R Madhavan is known for his iconic roles in films like Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, 3 Idiots, Tanu Weds Manu, and more. Despite being one of the most well-known actors across film industries in India, in a recent interaction, Madhavan admitted that his discipline in life doesn’t even come close to what his son Vedaant, a professional swimmer, practices daily.
Speaking to GQ, Madhavan shared the gruelling routine of Vedaant, which involves waking up at 4 a.m. in the morning and maintaining a strict diet. He shared, “As a professional swimmer, Vedaant’s day ends at eight o’clock, and then he’s up again at four in the morning. It’s the most demanding part of the job, not just for him, but also for his parents. [Laughs.] That hour is called brahma muhurta, said to be the most spiritually conducive time to wake up.”
Madhavan called Vedaant “the best of him and wife Sarita.” He said, “He’s 6’3”, has a swimmer’s body and follows a hyperdisciplined lifestyle. Even eating is an exercise for him; he doesn’t just sit down for dinner, he has to focus on chewing and on meal balance, among other things.” Madhavan called himself lazy when compared to his son and said, “I wish I had that kind of discipline; I think I’m actually quite lazy—I just get away with it by calling myself a creative.”
For the unversed, Vedaant is a five-time gold medalist at the Malaysian Open, a gold and silver medalist at the Danish Open, as well as a bronze medalist at the Latvian and Thailand Open. He also finished fifth at the Commonwealth Youth Games.
Madhavan also shared parenting tips and talked about modern fatherhood. He emphasized that parents shouldn’t impose their opinions on their kids or “guilt them into submission” as kids are “hyper-aware, thanks to social media.” He said, “Since Vedaant was five, I’ve spoken to him like I’m speaking to you, and have taken his opinions seriously.” He added, “All you can do is share your experience and ensure their environment is safe. Most importantly, home must be a space where they can be their authentic selves, free of judgment.”
Madhavan also expressed the wish to be surrounded by grandkids and be the guiding source for his son. He said, “I want to be an integral part in my son’s life, the kind where my future grandkids call me thatha and visit often. I want him to someday ask me, Dad, how did you raise me? Of course, I can’t be there for every event, but he knows I’ll always show up when it matters. We don’t talk every day or say ‘I love you’ all the time, but when he needs a solution or to talk through anything, I’m the one he calls.”
Madhavan met his wife Sarita during a workshop in 1991. The two tied the knot after years of dating in 1999, and they welcomed Vedaant in 2005.
