Twinkle Khanna recalls how dad Rajesh Khanna always called her 'Tina Baba'
Mumbai, June 21
Remembering her father, superstar Rajesh Khanna, on Father's Day, Twinkle Khanna recalled how her dad always used to call her 'Tina Baba' and not 'Tina Baby'.
In an emotional post on social media, Twinkle recalled how, unlike other girls, she never had to face any restrictions growing up.
Admitting that she was not brought up like the other conventional girls, the 'Mela' actress went on to write on her social media handle. "If my father hoped for a boy as his firstborn, I was never told. All I know is what he said to my mother: That I was the best present she could have ever given him as I entered the world, feet first, on his 31st birthday (sic)."
"He always called me Tina baba, never baby, and though I didn't realise it at that point, my upbringing was different from all the other young girls around me. The restrictions drawn around their adolescence did not define mine. The permanent marker, one that would later be passed onto their husbands, to enforce the circle of captivity did not exist in my case," she added.
Revealing how even something small can remind us of our loved ones in an unexpected way, Twinkle shared, "Loss is not a constant ache, nor does it come equipped with a full stop. It lives between pauses and emerges at unexpected moments. Sometimes it's a song on the radio or when I am applying kohl and I see his eyes, under the same arched brows staring out of my reflection."
Twinkle concluded the post, revisiting her dad, Rajesh Khanna's birthday wishes for her, something she misses dearly now.
"It is lurking within every birthday when I wake up in excitement before my heart sinks. The man who loved words, always used them in a precise order. These things could not be tampered with, replaced or changed. Just the way he didn't like anyone moving his books, glasses and packets of Dunhill. Year after year, he said the same thing. Something that no one else can ever say again, "Happy birthday to you too, Tina baba"," she wrote on the photo-sharing app.
"Father's Day may fall in June, but for me it will always be in December", she signed off.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone who grew up in a traditional Indian household, I can relate to what Twinkle said about restrictions for girls. My sister faced so many boundaries while I had freedom. It's heartwarming to see a celebrity dad breaking those stereotypes in the 70s and 80s. Respect for Rajesh Khanna 🙏
"Loss is not a constant ache, nor does it come equipped with a full stop" - that line hit me hard. My father passed away last year and I completely understand what Twinkle means. Those unexpected moments when a small thing reminds you of them... it's bittersweet. Beautiful writing, Twinkle!
I'm not a big fan of celebrity posts usually, but this one is genuinely touching. The part about him not wanting anyone to move his books, glasses and Dunhill packets - such small things that make a person who they are. Also, "Father's Day may fall in June, but for me it will always be in December" - what an emotional sign-off!
Makes you think about how Indian parenting is changing but still has a long way to go. Even today, many parents treat sons and daughters differently. Rajesh Khanna was ahead of his time in giving equal freedom to his daughter. This post should go viral for that message alone!
The way she writes about her father is so poetic - clearly she inherited her parents' talent with words. That line about kohl and seeing his eyes in her reflection gave me goosebumps. Rajesh Khanna might be gone but his legacy lives on through his daughter's
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