A Bedi Through And Through

Angad Bedi is a very respectful man, its evident from the way he speaks about the people in his life. It isnt easy being the son of a legend and Angad knows that he may have carved a niche for himself in the the world of films and modelling but he still cares deeply for his fathers approval. In an interview with us, the Inside Edge star speaks about his childhood, parenting and the time he told his father about Neha Dhupia.

- Mayukh Majumdar

How different was your childhood compared to other kids around you?

Very different – I don’t know about other kids but I grew up in an extremely disciplined environment. I remember my childhood was spent most of the time on the cricket field. My days used to start at around 4:30 in the morning. My father used to train me, we used to train till around 6:30 and then I’d get a break after which I used to go back to the ground for practice sessions. After my training, which used to finish at around 2 o’clock, we’d play a game. That used to get over at around six, if it was a 40-over game. At 7 o’clock, I’d hit the gym and by 9:30, I used to be in bed.

What were holidays like in the Bedi household as a child?

I never had a holiday . . . not many. I remember that my first trip overseas was in 1990 when my father was the cricket manager of the Indian cricket team and I was 7 or 8 at that time and I had travelled to the UK. My father used to be busy playing cricket and he was on tour most of the time. Till the time I hit 30, I don’t think I’ve had a holiday as such. Recently, I went on a holiday to the Maldives which I enjoyed with my wife.

What was your father’s reaction when you told him about your celluloid dreams?

I think by 17 I’d made up my mind that I don’t want to play cricket and by 19, I was done. Sometimes, you have to give yourself time to rethink matters. He was a bit disheartened because he wanted me to play cricket but he said ‘as long as you work hard and make a name for yourself, there’s nothing more for a father, so just keep working hard’. So, I had his blessings and I still have them and today, whatever I have and the little bit of a name that I’ve made for myself is because of the discipline my father has instilled in me.