11 october 2024 : On International Girl Child Day, Neha Dhupia opened up about her journey as a mother to a daughter, reflecting on the unique experience of raising a girl. Neha and her husband, actor Angad Bedi, have two children: daughter Mehr, 5, and son Guriq, 3. Neha shared, “The emotions involved in raising a girl are unlike any other. My daughter and I think similarly — we both think outside the box. I deeply value her curiosity, and I admire her blend of intelligence and innocence. The bond between a mother and daughter is special, full of a mix of strength, vulnerability, and raw emotion that’s hard to explain. It also makes me feel like I need to be even stronger to guide her.”
She also highlighted the importance of teaching Mehr about boundaries, noting that the first word she taught her daughter was “bas” — to signify when she was done with something, whether it was food, play, or physical affection. “Even at a young age, Mehr understands and respects her boundaries.”
While acknowledging the progress in society, Neha recognized the challenges that still exist, particularly for girls who aren’t always accepted. “We are fortunate to have the opportunities we do. To all the parents out there, we are the lucky ones. We are the chosen ones,” she added.