R Madhavan parenting secret: Dhurandhar star reveals why he treated son Vedaant like an adult and always valued his opinion

Actor R Madhavan has spoken about his parenting style and the strong relationship he shares with his son, Vedaant Madhavan. The actor revealed that he chose to treat Vedaant like an adult from an early age, making him feel that his opinions were valued.


During a recent conversation on The SS Podcast, Madhavan said he deliberately avoided being overprotective and encouraged his son to voice his thoughts and make independent choices.


“From a very young age, I treated my son Vedaant like an adult. I never mollycoddled him. When Vedaant was five years old, I would ask him for his opinion on what to do. He has grown up knowing that his opinion matters to me,” he said.

Madhavan Wants Vedaant To Learn From His Own Mistakes

Madhavan acknowledged that making mistakes is a natural part of growing up. Rather than trying to prevent his son from making the same mistakes he did, the actor said his approach has been to allow Vedaant to learn through his own experiences.

For Madhavan, parenting is about giving children the confidence to form their own opinions while helping them understand the lessons that come from their choices.

Vedaant Is Honest About His Father’s Films

The actor also revealed that Vedaant is particularly straightforward when it comes to reviewing his father’s work. According to Madhavan, his son does not hesitate to share his honest reaction, whether he enjoys a film or not.

“Vedaant is very raw and blunt when it comes to reacting to my films. If he likes a film, he praises it a lot,” Madhavan said.

The actor recalled how Vedaant responded to some of his notable performances. After watching Vikram Vedha, Vedaant hugged his father, while Rocketry: The Nambi Effect left him telling Madhavan that he was proud of him.

Madhavan further revealed that Vedaant recently watched Dhurandhar with his friends in the US and was impressed after seeing its trailer. The actor said he appreciates receiving such candid feedback from his son.

Madhavan On ‘Quality Time’ And Parenting

Madhavan has previously discussed how his own parents shaped his views on raising children. In an interview with Mashable Middle East last year, the actor spoke about the pressure parents often face to spend enough “quality time” with their children.

He explained that being present at every school event or activity may not always be possible for parents with demanding careers. What matters more, according to Madhavan, is ensuring that children know their parents will be there when they genuinely need support.

What Madhavan Told Vedaant About Being There For Him

Recalling an incident from when Vedaant was around six years old, Madhavan said his son once complained that they did not spend enough “quality time” together.

The actor then explained that his own father had not been able to attend every school function, but he was always available whenever Madhavan truly needed him. Madhavan said he wanted to provide Vedaant with the same sense of security.

He told his son that although his acting career might prevent him from attending every school event, he would always be available whenever Vedaant needed him, regardless of the circumstances.

Madhavan Says Parenting Is About Values And Confidence

Madhavan has maintained that effective parenting is not necessarily about being available every minute of the day. Instead, he believes parents should give children the values, independence and confidence required to deal with life on their own.

The actor has also acknowledged that finding the right balance between a demanding career and family life is difficult. However, he has said that he does not regret the choices he has made as a father.

Vedaant Madhavan’s Swimming Career

While being the son of a well-known actor, Vedaant has established an identity of his own through competitive swimming. He has represented India at international swimming competitions, with Madhavan consistently supporting his son's sporting ambitions.

R Madhavan’s Latest Film

On the professional front, R Madhavan was last seen in GDN, a biographical film based on inventor Gopalswamy Doraiswamy Naidu. The film was released in theatres on August 7.

[With TOI inputs]