Kabir Bedi, his girlfriend Parveen Dusanj and daughter Pooja were a family until 2013 when big fights between them led to Kabir and Parveen vacating Pooja's flat. Today, Kabir is extremely upset over Pooja's tweet about his wedding to Parveen. The time is right to have a chat with Pooja. Excerpts from the conversation that followed:
Your dad is very angry with you for tweeting: Every fairy-tale has a wicked witch or an evil stepmother. Mine just arrived.
I deleted that tweet and then wished him the best in my subsequent tweet. He has chosen to retain in his memory what was deleted, not what was written later.
He says your step sibling Adam is happy about his shaadi with Parveen, but you are not...
Adam is happy because he was invited. So, my dad has obviously forgotten his differences with Adam but not with me.
Did you know that the wedding was happening?
No.
But your kids attended it...
They were asked to drop in for a family dinner. They found out that their grandfather was getting married only when they landed there. And we were totally in the dark about the sangeet and mehendi too.
Did they call you to tell you that shaadi ho rahi hai?
Haan. I told them: Great, enjoy yourselves!
Did you send a text to your dad congratulating him?
No, I didn't see the need to do that.
Invitations are sent out in weddings to almost everyone...
One utilises such occasions in family to better his/her relationships. But it's okay. I guess we all are responsible in the creation of our own destinies. If they (Kabir-Parveen) want to carry on with the existing grudges, it's their choice.
What's your take on your father's marriage at the age of 70?
I advocate love and companionship in old age. I am happy that he has found someone whom he would hopefully spend the rest of his life with.
Does it hurt that you have lost a friend in Parveen, in this whole mess?
I am exceedingly fond of my other two stepmothers, Susan Humphreys and Nikki Bedi.
That doesn't answer my question...
I can't cut off the fact that she (note well, Pooja doesn't even take Parveen's name) has sealed her place in my dad's life with matrimony. But what matters to me is only my relationship with my father.
So it does hurt that the father who was such an integral part of your childhood and youth has now cut you off from his life for a woman?
(Long pause) Certain people choose to be intelligent and not wise. What can you do? Helen of Troy launched a thousand ships. What can you do?
Are you still into spiritualism?
Too much. My grandpa was a spiritual healer, my mom was so much into spirituality. It helps you considerably. You lose sight of pettiness, you learn to see things in a larger perspective. You can't control what happens to you but you can control your reaction to it. That's why I deleted my first tweet.
I thought your tiff with your dad won't last so long, but it's more than two-and-half years now...
Well, we can always hope for the best but prepare for the worst.
When are you getting married?
After watching people marry serially and easily, I am worried about the concept of marriage. Let's say it has made me wary. I am very happy in my relationship with Akashdeep Saigal (Ansh Gujral of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi). He is so loving and compassionate. he is always there for me. We are both fond of travelling and often take road-trips to Manali, Leh, Ladakh and many other places. I am enjoying my space and time with Sky (as she fondly calls him). If i am so happy in my personal life, why rock the boat?
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