Actor Rohit Purohit, currently seen as Armaan in Star Plus and Rajan Shahi’s Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, believes becoming a parent brings a different perspective on life. From revisiting his childhood memories to enjoying little moments with his son Aarush, the actor says fatherhood has taught him the importance of being present and making time for loved ones. On Children’s Day, Rohit opened up about his childhood, his journey into acting, and the kind of father he hopes to be.
Talking about one childhood quality he wishes adults would never lose, Rohit says, “I feel we should never lose our curiosity and the ability to live in the moment. As adults, we get so caught up in our schedules, responsibilities and thoughts about the future that we forget to enjoy the present. Growing up in Jaipur, life was much simpler and slower. We found happiness in the smallest things without worrying about what would happen next. I think I have managed to hold on to almost 70 per cent of that quality. Being an actor also helps because I have to keep observing, learning and looking at things with a fresh perspective. Whenever life starts feeling too serious, I pick up my camera or sit down and sing. It brings back that carefree child in me.”
The actor reveals that acting was never his childhood dream. He says, “Honestly, acting was not even on my mind when I was a child. I grew up in a traditional family setup, where ambitions were quite simple. I was more interested in sports, fitness and doing something adventurous. I even thought about becoming a photographer or getting into business. The entertainment industry felt like a completely different world from Jaipur. It was only much later, when I got into fitness, modelling and also worked as a stunt double in films like Jodhaa Akbar, that I got a chance to see what happens behind the camera. Watching the magic of storytelling from so close slowly made me interested in acting.”
If given a chance to spend one day as his eight-year-old self, Rohit knows exactly what he would do. He shares, “I would leave my phone behind, run to an open ground in Jaipur and play gully cricket with my childhood friends until sunset. There would be no call times, no scripts to memorise and no traffic to worry about. Just playing freely and coming home to a warm meal made by my mother. That feeling of having no stress on your shoulders is something you cannot recreate as an adult.”
Speaking about a habit that his son Aarush has picked up from him, the actor says, “It is amazing how observant children are, even when you feel they are not paying attention. I have a habit of slightly narrowing my eyes and tilting my head whenever I am trying to understand something or concentrating. I probably picked it up from looking through a camera lens or reading scripts. One day, Aarush was trying to figure out how one of his toys worked, and he made the exact same expression. Sheena and I looked at each other and burst out laughing. That moment made me realise that he notices and picks up even the smallest things I do.”
Talking about how he unwinds with his son after a hectic shoot, Rohit says, “After working for 12 to 14 hours and playing an intense character like Armaan, all I want to do is wash off my makeup, put my phone on silent and spend time with Aarush. I usually play some soft music or hum a tune while we sit and play together. No matter how tired I am, the moment he smiles or reaches out to me, all my exhaustion disappears. Being around him is the best stress-buster I could ask for.”
The actor also shares what he hopes his son remembers about him when he grows up. He says, “More than material comforts or success, I hope he feels that I gave him my time and the freedom to be himself. Our work schedules can be quite hectic, so whenever I am home, I want him to know that he is my absolute priority. I want him to grow up feeling that his father was always his safe space, someone who listened to him without judging, encouraged him to follow what makes him happy and taught him to remain humble and kind, no matter where life takes him.”
