Karanvir Bohra, known for his villainous roles on television, is a doting father to three daughters in real life. A recent Instagram post showed the actor wearing a blue tutu skirt and ponytail, spinning like a wind-up doll after his youngest daughter pretended to turn a key on his back. Bohra, star of shows like 'Kasauti Zindagi Kay' and 'Shararat', spoke to Neha Bhayana about fatherhood and his parenting philosophy.
Challenges and Joys of Being a Girl Dad
Bohra says the toughest part of fathering three girls will come during their teenage years, when they develop their own likes, dislikes, crushes, and late-night plans. The best part, he notes, is knowing that no matter how grown up they become, a part of their heart will always belong to him.
Cool Dad vs. Conservative Dad
Bohra describes himself as a "pretty cool dad" but admits uncertainty about handling future boyfriends and heartbreaks. He wants to be understanding rather than controlling, guiding his daughters through choices like partying, tattoos, and drinking. "I don't want to be the kind of father who controls or forces," he says, emphasizing the importance of being someone they can always talk to.
Living Apart for Education
During the pandemic, Bohra enrolled his twin daughters, Bella and Vienna, in a school in Canada with their mother, Teejay Sidhu. His younger daughter Gia later joined them. The actor says the past two years have been difficult being away from them while he works in Mumbai and cares for his parents. He misses the daily moments of hugs, conversations, and laughter. Gia stayed with him for a year, often accompanying him to TV sets where she loved watching him shoot.
Getting Kids to Listen
Bohra believes there is no trick to making children listen. The key is to speak their language with respect, treating them as individuals with their own thoughts. He advises explaining right from wrong and asking gently, "What do you think you should do?"
On Gentle Parenting
Bohra clarifies that gentle parenting is not about spoiling children. It means not getting angry over every little thing and guiding them with patience. He stresses giving children quality time and emotional presence, acknowledging that his own parents did their best with the knowledge they had.
Parenting with Karanvir Bohra
Bohra started a YouTube podcast called 'Daddy Adventures' to share fathers' perspectives on parenting and co-parenting. He has hosted conversations with celebrities like Karan Singh Grover, Raghu Ram, Tusshar Kapoor, and others, gaining insight into their emotional journeys as fathers navigating modern parenting.
Encouraging Independence
Bohra recalls his own childhood experience of taking a bus alone at age 10, which made him feel empowered. Similarly, when his seven-year-old daughter had to fly alone to Canada due to a visa issue, he felt secure knowing airlines care for solo children. He encourages parents to let kids have small adventures to build mental and emotional strength.
How Fatherhood Changed Him
Becoming a father shifted Bohra's focus from his own dreams to his children. He says every decision carries greater responsibility because "little eyes are always watching." He believes children are not to be controlled but loved, guided, and supported to become who they are meant to be.
Parenting Journey: Smooth or Bumpy?
Bohra describes his parenting journey as a "merry-go-round," filled with chasing kids to eat, get ready, and go to school. Watching his daughters grow has given him a bouquet of cherished memories.
