Son Laksshya conceived via IVF and surrogacy was born last week

Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 28, 2016)

Tusshar Kapoor sprang a surprise on everyone when on Monday he announced the birth of his son, Laksshya, last week through IVF and surrogacy. Speaking to Mirror later in the day, the actor attributed his bundle of joy to the blessings of Lord Balaji and revealed he'd met Prakash Jha on the flight on his way to Tirupati.

The filmmaker who was going to Hyderabad missed his flight and decided to carpool with Tusshar, who was going to Chennai to catch his return flight. During the drive, the actor admitted that he was almost 40 and wanted a child while still young to be a hands-on father. "Prakashji told me how many young people, some friends of his, were opting to be single parents through IVF and surrogacy," he recalls.

Back in Mumbai, the filmmaker introduced him to Rooprani Parikh, a family friend, who'd had a daughter through the procedure. She set up a meeting with Dr Firuza Parikh, Director, IVF and Genetics, at Jaslok Hospital, and the process for surrogacy was initiated.

Dr Parikh informs that after Tusshar contacted her, she and her husband, neuro-psychiatrist Dr Rajesh Parikh, had many counselling sessions with the actor and realised that unlike most, he was convinced about his decision and positive about it.

"In most cases, the trigger is usually because a person hasn't had much luck finding a compatible partner or been cheated. But in Tusshar's case, the decision was well thought out, with a lot of positivity. He was well aware of the challenges involved in becoming a single parent," she says.

The process involved using Tusshar's sperm and a donor egg. A surrogate mother from Mumbai carried the baby in her womb. "Tusshar was very involved throughout the process and would regularly enquire about and meet the surrogate mother. He has been graceful and very generous," says Dr Parikh, adding that the identity of the egg donor has to be kept a secret as per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines. Tusshar himself is unwilling to reveal details like the date of birth, time etc.

Point out that it is a brave and bold step to take in a conservative country like ours, and Tusshar admits that while he is probably the first celebrity in India to have a child through IVF and surrogacy, he was under no pressure. "What made me brave was my paternal instincts. I don't know if I'd have taken this step five years ago," he confides, reasoning that there comes a point in your life when you feel you're ready to be a parent. "Then, if you are open to the idea of being a single parent, you find the right people to help you. It's not a decision I took out of the blue, but a gradual mental process that made me realise that at 39 I was mature, independent and responsible enough to have my own child. I'm grateful to all those who were sent by Lord Balaji to help me take the plunge."

He had no idea about the child's gender so when he went shopping in the US in March, he bought unisex clothes, got the nursery ready, bought a cot and other essentials like changing pads. "I was excited to be a father and we as a family were ready to welcome either a boy or a girl," he says, adding that after the IVF, he had nine months to mentally prep up for this new phase. "It's my first baby and being a single parent is double the responsibility. But now wherever I go, there will be the two of us, or rather the five of us as a family."

You wonder how his parents reacted to his decision and he reveals that both Jeetendra and Shobha Kapoor were thrilled and supportive. "Mom got to know first and being the efficient person that she is, she was immediately thinking of where the nursery should be and which school the child should go to. They believe I'll be a good father," he avers.

Sister Ekta is equally excited and like a dutiful bua has been sharing the responsibility of baby-sitting Laksshya. She calls the June baby her twin because he's a Gemini too and she gave him his name. "We waited till he came home to give him his name. Ekta ensured that the spelling was numerologically correct. That's her department and she's good at it," he laughs.

Is his son keeping him awake, you wonder, and Tusshar reveals that Laksshya wakes up every three hours for milk, but he's overjoyed to wake up for his son. "I pretty much understand when he wants milk, to be burped or listen to music. He's not a cranky child, he's calm, but let's not talk too much about him, nazar lagti hai," he cautions, recalling how when his son was first put in his arms, he couldn't believe that he was a dad. "I didn't sleep the night before."

Did he want to become a dad after seeing all his friends with their kids and not wanting to be left out? Tusshar points out that had been the reason, he'd have become a dad in his late 20s or early 30s since his friends' kids are now 10 or 12. "But it's only recently that my paternal instincts coupled with my parents wish to be grandparents gave me the confidence to have my own child," he points out.

It's still a bold step. Does he anticipate any negative reactions towards him or his baby? Tusshar points out that as a celebrity, his decision may have come as a shock to some, but there are several men and women out there who have opted for the procedure earlier, and it's because of them that centres like these in hospitals like Jaslok exist.

"The happiness God has given me overpowers any other reactions and I owe my confidence to other single parents. Times are different and so are the laws, and as long as I haven't done anything illegal, I don't think I have reason to worry about any kind of reaction," he argues.

Meanwhile, he's overwhelmed and emotionally touched by the film fraternity's reaction to the news. "I'm grateful that they have been so positive, encouraging and happy for me," he exults, adding that some friends, some non-filmi, have been telling him that this is what they have wanted too and now with him showing the way, they will.

So what's next? A film company for Laksshya? "I'm not thinking of all that. I'm enjoying having my baby in my home... In my arms," he says. Prod him for a picture of the baby and he reiterates, "No way! Nazar lagti hai!"

With inputs from Jyoti Shelar