In his recent post on social media, Vivek Oberoi shared pictures of having a good time with his son Vivaan as they attended a FIFA World Cup match in Qatar. Talking about their trip, minus wife Priyanka and daughter Ameyaa, who are “not into football”, Vivek told us, “My son is a huge fan of Cristiano Ronaldo and was sad that this world cup might be his last. So, I decided to take a small break from work and take him to see the Portugal versus Korea match.”

It was the first time that the actor was watching a world cup match live in a stadium. Sharing his experience, Vivek said, “The stadium was charged with energy. The game was evenly matched and exciting, but Korea scored a last minute goal, literally in the 90th minute and won. We had great seats right in front of the goal post and the atmosphere was electrifying!”

More than anything else, it was what his son told him after the match that left him emotional and made the trip worthwhile. He said, “Post the match, Vivaan hugged me and said that he would never forget this incredible experience. He told me, ‘Thank you for being the best dad ever.’ These are the moments that parents live for (smiles).”

The game also made Vivek nostalgic about the time he spent playing football in his younger days. He shared, “I was in my school’s football team and played a bunch of interschool competitive matches, too. I have some amazing memories of playing football in the Mumbai rains and coming home drenched in muck. Back then, the city didn’t have too many proper football grounds, so we practiced on Juhu beach sometimes and I loved every moment of it.”

Like his actor father, Vivaan also enjoys playing the game and Vivek hopes that watching the FIFA World Cup live has inspired him to love football even more. He said, “Vivaan is a part of his school’s football team. It’s lovely to hear his ‘war stories’ after a match. Even though he’s only nine, the intensity with which he plays is remarkable. The joy when his team wins and the sadness when his team loses...he shares it all with me.”

And what happens when the father-son duo get into action? “Playing football with Vivaan is the most fun cardio ever (laughs). We started playing together when he was only four and sometimes he takes me by surprise, because he’s become so good with all the practice at school. He’s definitely got the cooler moves than me, whether it’s playing or the goal celebrations,” added the proud father.

As he signed off, Vivek opened up about his favourite players and the team he’s rooting for this world cup. He said, “Well, I have no other choice than to support Portugal — my beta is super emotional since it’s probably Ronaldo’s last world cup and he wants him to score loads of goals and lift the cup. I am his best buddy right now, hence, I cannot cheer for anyone else, but Portugal! It’s so funny to watch him take sides in the GOAT fan battles between Lionel Messi and Ronaldo. My beta is growing up!”

You are expecting your second child. How has fatherhood changed you?
We are truly blessed to have a wonderful son in Vivaan Veer. And as we are expecting our second child, we are over the moon. Everyone's celebrating. Fatherhood makes you so much more patient and relaxed. It's not what you do for your children but what your children do for you. After a long tiring day, when I return home and see Vivaan run up to me smiling, I forget everything and feel like a new person. What children do for you is magical.

What is it about Priyanka that you love the most?
The fact that she is so real. I work in a world where everything is so make-believe. After doing 36 films in 12 years, I've seen it all. What I like about Priyanka is that she and I share this incredibly honest, sacred, real relationship. I remember the first time we met in Florence and I asked her what she thought about this acting thing and she said that's what you do and not who you are. That nailed it for me.

Would you like your son to join Bollywood?
I just want my son to fly. I want to be the wind beneath his wings. I want him to dream without limitations, whatever makes him happy . He's not even two right now. He loves nature. I always want him to have that openness. He smiles from the heart and that pours out from his face and I want him to have that always, no matter what he does.

We've heard you are a closet poet. Do you wish to take this passion further?
I don't really like sharing my poetry. I have been writing for many years. The last time it was published was in school. I write poetry for my wife, anything that I feel inspired about. I wrote when my son was born. It is basically about documenting my feelings and emotions. It's too much of an insight into who I really am. I have never been inspired emotionally to write about my experience in cinema. It's the other things, like joy, loneliness, the darkness you feel. Poetry has been cathartic. But has never had anything to do with cinema.

QUICK FIVE
The most romantic thing you've done for Priyanka
The way I proposed to her. It was in Florence on the same bridge that we spent our first date. There was a live band, a horse-drawn carriage and I was in my tux. I went down on my knees with a ring.

The worst rumour you've heard about yourself
I went on a trip to Sri Lanka with Priyanka and when I was back, there was a rumour that I was spotted in Sri Lanka canoodling with somebody.

Your 3am friends in Bollywood
Riteish and Aftab.

The one thing you don't leave home without
My music.

One actress in Bollywood you are dying to work with
After seeing Mary Kom, I want to work with Priyanka Chopra. She's fantastic. I'm really looking forward to working with her.