'Dhurandhar' star R Madhavan has set the benchmark in parenting by choosing to speak openly with his son Vedaant on sexual awareness and contraception, topics still considered taboo in Indian society. In an interview with Kumudham, the actor revealed he had a conversation with his son and explained contraception, long before most parents even thought to take such a step. Reflecting on his parenting style, R Madhavan also made sure Vedaant, a five-time gold medallist at the Malaysian Open in swimming, gets an idea about pressures and privileges that come with growing up in a celebrity household.
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He spoke to Vedaant about sensitive topics like sexual touch, personal boundaries, and contraception much before his teenage years, when most families would not even consider such conversations necessary or appropriate. “I have always treated him as an adult since a very young age, be it talking about sexual touch, or using condom."
The conversations began much before most of us would expect. “Since the age of 4, I’ve been talking freely with him. This has instilled a kind of trust in him, like ‘my father treats me with respect’, this has made him feel responsible as well. This became easy for me to communicate.”
R Madhavan's parenting style has always revolved around trust and honesty was not just limited to teaching his son about contraception and sexual boundaries but also included how women have to be respected and the responsibilities that come with fame. The actor made sure Vedaant could clearly distinguish between the advantages of celebrity life and the challenges that come with it.
Recalling the moment, Madhavan shared that Vedaant simply told him, “Not bad, Dad.” The actor said it with the calm acceptance of a father who knows his son is not easily impressed. “He is very difficult to impress,” he added. This resonates with millions of parents who have tried to get a genuine reaction from their child about their own work. “Every father wishes for his son to continue their legacy. It is not important for me,” Madhavan added.
He had revealed in one of the interviews that he follows a strict and disciplined life, wakes up at 4.30 AM and even trains twice a day to bag the gold Olympic Gold. "On a hard day, I wake up around 4:30 in the morning and get to the pool by 4:45. I swim from 5 to 7, then stretch and come back home."
"If I have school, I go, and after returning, I have a snack, rest for a bit, and then head back to the pool. I start swimming again around 7:30 pm and continue till 9:30 pm. If I have gym, I fit that in between school and my evening swim. After finishing at 9:30, I eat and go to bed. And then the cycle continues," Vedaant explains.
ALSO READ: R Madhavan's son Vedaant wakes up at 4.30 AM, trains twice a day
Treated him as an adult
Opening up about how he approached raising his son, Madhavan told Kumudam in a recent conversation that he considered him an adult since a very young age. The 'Rehna Hai Tere Dil Main' actor believed that transparency always plays a key role in parenting. "I have treated him as an adult since a very young age,” he said, adding that this mindset shaped even the most sensitive conversations.ALSO READ: Zinc phosphide killed the family of four in Mumbai watermelon case
He spoke to Vedaant about sensitive topics like sexual touch, personal boundaries, and contraception much before his teenage years, when most families would not even consider such conversations necessary or appropriate. “I have always treated him as an adult since a very young age, be it talking about sexual touch, or using condom."
The conversations began much before most of us would expect. “Since the age of 4, I’ve been talking freely with him. This has instilled a kind of trust in him, like ‘my father treats me with respect’, this has made him feel responsible as well. This became easy for me to communicate.”
A strong foundation on parenthood
Madhavan said having early conversations helped him establish a strong foundation in parenthood which helps tough and complex talks seem natural rather than awkward. I think addressing them and giving them the importance makes them responsible at a very young age,” Madhavan said. “It became easy for me to communicate.”R Madhavan's parenting style has always revolved around trust and honesty was not just limited to teaching his son about contraception and sexual boundaries but also included how women have to be respected and the responsibilities that come with fame. The actor made sure Vedaant could clearly distinguish between the advantages of celebrity life and the challenges that come with it.
Very difficult to impress
He also shared a lighter anecdote about his son’s candid feedback on his work. Vedaant Madhavan’s favourite film starring his father is Yaavarum Nalam, which was released in Hindi as 13B. When Rocketry: The Nambi Effect was released in 2022 — a project that R Madhavan spent years producing, directing, and fully dedicating himself to, he eagerly waited to hear his son’s reaction.Recalling the moment, Madhavan shared that Vedaant simply told him, “Not bad, Dad.” The actor said it with the calm acceptance of a father who knows his son is not easily impressed. “He is very difficult to impress,” he added. This resonates with millions of parents who have tried to get a genuine reaction from their child about their own work. “Every father wishes for his son to continue their legacy. It is not important for me,” Madhavan added.
Madhavan's son strict disciplined life
Vedaant, unlike his father, chose his own career path and chose swimming as his career. Representing India, he is a 5-time gold medalist at the Malaysian Open, a gold and silver medalist at the Danish Open. He also came 5th at the Commonwealth Youth Games.He had revealed in one of the interviews that he follows a strict and disciplined life, wakes up at 4.30 AM and even trains twice a day to bag the gold Olympic Gold. "On a hard day, I wake up around 4:30 in the morning and get to the pool by 4:45. I swim from 5 to 7, then stretch and come back home."
"If I have school, I go, and after returning, I have a snack, rest for a bit, and then head back to the pool. I start swimming again around 7:30 pm and continue till 9:30 pm. If I have gym, I fit that in between school and my evening swim. After finishing at 9:30, I eat and go to bed. And then the cycle continues," Vedaant explains.
