June is Parenting Month, and actor Imran Khan opens up about fatherhood and his relationship with 12-year-old daughter Imara. He additionally shares how he approached introducing girlfriend, actor Likha Washington, to Imara.
Talking in regards to the significance of honesty in such conditions, Imran says, “Lekha and I knew one another earlier than we began courting and so Imara knew her too. It’s simply the context of the connection that modified and I needed her to know when it occurred. It’s a part of being clear. Attempting to hide something from a baby is unhealthy. That’s not the way you construct a wholesome relationship.”
The actor provides, “Youngsters do what you do and never what you say. So I wish to dwell my life in a manner the place I’m setting a wholesome instance for her. It’s necessary to talk to youngsters like they’re rational, pondering beings and never deal with them as lesser.”
Reflecting on their evolving dynamic, Imran additionally shares a light-hearted tackle how his daughter now sees him. “We’ve reached a section the place I’m uncool in entrance of her buddies; I nonetheless shout out ‘I like you’, however I’m not cool sufficient to hang around together with her buddies,” he laughs.
Parenting a younger daughter has not been with out its challenges, and for Khan, it additionally introduced a recent perspective to the way in which he views his business. “I’ve began viewing the world via her lens. After I watch cartoons or films together with her, I realise that I don’t like how feminine characters are being represented. Misogyny is strengthened. It nudged me to begin searching for out constructive feminine illustration in my movies as nicely,” he admits.
Imran, 43, additionally learnt to maintain her away from the circus of media consideration that always comes with being a public determine: “I stored her away for many half. Folks would react to me and in some unspecified time in the future, she requested me, ‘Why do folks hold taking photographs with you?’ Then I needed to clarify to her that I acted in some films and other people keep in mind me from there. I’ve not proven her any of my movies, for her it’s nonetheless outsiders strolling up and greeting me.”
He additionally extends this conservation strategy to her entry to the digital world. “I’m pretty conservative on tech adoption. Not simply youngsters, however everybody is just too on-line at the moment. So, I’ve put tips on tech adoption for Imara.”
And when not being a protecting dad, he bonds together with her over rollerblading and even haircare! “I don’t have as a lot hair as she does,” the actor laughs, including, “Studying to shampoo, situation and blow dry her hair is stuff I needed to be taught by doing it. I began off by making ugly plaits that have been embarrassing. However I’m higher now. It’s been a complete journey.”
