Kamal Ghorui
R Madhavan hasn’t just been setting a benchmark when it comes to his roles onscreen, but the actor is also an inspiration offscreen, be it as a family man or as a parent. While Madhavan is a huge star, his son Vedaant Madhavan has followed his own path and is a swimmer. Representing India, he is a 5-time gold medalist at the Malaysian Open, a gold and silver medalist at the Danish Open. He also came 5th at the Commonwealth Youth Games. In an interview, R Madhavan had opened up on his parenting style. Long before most parents would consider such discussions, he chose to speak openly with his son Vedaant about topics like boundaries, sexual awareness, and even contraception. He also made sure his son understood both the privileges and pressures that come with growing up in a celebrity household. Madhavan reflected on his parenting approach, revealing that transparency was always central to how he raised Vedaant, who is now in his early twenties. He had said in an recent interview with Kumudam a while ago, “I have treated him as an adult since a very young age,” he said, adding that this mindset shaped even the most sensitive conversations. “I have always treated him as an adult since a very young age, be it talking about sexual touch, or using condom.” He added that these conversations began much earlier than most would expect. “Since the age of 4, I’ve been talking freely with him. This has instilled a kind of trust in him, like ‘my father treats me with respect’, this has made him feel responsible as well. This became easy for me to communicate,” he said. According to Madhavan, this early openness helped establish a strong foundation, making later, more complex discussions feel natural rather than awkward. “I think addressing them and giving them the importance makes them responsible at a very young age,” Madhavan said. “It became easy for me to communicate.”From teaching his son how to respect women to explaining the realities of fame, Madhavan’s parenting has consistently revolved around honesty and trust. He ensured Vedaant could clearly distinguish between the advantages of celebrity life and the challenges that come with it.He also shared a lighter anecdote about his son’s candid feedback on his work. Vedaant’s favourite film of his father remains Yaavarum Nalam (released in Hindi as 13B). When Rocketry: The Nambi Effect released in 2022, a project Madhavan devoted years to, he eagerly awaited his son’s reaction.“He told me, ‘not bad dad’,” Madhavan said, hinting at his son’s understated nature. “He is very difficult to impress.”At the moment, Madhavan has been in the news for the recent success of ‘Dhurandhar 2’ and ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’.
