Doting Daughters
Taking their parents folks everywhere or being emotionally available, daughters seem to be more reliable.
Despite the national obsession with sons, there are enough real-life examples to show that daughters are usually the ones who take care of their parents till the very end.
It’s lovely to have a son, but ask most parents today and they will tell you, “Not more than one boy, thank you!” Why? Because usually, it’s the daughters who come forward to take on the responsibility of their parents. Sons may provide financial assistance and love, but when it comes to physically spending time, taking their folks everywhere or being emotionally available, daughters seem to be more reliable.
Take a look at our Bollywood actresses for proof. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is always seen with her mother. Whether it is at Cannes or at home in Mumbai, she includes her in all aspects of her life. Now that she has lost her father, Ash is said to have become even more protective of Brinda Rai and is insisting that she move in with her and Abhishek as she doesn’t want her mum living in an empty house. Shilpa Shetty is another wonderful daughter. Her parents were her constant companions and her mother continues to accompany her and hubby Raj Kundra on holidays, remaining a daily presence in their life after Shilpa’s dad passed away.
Priyanka Chopra’s mother Madhu doesn’t have to ever worry about being alone after her husband’s death because she has her daughter. With Priyanka’s encouragement, Madhu is a producer now and no matter how crazy PC’s work schedule is, she is available for her mum at any time. The Kapoor girls, Kareena and Karisma, are pillars of strength for mom Babita. Despite Babita and husband Randhir having had differences, the daughters are there for both their parents.
Asha Parekh, Hema Malini, Shabana Azmi and Raveena Tandon are some of the other exemplary daughters in showbiz. From sacrificing personal ‘me-time’ to cutting down their professional commitments, these actresses haven’t thought twice before making every possible adjustment and compromise to keep their aging parents happy.
Says Raveena Tandon, “What is there to talk about in looking after parents? They are the ones who make you who you are. Without them one is nothing. Today when I have my own two kids to look after, I realise how difficult it must have been for my mother to give a normal upbringing to my brother Rajiv and me. Filmy kids don’t have a normal childhood, but my mother made sure we did all the things that kids in families outside the industry did. My father (filmmaker Ravi Tandon) went through career ups and downs but my mother made sure we never experienced any of it. I wish I can be half as good a parent as my mother.”
Describing her mother, Shabana Azmi says, “At 88, Mashallah, Shaukat Kaifi is my mother, my child and my friend. Warm, compassionate and generous, but brutally frank. Her memory is failing, but she remembers lines from a play that she did at age 10! We have been best of friends since she lost my abba (father Kaifi Azmi). She continues to be a fabulous hostess and her love for sarees has only increased with time.” Shabana adds, “When Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen wrote a glowing review of her memoirs Kaifi & I, she bought 16 sarees for herself at one go! When I gasped that I had never done that in my life, pat came her answer, ‘Well, Amartya Sen has never praised you during your life so far.’ My mom is a riot!”
Asha Parekh and Hema Malini, who lost their mothers years ago, have still not gotten over the loss. “My mother and I were always exchanging roles. Sometimes she looked after me and often, I looked after her. After she passed away, my father and I lost our best friend,” says Asha. Adds Hema, “My mother looked after every need of mine and my brother’s. I tried to be as competent as my mother. ”