In the movie Koi Mil Gaya, when Hrithik Roshan’s character solves a maths equation, he proudly tells his teacher who had earlier snubbed him, “Aapne kaha tha na apne baap se seekh kar aao, main apne papa se seekh kar aaya hoon.” In real life too, there are so many things we learn from our dad. Every kid’s first hero — the father — teaches them so many valuable lessons that goes the distance and enriches them all through life.
And as we grow up, in so many ways we become a reflection of our old man. On Father’s Day, we asked celebs about the qualities they imbibed from their father that makes the world go “You are so like your father” and here’s what they all had to share.
I feel blessed to have comedy in my blood. Comic timing and humour is something that I get from him, I carry it with pride and feel honoured to be gifted with it. My father and I share comic timing, and also timing in general — both of us value time a lot. He is a very punctual man, he respects time — his own and everyone else’s. I have imbibed this habit from him and I believe it’s the most important lesson in life.
— Jamie Lever, comedienne and actress
My dad was a national level table tennis player and represented Punjab several times. I, too, represented Punjab, Uttarakhand and Delhi for 10 years in the same game. So, I believe I inherited his love for table tennis in my genes. Besides that, my dad likes everything to be perfect and in place, and I too am similarly particular. I make sure that I give the best shot while acting, or else I keep doing it till I do the best I can. We both get angry very quickly but cool down just as soon. Also, he is excellent when it comes to accounting, computers and is a sharp businessman and so am I.
— Rohan Mehra, actor
Humility is the one prized quality that I have inherited from my father. Although he hails from a royal background, he is extremely grounded and made sure that both my sister and I are grounded human beings. He treats everyone with the same respect, is very simple and honest. I too am like that and proud of it. I have inherited his simplicity and kindness.
— Raima Sen, actress
I am an absolute reflection of my father. Our reactions to many situations are similar. Our similarities are a little beyond normal I would say. I’ve also imbibed his sense of work ethic and determination. His deep sense of responsibility towards Indian cuisine has inspired me tremendously. My father is a very hard-working person and tries to achieve a very high level of perfection. I too don’t like to do things unless I can reach close to perfection. Personally, we are both very competitive and don’t like to come second to anyone.
— Zorawar Kalra, restaurateur
There are a lot of qualities that I have got from my dad. Physically speaking, I look a lot like him. My built and looks are very much like his. Secondly, my dad is a very strong-willed person and believes in planning and focusing and these qualities are certainly there in me too. One more thing that people think I have got from him is his sense of humour. He is sometimes the funniest guy around and can make people laugh at will. Same goes for me, I guess.
— Dheeraj Dhoopar, actor
My dad has this amazing quality of being patient and positive in a crisis. That’s a quality I think even I have. Also, he never gives up unless and until he has given his 100 per cent to something. I have the same attitude.
— Shantanu Maheshwari, actor, dancer and choreographer
His energy is what I think I have. He is charged up 24*7. I think that’s why he named me Aparshakti. Hehe! I am his reflection in many ways. If you look at his yesteryears pictures, we both have a lot of resemblances. Plus, he is an astrologer and it’s an inborn gift he has, but I sometimes sit down and randomly analyse things for myself and other people around, which pan out exactly that way at times. I know it’s funny, but true.
— Aparshakti Khurana, actor
The one quality that I have inherited from my father is accepting one’s fault/s and quickly moving past thay. Also, always being independent, and being strong enough to deal with all types of situations.
— Pankhuri Awasthy, actress
My father’s ‘never-give-up-and-always-TRY’ attitude and never be afraid of the end result orientation resonate with me. Being honest, caring and compassionate to my surrounding and people around is what I have learned from him and I’m proud of it with utmost humility. I’m also very funny, just like him.
— Shama Sikander, actress
I am a strong soldier like my father. Besides teaching me to be super strong in life, he has always told me to act like a swan. He says that the swan is always peaceful and calm on the outside and no one sees how fast he treads feet under the water
— Elena Fernandes, supermodel
I am very proud of my father for his simplicity, perseverance, honesty and hard-working nature. I wish that I could be as cool as him. So far, I have just been able to be simple and honest. There’s a lot more to achieve. I look like my father too. My hands, my face resemble his. I am not his reflection totally or completely, but I try to be.
— Meinal Vaishnav, actress
My dad’s potential to handle stressful situations is commendable. I would love to imbibe that. I am a reflection of my father in that I embrace and value life. He has taught me how to differentiate between the cost and value of things, that’s one way we are similar. Music is another shared bond. And I’m grateful for that.
— Shilpa Rao, singer
Simplicity, not caring what other people think of me, hating gossip, love for discussing ideas and not people, are a few of the thing that I get from my dad. Positive attitude toward life is also one of the things that makes me my dad’s reflection. I also look a lot like him and we both smile all the time no matter what the problem is.
— Shenaz Treasury, actress
