‘There are many momfluencers today, but getting to hear a dad’s perspective on parenting is still quite rare’

He is one of the most popular baddies on the small screen, but in real life, Karanvir Bohra is putty in the hands of his three daughters.

A hilarious post on Instagram shows the muscular TV actor with a ponytail and blue tutu skirt, spinning on one foot like a wind-up doll after his youngest turns a pretend key on his back.

Bohra, who has been part of many hit dramas like ‘Kasauti Zindagi Kay’ and ‘Shararat’, spoke to Neha Bhayana about fatherhood and how he talks so his kids listenWhat is the toughest part of being a father of three girls? And what is the best?The toughest part of being a father to three girls will come when they become teenagers, when they start having their own likes and dislikes, crushes, late-night plans, and a world of their own.

The best part of being a girl dad is knowing that no matter how grown up they become, a part of their heart will always belong to you…and they’ll always love you the most.Do you worry about how you will react to late-night plans, boyfriends, tattoos and drinking when your daughters grow up? Are you a conservative dad or a cool one?I think I’m a pretty cool dad, but I don’t know how I’m going to react when boyfriends enter the picture or when my daughters go through their first heartbreaks.

I know it is all part of life, and while my instinct will be to protect them, I hope I’ll also be understanding.As for things like partying, tattoos, drinking, and all other choices they will make as they grow up, I may not always agree with everything.

There will definitely be moments that challenge me.

But I don’t want to be the kind of father who controls or forces.

I want to be someone they can always talk to, someone who guides rather than dictates.

A dad who is a mix of fierce and understanding, who sets boundaries but never stops listening.You enrolled your twins, Bella and Vienna, in a school in Canada during the pandemic (they moved there with their mom, Teejay Sidhu), and your younger one Gia joined them later.

Are they still living in Canada?The past two years have been difficult being away from them while they study in Canada, and I’m here working and attending to my parents.

I miss the little moments we once shared every day.

Those hugs, conversations, laughter, and simple togetherness…I miss them immensely.

My little one, Gia, is such a beautifully free-spirited soul.

She stayed with me (in Mumbai) for a year, and those moments were truly special.Being a television actor comes with its own challenges.

There were days when I would shoot for 12 to 14 hours straight, so many times I’d bring Gia along to the set, and she would just chill with me there.

And honestly, she loves the set.

If you ask her, “What does papa do?” she’ll smile and say, “He’s shooting.” What is your trick for getting your kids to listen to you?There’s no trick in the book to make children listen to you.

The only real way is to speak to them in their language.

Talk to them with respect, as though they are individuals with their own thoughts and emotions.

Explain to them what’s right, what’s wrong, and help them understand the consequences of their choices.

And then, instead of forcing an answer on them, ask them gently: “What do you think you should do?”A section of parents and experts believe the new-age gentle parenting approach is spoiling kids.

What is your take on it?People often misunderstand the meaning of gentle parenting.

Gentle parenting does not mean spoiling your child.

It means not getting angry over every little thing.

It means not constantly scolding them for mistakes, but instead guiding them with patience and understanding.

It means giving them your time when they say, “Dad, let’s play,” “Listen to my story,” or “Tell me a story.” At the heart of it, gentle parenting is simply about giving your children the quality time, attention, and emotional presence that many of us wish we had received growing up.

And at the same time, I completely understand our parents, too.

They came from a very different space and generation of parenting, and they did the best they could with what they knew at that time.In a world of momfluencers, you are among a small number of dads who share their experiences and give parenting tips.

How did the idea for your page, ‘Parenting with Karanvir Bohra’ come up?That’s primarily the reason I chose to share my experiences and the experiences of other fathers as well.

There are so many momfluencers today, but very rarely do we get to hear a dad’s perspective on parenting or co-parenting.

I genuinely felt people needed to hear that side too.

That’s what led me to start a podcast on my YouTube channel called ‘Daddy Adventures’.

I’ve had some really interesting and heartfelt conversations with Karan Singh Grover, Raghu Ram, Tusshar Kapoor, Gurmeet Choudhary, Zaid Darbar, Kiku Sharda and many other dads.

What touched me the most was getting such a beautiful insight into how they feel as fathers, the emotional journeys they go through, and how each of them is navigating this entire new-age approach to parenting.You had posted about the time when you let one of your twins take a flight to Canada alone when she was seven.

These days, most urban parents never let their kids, especially girls, be alone in order to ensure safety, but they end up making them under-confident and dependent.

How can parents encourage their kids to be independent without compromising their safety?I still remember when my dad and uncle pushed me to take a bus alone for the very first time.

I was barely 10, travelling from Colaba to Nana Chowk.

When I completed that journey by myself, I felt so empowered.

Years later, a similar situation arose with my daughter when she had to travel alone because of an issue with my visa.

I realised airlines take great care of children travelling solo.

I felt secure knowing she was safe, and I could also see how empowered and confident the experience made her feel.

I truly believe parents should encourage children to have small adventures and independent experiences — that’s how they become mentally and emotionally strong.

How has fatherhood changed you?Becoming a father changed everything for me.

Life is no longer just about my dreams, my ambitions, or my journey.

It’s about them.

Every decision I make now carries a greater sense of responsibility because little eyes are always watching.What I have learned over the years is that children are not ours to control; they are ours to love, guide and support.

My role is not to shape them into who I want them to be, but to help them become who they are meant to be.

Has your parenting journey been a smooth or bumpy one so far? What is the biggest lesson you have learned along the way?My journey as a father has been like a merry-go-round.

I have chased my kids to eat food, get ready, go down and play, go to school, etc.

Watching my daughters grow up has given me some of the most beautiful moments of my life; it’s like a bouquet of memories I will cherish forever.Get the latest lifestyle news and trends.

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