Actor R Madhavan has opened up about the parenting lessons he wanted to pass on to his son, Vedaant Madhavan, saying it was important that the young swimming champion understood the value of gratitude despite growing up in a privileged environment. The actor revealed that while he could afford to give his son almost everything he wanted, he made a conscious effort to ensure Vedaant never took that lifestyle for granted.
Speaking on Radhika Gupta’s 100 Year Life Project by ACKO on YouTube, Madhavan reflected on balancing success with parenting and explained why he wanted his son to remain humble as he pursued his dream of winning an Olympic medal for India.
R Madhavan on son Vedaant’s upbringing
Recalling Vedaant’s upbringing, Madhavan said, “One of the most important skills a child should have is the attitude of gratitude.”
The actor explained that although he came from a middle-class background, his success allowed him to provide his son with comforts he never had. However, he also realised that privilege came with responsibility.
“I realised there were two things I needed to teach Vedaant. 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 said.
To drive the lesson home, Madhavan would often put everyday luxuries into perspective. He recalled telling Vedaant about the salary of their cook and comparing it with the cost of an expensive toy.
“I would tell him, ‘Do you know what this toy you’ve been gifted costs? This man would have to work an entire year to afford even a part of it.’ That struck Vedaant a lot,” he shared.
R Madhavan’s parenting philosophy
Apart from gratitude, Madhavan wanted his son to respect every individual regardless of their profession.
He revealed that he insisted Vedaant greet everyone, from security guards and lift operators to drivers and domestic staff, with respect, addressing them as “bhaiya” or “didi” rather than casually.
“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,” the actor explained.
Vedaant Madhavan is currently regarded as one of India’s brightest young swimmers, having won multiple medals at international competitions, including the Malaysian Open, Danish Open, Latvian Open and Thailand Open. He also finished fifth at the Commonwealth Youth Games and continues to train with the goal of representing India at the Olympics.
On the work front, Madhavan was last seen in Dhurandhar, where his performance as Intelligence Bureau director Ajay Sanyal earned widespread praise. He will next be seen in GDN, Adhirshtasaali and Circle.
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