TV stars share special Father's Day stories

We caught up with television actors Mona Singh, Gurmeet Chaudhary, Debina Bonnerjee and Raginni Khanna and got them to share their 'Dad' storis for Father's Day, coming up on June 20.

'My father is proud of me'

First up Mona Singh, star of Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin shares her thoughts:

There are so many memories which I have shared with Father, but here are a couple which come instantly to mind.

We were staying in Delhi and I was studying in Standard VII. I always wanted to participate in school athletic competitions and one year, with great difficulty, did manage to take part in the 100 metres running competition. My father was working on that day, so I was a little upset that he would not be around to cheer me on. I was ready on the race track and suddenly saw my parents sitting right there in front of me. I was so happy that I ran faster than ever before. I managed to come second in the race. I was more excited that my father could make it than winning the race.

I also remember another incident when I made my first-ever public appearance, when I had just started doing Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin. My college in Pune invited me, because they were proud of the fact that I was playing a lead role on TV. My father came along with me. As I was interacting with people, I suddenly looked at my dad and when I saw him I could see how proud he was, looking at me and the attention I was getting. He feels proud when someone calls him Mona Singh's father instead of Colonel Javeer Singh.

Whatever I am today, it's only because of my father. He is my inspiration, hero, icon and everything.

Here, Gurmeet Chaudhary, who played Lord Rama in the series Ramayan and is currently starring in the series Geet on Star One shares his memories:

All memories of me with Dad that I remember today are fun. I used to bunk classes and go out for strolls. My dad used to find out and used to catch hold of me. I remember a man wearing an army uniform and running behind me to catch me in the road! I used to run at topmost speed and he could never catch up. But I used to turn back and look at my dad's huge build with lots of love and awe.

All this was fun till I discovered the other side of my dad. When I disclosed my desire to come to Mumbai, he took leave from his army duty and came with me because I was only 17 years old. We had no clue where to start from and whom to approach. I remember my dad wore his army uniform and went out with me. I saw the respect that civilians have towards army men. He approached a Planet M outlet in Colaba, asking for a reference to a dance school and we got the address of the Shaimak Davar dance academy -- he then got me enrolled.

A little later, when I decided to settle in Mumbai and not go back to Jabalpur, my dad took a transfer to Mumbai so that I could be comfortable and set up a home, because home is where the parents are. I could never tell my dad thank you fore everything he did for me. But I am putting in all my effort, so that his efforts don't go waste.

Debina Bonnerjee, Chaudhary's co-star who played Sita in the Ramayan series, weighs in on her father:

Father...just the mention of this word makes me smile. I share not one, but loads of touching memories with my dad. He was, is and always will be the ultimate hero of my life.

I am not very open with my dad. He was always busy with work and we (my brother and me) closely bonded with my mom more. But dad was always there -- I could feel it. In spite of being closer to Mom all my life, I still feel like sharing good news with my dad first. Maybe that is why they say daughters are closer to their fathers. I sure feel I am.

Since the time I was a kid, I spoke in a very grown-up manner, very distinctly and clearly. I remember that my dad once got me sweet bread, set me on his lap and lovingly told me using baby-language what he had brought for me. I immediately corrected his pronunciation and said, "Please, this is what it is called, not what you are saying." I don't know what and how he felt at that!

When I grew up a little and wanted to get into modelling, I couldn't gather the courage to tell my parents. I ultimately told my mom about my wish to participate in a Miss Kolkata contest. Mom strictly said no and asked me to speak to Dad. I could not tell him, though.

But my dad understood me, went and filled up the form himself and submitted it. I got the call, participated and even won. A dream which he pushed was fulfilled.

He never had a car but got one for me; he never had his own mobile, but got one for me.

I still feel that his way of supporting me through and through without speaking has made me what I am today. I overheard him telling somebody once, "I am poor but my daughter is rich."

And finally, here is what Raginni Khanna of Sasural Gendha Phool fame has to say about her dad:

I was a very peaceful and a quiet child and never troubled my parents. I used to spend the whole day with my mom, but at night I used to sleep next to my dad. I would not get sleep if I didn't hug or cuddle him till I was eight years old.

As I grew older I became more close to my mom, because my father was very strict. I can remember one funny incident which I can never forget. It's been the joke of a lifetime and it happened when I was barely four years old. I was very fond of my father and he never shouted at me. But one day he was in a bad mood and for some reason he scolded me. I felt so bad that I went out of my room, walked up to my mom who was in the kitchen and said, "Daddy badal do!" It was really funny -- I still think of it and smile.