My son leads regular life, away from limelight: Mandira Bedi

By Nivedita

New Delhi, Nov 27 (IANS) At a time when most celebrity's children get continuous media attention, actress Mandira Bedi says her son leads a very regular life and is not exposed much to the spotlight. She says he's not interested in being in front of the camera, but music is his thing.

Mandira, who is married to filmmaker Raj Kaushal and has six-year-old son Vir, told IANS in an email interview: "My son leads an absolutely regular life, goes to school 5 days a week, and doesn't miss school for anything. He lives life like anyone else."

The doting mother accompanied her son to launch ActivKids Immuno Boosters by pharmaceutical company Cipla. Vir participated in a panel discussion with three experts to discuss about the importance of immunity in children, how to strengthen a child's immune system and how that can help moms say "yes" to their children more often.

Mandira says while her son participates in events like this sometimes, he does not have an inclination towards facing the camera.

"He is interested in music, in being a musician. He is interested in building a piano, he is interested in Lego, and he isn't interested in being in front on the camera... That's for sure. He wants to build things, so he has decided he wants to write programs and be a software engineer.

"I don't know where he has got it from though or he wants to be a musician -- someone from the two. I don't think he is least bit interested in being in front of the camera. In front of the camera, he has got this stock-standard smile, which is a really fake smile.

"I say, 'Vir, that's a fake smile'. It's because he is not interested in being in front of the camera. Who knows what happens later, that changes his mind," said the actress, known for her role in TV show "Shanti".

Mandira went on to become a popular TV host, commentator and presenter, and has also appeared in "24".

On the film front, she has featured in "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge" and "Ittefaq", and also has a role in the upcoming "Saaho".

She says she has changed a lot as a person.

"I used to be very impatient, I used to have a temper, anger-issues. I have become a lot more patient now, ever since I have become a 'mum'. Parenthood also teaches you unconditional love, it teaches you to value your own parents. The way I love my child is the way they love me, so there is a lot of learning that comes with parenthood," she said.

And she has a word of advice for all moms.

"As a responsible mother, one thing that I would say is you cannot stop your child from going out there and expressing himself and playing and enjoying. You can't keep your child in a sterile environment... Let your child go out there and experience and get exposed to the outside world.

"My advice would be, 'let your children free a little bit and your children will have some surprises for you'. Like I know, I was surprised," she said.

(Nivedita can be contacted at nivedita.s@ians.in)