Guess who is mega-star Deepika Padukone ‘greatest off-screen hero’ ?

Chaitanya  Padukone 

Today (21st June) is being observed all over globally as Father’s Day. It is a known fact that both mega star-daughter Deepika Padukone and her former world badminton champ father Prakash Padukone share a warm, emotional bonding  Recently on Prakash’s 65th birthday, in June itself,  the delighted Deepika wrote in her tweet in admiration of her ( Bengaluru-based) famous sports-star father  “To the greatest off-screen hero I could have ever had ! Thank You for showing us that being a true champion is not only about one’s professional achievements, but also about being a good human being! Happy 65th Birthday, Pappa ! We love you!”.  

For those not so familiar with modest Prakash’s illustrious badminton-game achievements, the  former All-England (World) Champion (1980) and holder of a hat-trick of  multiple global-titles, was also badminton National Champion for seven consecutive years. At the ‘Mulaqaat’ session arranged by Kanara Saraswat Association in Mumbai, this is what the cool, calm, unassuming yet outspoken sports-champ Prakash had to share :

‘Deepika Padukone ’s ‘Live, Love Laugh ‘  is to  create awareness to seek help’                                                                    “My Bollywood actress-daughter Deepika herself went through bouts of depression, but then she also fully recovered. The ‘Live Love Laugh’ foundation started by Deepika  is to create awareness regarding mental health. The foundation works towards removing the ‘stigma’ attached to mental health including anxiety, depression etc. and to seek professional help ,as it is curable. If ignored, sometimes it can also lead to suicides”. 

 ‘ My personal mantra for success and happiness in life is……’                                                                                                           “ Sports for me was and is more a passion, a love for the game. I have never played to impress anyone or to please my parents. I played the game just to challenge myself and see what I could do.  I have not played badminton for the sake of getting awards or for the money. If  in the bargain, I have won titles, awards and prize-money, I would consider that as a ‘bonus’.   Health is my top priority, followed by peace of mind and then third comes money. Even if I am offered a million dollars to do something, which I am not comfortable, I will insist I am not doing it,. This has been my philosophy and principles which I have also inculcated in both my daughters Deepika and Anisha ”

‘Try to reach your potential-- always give your 100 per cent’                                                                     “My advice to youngsters :  Don’t live just for today. Learn to save for the future  for yourself and your family.  Do not expect instant results, have abundant patience,  work your way up. Try to reach your potential, whatever you are capable of,  but always give your 100 per cent. There are players who may done better than me, but  I have no regrets.  I know I have put in my best efforts, in the given circumstances. My  temperament  of  humility stems in from the reality that I don’t think I have achieved anything great.  That’s because I  compare myself to other iconic players who have achieved ‘much more’.  Compared to them,  I am nothing. Don’t lose hope and faith—victory and defeat are a part of life. Don’t be too happy or complacent when you win and don’t. and don’t be too dejected when you lose—maintain a balance. If there is a set-back, or an upset,  analyse--learn from it,  but keep improving and  continue going forward ”