Mumbai: Actor R Madhavan has spoken about the parenting principles he followed while raising his son, champion swimmer Vedaant Madhavan. Although he ensured his son enjoyed opportunities he never had growing up, Madhavan said he also wanted him to understand the effort behind those privileges.
Speaking on the 100 Year Life Project by ACKO podcast, the actor explained that gratitude was one of the most important values he wanted his son to develop. He said, “One of the most important skills a child should have is the attitude of gratitude. Although we came from a very middle-class background, I was able to afford everything Vedant wanted because of the kind of success God bestowed upon me. But I also realised that came with its own set of challenges.”
Madhavan said he avoided giving abstract advice and instead used everyday examples to explain the value of money. He said, “I realised there were two things I needed to teach Vedant. One was the attitude of gratitude. It’s very important for children to know that they are privileged because somebody else has worked their backside off to give them this lifestyle.”
He recalled comparing the cost of expensive gifts with the earnings of people working in their home. Madhavan said, “Sometimes I would tell him the salary of my cook and say, ‘Do you know what this toy you’ve been gifted costs? This man would have to work an entire year, living in that kitchen, to afford even a part of it.’ That struck Vedant a lot.”
According to the actor, these conversations helped his son appreciate what he had instead of taking it for granted.
Madhavan also said he made sure Vedaant treated everyone with equal respect, regardless of their profession. “The second thing I made sure Vedant did was acknowledge everyone, the liftman, the guard, the drivers, the ayahs. .. I told him not to address them casually but respectfully, as didis and bhaiyas,” he said.
The actor believes kindness and awareness are as important as good manners. “It’s not just about good manners. It’s about situational awareness. I wanted my child to be aware of where he is, who he’s dealing with and to greet people who may not have as much money,” he noted.
He added that the greatest compliment he could receive as a parent came from those who interacted with his son daily. He said, “If the watchman came and said, ‘Your son is a very polite child. He always says namaste to me,’ I felt my job was well done.”
While Vedaant continues to represent India in international swimming competitions and works towards his Olympic dream, Madhavan said true success lies not only in achievements but also in becoming a humble and compassionate person.
Click for more latest Celebrity news. Also get top headlines and latest news from India and around the world at News9.
Saumya Agrawal has accumulated over four years of experience curating viral, trending, offbeat, and unconventional news stories. Her journalistic contributions span reputable media outlets, showcasing her ability to uncover viral content.