'My father is my hero'

He’s been the stronghold of your life, guiding you and supporting you, from the moment you took your baby steps till now. With   Father’s Day set to arrive on June 21, shops are flooded with greeting cards and merchandises with offers and discounts. Even if the concept has a Western influence, many say that the day is all about celebrating one’s father.

“My father has been my companion and guide in everything I do. He has stood by me as a friend, and not as a parent,” says Ragini Dwivedi, Sandalwood actress. She recollects how her father would always say that she was as strong as a tiger and could fight back in any situation. “For me, he is the biggest inspiration and strongest point of motivation. This Father’s Day is a double treat, as it is also my father’s birthday. I have a surprise planned,” she says excitedly.

Chetan Chandra, says that it is because of his father, KB Ramachandra, that he stuck around in Sandalwood. “My father is a very disciplined person and has always stood by me. I’ve completed four film projects and I owe it all to him. It is only because of him that I have values in my life,” says Chetan. He adds that his father has always taught him “to be gentle”. This ‘Father’s Day’, he plans to take his father for a special dinner and a movie.

There are more like him. ‘Ugramm’ star Sriimurali says that his father, SA Chinnegowda, and he have shared a different relationship throughout his life. “My father has reprimanded me when he had to and showed me the way whenever it was required. He was strict, yet he was a good friend. And it is because of what I learnt from him that I am what I am now,” says Sriimurali. Calling his father an emotional person, he says that he is not like that. “My father always told me that I could tell him about anything. So when I first spoke about Vidya (who is my wife now), he kept asking me how serious I was about the relationship. He wanted me to realise that I couldn’t continue to be what I was till then,” he adds.

He also says that he has learnt to be responsible because of his son Prince Agastya and his daughter Atheeva. “My daughter has changed me a lot. It’s a surprise how I have changed as a person and into a responsible father,” he breaks into a smile

Cecilia, a youngster, plans to give a card and a present to her father Xavier S Raj. “I’m thankful that I have a friend in my father. No matter whatever happens in my life, he has always stood by me and he will be the first one I would share anything with,” she says. She proudly adds, “My father is my hero.”

Most of us have our own embarrassing and memorable moments with our parents. Afzal Sait, a student recollects how his father, Shoaib Sait, taught him how to skate. “We would start our races, wearing our new skate shoes and feeling like professionals. We would stand up, ready to take off and just when my mother would blow the whistle and say ‘On your marks, get set go!’, we would start off and fall!” says Afzal laughingly. He adds that his father would never let him fall, and that is something he cherishes about his father. “My father has made many sacrifices in life, but he has made sure that I have never had to suffer for them,” concludes Afzal proudly.