Former badminton champion Prakash Padukone has spoken about the parenting philosophy that guided him while raising his daughters Deepika Padukone and Anisha Padukone. In a recent interview, Prakash He shared how he and his wife chose to support their daughters’ passions instead of imposing their own expectations on them. The veteran sports icon said parents need to understand the difference between a child’s casual interest and true passion before making decisions about their future.
“That’s when you know the passion is real”
Explaining how parents can identify true passion, Prakash said commitment and consistency are the biggest indicators.“There is a difference between liking something and being passionate about it. Parents need to watch closely. If a child is really passionate about something, they are willing to do anything for it, be it music, sports or any other field. They will spend long hours there, wake up early, stay up late and devote themselves completely to this activity for a long time. That’s when you know the passion is real,” he said while speaking with Rodrigo Canelas on The Something Bigger Show.He added that parents should encourage children to pursue their interests, even if the path seems unusual.“If you see that level of commitment, you have to give them the chance to pursue it, even if it’s unusual. There’s always an opportunity for them to be successful at the highest level in the world in a field that hasn’t been explored before. Even if things aren’t going well, today’s young people are smart. In a few years, they’ll know if it’s right for them or not. But the kids will be given the chance they’ll never know. It’s going to happen.“
“Sport was his second love”
Recalling Deepika’s teenage years, Prakash revealed that while she was actively playing badminton, her heart was always set on modeling and films.“We followed her approach. Deepika was playing badminton, but when she was in standard 10, she told us she wanted to model and do films. No one in our family was connected to that world, but we saw her passion,” he said.According to him, the signs were evident from an early age.“Sports was her second love. Her first love was always being in front of the camera. As a child, she did modeling, commercials, ballet and catwalks. We knew he was very interested in that space and was willing to put in the effort.”Prakash said the family asked Deepika to finish her schooling before making the final decision, but soon opportunities started knocking at the door.“When she reached class 10, we told her to finish her studies first and then decide. Soon, modeling opportunities started pouring in. People in the industry saw potential in her and encouraged us to give it a try. Everything clicked from there. As we knew her real passion was modeling and films, we never forced her to pursue badminton.”
‘You have to be on your feet’
Prakash also shared the advice he gave Deepika when she decided to pursue a career in entertainment.“I gave him the same advice my dad gave me. I said, ‘I don’t know anything about film and modeling, so I can’t help you professionally. But I know you’re passionate.'”He continued, “I told him he would have to build his career on his own. As parents, we would always be in the background to support him, but when it came to his profession, he had to stand on his own two feet. We encouraged him to go out and try it. If it worked, great. If he didn’t, he would at least know that he gave him his best chance.’
Same advice for Anisha Padukone
Prakash said the family followed the same approach with their younger daughter Anisha, who chose golf as her career path.“Yes, the same. Anisha was more interested in golf. He played the sport seriously and later decided he wanted to play golf professionally. We told him the same thing: go ahead and do it, but take responsibility for your own journey.’Looking back, she said her two daughters have fulfilled it by following their passions.“Today, both daughters have the satisfaction of knowing that they followed what they truly loved. Deepika achieved success in films, Anisha represented India in golf. There is no regret on either side.’
“Parents should listen more and trust their children more”
The badminton legend believes that modern parents should give their children more freedom while making career decisions.“Absolutely. Kids today are exposed to so much more information than our generation ever was. In many ways, they know more than we do about emerging careers, colleges, and opportunities.”Although parents can offer guidance, he believes the final choice should rest with the child.“As parents, we can make suggestions, explain the pros and cons, and share our experience. But ultimately, the decision must be theirs. Many young people do extensive research before making career choices. Sometimes they are interested in fields their parents have never even heard of, but that doesn’t mean those fields won’t be important in the future.”“I think parents should listen more and trust their children more,” he added.
Why is parental support important?
Prakash emphasized that unconditional support from both parents can make a big difference when children choose unconventional careers.“It’s very important. Not just one parent’s support, but both parents’ support.”“If a parent doubts or disapproves, that uncertainty remains in the child’s mind. The child must feel completely free to explore his passion, knowing that even if he fails, his parents will stand by him.”He concluded: “Of course, there should be a reasonable amount of time. Success is never guaranteed. But every child deserves the opportunity to try. When children have the full support of their parents, they are much more likely to succeed because they don’t carry the fear of letting their family down.”
