Madhavan recalls his stay in Canada, draws inspiration for raising son
Actor R. Madhavan recently reflected on how his experiences living in a small Canadian town helped shape his approach to parenting his 20-year-old son, Vedaant. In an interview on the YouTube channel 100 Year Life Project by ACKO, Madhavan spoke about the challenges he observed in the town during his studies and the lessons he carried forward in raising his son.
Madhavan revealed that the town he lived in was “pretty wild for those times,” with widespread teenage pregnancy, drug use, and alcohol abuse. Despite these issues, he found a family whose children were “absolutely normal” and well-behaved. “I had the privilege of studying abroad and I lived in a town in Canada, which was pretty wild for those times. Teenage pregnancy was rampant over there. Drugs and alcohol was a part of that town. I found one family that I stayed with, their children, absolutely normal as can be. Very well brought up. Not into any of these issues,” he said.
Advice that shaped Vedaant’s upbringing
Madhavan credited the family’s parenting advice as instrumental in raising Vedaant. The key lesson he shared was to keep children engaged in structured activities to prevent idle time, which could lead to distractions. “She gave me an advice which I followed to the heart and it really worked for my son,” Madhavan said.
He elaborated, “She said, ‘don’t give your child free time’. She said, ‘indulge him or her in whatever they want to do, as long as they are doing it with passion. The interest will change, their level of commitment will change. But make sure that they don’t have free time until they’re 15-16 years old. Make sure that they go from one activity to the other.’”
Madhavan emphasised that these activities should feel fun and engaging, not like chores. By keeping children occupied, they are less likely to engage in risky behaviour during their formative years.
Vedaant’s swimming journey
Vedaant has followed his father’s advice and channelled his energy into swimming, becoming a competitive athlete since childhood. He has won medals for India at the Commonwealth Youth Games, Malaysian Open, and Thailand Open. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Madhavan relocated to the UAE to ensure that Vedaant’s training remained uninterrupted.
The actor expressed pride in Vedaant’s dedication and achievements, noting that his structured upbringing and commitment to following his passions played a significant role in his success.
R Madhavan’s ongoing projects
On the professional front, Madhavan continues to work on multiple projects. He will be seen in De De Pyaar De 2 and Shaitaan 2, in addition to sharing screen space with Ranveer Singh in the upcoming film Dhurandhar.
Madhavan’s reflections underline the importance of active parenting and structured guidance in shaping young individuals, demonstrating how early lessons and disciplined routines can influence success in both personal and professional arenas.