schools, colleges and then in the profession that they choose. It’s too filmi to predict that Laksshya and Taimur will be best friends too. People like assuming things and that’s fine. I grew up with a lot of my father’s friends’ kids. I had Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, Goldie Behl, Hrithik Roshan and today, we’re just family friends. We have our own groups.

Why didn’t you get Laksshya to do a cameo in Golmaal Again like AbRam did in Happy New Year?
No, he’s too young to make a cameo; maybe in the next Golmaal film (laughs). Iss baar kisi ne puchha hi nahi, offer nahi aaya! He was anyway on the sets. If someone had asked me, I’d have given it a thought.

Have you thought about a school for him yet?
I take him to a pre-playschool. This is even before playschool begins next year. Right now, he is just 16-months-old. We used to start with nursery. But, now, there’s this parent toddler thing, which I take him to, thrice a week. I have never missed any of those sessions with him. I am still contemplating about which school to send him to, but I have decided on the playschool. That is near my house so it’ll be convenient.

Hiren Kotwani (BOMBAY TIMES; June 1, 2017)

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; March 6, 2017)

Tusshar Kapoor on being Bollywood’s most famous single father and how it has changed him
Meena Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 4, 2016)


It’s 6pm when I step into Krishna, superstar Jeetendra’s Juhu bungalow. The Kapoor household, usually quiet at this hour, is now abuzz with life courtesy its latest entrant, Laksshya Kapoor, Tusshar’s six-month-old son. And abundant signs point to this new star in the Kapoor khandaan — a stroller parked within the premises, domestic help collecting toys of every shape and size scattered across the living room. Within minutes, Tusshar Kapoor strides in with his son. He blames the nip in the air for Laksshya’s white beanie and matching mittens. “Not taking chances with him catching a cold,’’ the actor smiles. As he settles down with his son firmly ensconced in his lap, a domestic help offers to take charge of the baby, but Tusshar politely turns down her offer. “He’s normally with me from four to seven in the evenings.’’ Pointing at a hard cover copy of Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Dr Mark Weissbluth, he says, “That’s what I’m reading. Bringing up Laksshya is my only focus.’’

Tusshar’s mind trails back a few years, as he recollects the time when he shared his plans to adopt a child with his family. “So when I did turn 40 on November 20 this year and got their blessings, I felt secure. There was a little apprehension before actually implementing my decision of having a baby through IVF and surrogacy. But that disappeared as I started preparing for the most challenging role in life. Now, I realise this little fellow sitting on my lap is the biggest joy I have ever experienced in all these 40 years,” he says with pride.

Dabbling in diapers

At this point, Laksshya seems a bit restless and Tusshar excuses himself to tuck his little one to bed. He returns soon after completing his new parental duties. “Earlier, everything was about me. I would fuss over inconsequential things. Now, it is all about my son.’’ Taking us through Laksshya’s schedule, which starts at 7am, Tusshar shares that he tries being around from the very moment his son wakes up. “I know everything from his feed to his poop schedule by heart. I also take him to the park or for a drive between four and seven in the evening. Once back, it is time for his feed and then he’s off to sleep.” Laksshya, we learn, isn’t a moody baby, but when he does throw a fit on the odd occasion, his father has a trick up his sleeve: “The moment I whisper into his ears, ‘Laksshya sleep for two hours. When you wake up, I will take you ghoomi-ghoomi (for an outing)’, he falls asleep. I think his subconscious mind absorbs whatever I say. This has not ceased to amaze me.” The actor, who is now accustomed to changing his son’s diapers, feels that his boy can be a handful at times. “He’s a sorted boy with some nakhras. For example, he wants to change the activities around him every half hour, so I plan his schedule accordingly. Whether it is taking him along to the temple or the club, I have to plan ahead.’’ The actor’s new life as a single father allows him to relate to a life lesson shared once by friend Karisma Kapoor told him once. “She said, ‘Once you have kids, you leave everything else behind and focus only on bringing up your children right’. Now I understand fully well what Karisma meant because today, everything I do is about Laksshya.’’

A lot more than child’s play

Clapping his hands, he adds, “I am reliving my own childhood with him. When I sit on Laksshya’s play mat and he’s having his tummy time (lying on his tummy), I keep myself amused with his toys,” says the actor, who credits his son for his newly acquired planning skills. “Earlier, my time management was pathetic. Since, I was the centre of my own universe, I had a lot of time to waste. Now, I don’t have that privilege. I plan my meals, watch a movie or do anything only after my son has fallen asleep. Earlier, I would drag my feet around the house. Now, if I have an event the next day, I sort out my wardrobe on the previous evening,” he adds. The actor also reflects on when his father Jeetendra was a reigning superstar and could barely attribute much time for the family. “Honestly, he is oblivious to what it’s like to queue up for school admissions,” shares Laksshya’s father, who has already shortlisted schools for his son, who turned six months old on December 1. “When Ekta and I were growing up, we barely saw our father because he was such a busy actor. The conventional family construct, where both parents are around, is great. But I think it is most important that a child grows up in an atmosphere of love and care. My parents are better grandparents than they were parents because back then, things were different. Now each of us has taken it upon ourselves to ‘weave some Laksshya time’ into our lives.’’

Tusshar, who starts shooting Golmaal Again in January, plans to take Laksshya along “at least for a couple of hours each day”. “I am not shy about being a single father and I’m confident that when he is old enough to understand, I will be able to chat with him and make him understand how things are different as far as he is concerned. I will be able to tell him that he doesn’t have a mother around him, but he has the rest of us. I think the degree of honesty and transparency we have maintained about Laksshya is good for his psychology,” says Tusshar, as he goes back to play the most important role for him at the moment.