R Madhavan’s son to compete at Asian Games: When Dhurandhar actor decided to move to Dubai Vedaant could continue swimming after pools were shut during COVID-19

While many star kids choose to enter the entertainment industry, R Madhavan and Sarita Birje’s son, Vedaant Madhavan, has carved out a different path. The 21-year-old has established himself as a competitive freestyle swimmer, representing India at international events and winning several medals. Soon, he will compete at the Asian Games, scheduled to be held from September 19 onwards in Japan.

Read more:No spotlight, no distractions: Dhurandhar star R Madhavan’s son Vedaant set to participate in Asian Games, reveals his mindset ahead of biggest swimming challenge

To support Vedaant’s swimming career, Madhavan and his family made a major move during the Covid-19 pandemic, relocating to Dubai when swimming facilities across India remained shut. Reflecting on the decision, the actor credited his wife Sarita for taking the call at a crucial stage of their son’s career.


In a previous interview with The Hindu, Madhavan said, “It was an essential decision taken at the right minute because Vedaant was going through his growth spurt as a teenager. Not having a pool to swim would have been the end of his international swimming career. So, Sarita and I were very hassled because all the pools in Bombay, even India, were closed.”

At the time, Vedaant had already won a silver medal for India at the Asian Age Group Swimming Championship. Madhavan explained that staying in India during the pandemic could have affected his son’s progress at an important stage.

“At the same time, countries like Germany, France, and China had opened up their swimming pools, quarantined them off, and made it a Covid free zone. They were asking the students to stay there for months together and train. Some of them broke the world record during the Covid period. It was something that Vedaant couldn’t afford to miss out on.”

Dubai became a turning point for Vedaant

Madhavan said Dubai eventually emerged as the most practical option for the family, allowing Vedaant to continue training under strict safety protocols.

“So, when we came to know that Dubai was open for swimming and people were conducting classes under strict supervision. Sarita just upped and left. I followed her, and it was a good decision because Vedaant excelled after that. The Indian team was training there as well.”

Despite being praised for supporting his son’s sporting ambitions, Madhavan has previously given himself a six out of 10 as a parent. He admitted that his profession often prevents him from being as involved in Vedaant’s life as he would like.

“I think about 6 on 10. There are things that I want to do as a father but I am unable to do because of my profession. And, my wife is a much more hands-on parent than I am. I do the philosophical and guidance part of telling Vedaant what has to be done. But at the same time, both of us are also very nervous because he has attained recognition to an extent that it maybe disproportional to his achievement till date and at a much younger age,” he said.

R Madhavan wants Vedaant to stay grounded

Madhavan has also spoken about the importance of ensuring that Vedaant does not get carried away by the attention and recognition that comes with being a celebrity’s son. He said the focus should remain on building a long-term career and earning achievements on his own.

“So, I am not worried about whether he will make it bigger or not, I am more worried about whether he has the smartness to understand that this recognition will soon fade. One has to take that as a passing phase and earn all the other accolades that he has in mind and then make his own name,” he concluded.

The actor has also previously acknowledged the additional attention Vedaant receives because of his family background. During an appearance on Ranveer Allahbadia’s podcast, Madhavan said his son’s achievements often receive greater visibility because he is a celebrity’s child.

“Yes, I am not going to take away from what he has achieved. He’s done what it takes to get the medals that he’s got. Being a celebrity’s child is not easy. He’s going to get a lot more attention than most of his friends, who might have achieved greater success at the same age as Vedaant. So, we do our best to try to promote the other guys as well. He isn’t the best in the country, but he’s definitely an actor’s child who has managed to create a national record,” he expressed.

R Madhavan and Sarita Birje’s family

R Madhavan and Sarita Birje got married in 1999 after being together for nearly eight years. The couple welcomed their son, Vedaant, in 2005, six years after their wedding.