Dad, buy me my dream!

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Actor Jackky Bhagnani’s father Vashu Bhagnani purchased rights of Psy’s Gangnam Style for his son’s film Rangrezz

Recently, Bollywood producer Vashu Bhagnani bought the rights of Psy’s super hit Gangnam style for son Jackky for a hefty amount. Sonam Kapoor coaxed dad Anil Kapoor to buy the rights of one of Anuja Chauhan’s novels for her sheer love of its female characters. Brad Pitt is building a private zoo for his brood of six.

There are many things that money can do, and buying their kid’s dream is something rich parents sometimes do. Delhi’s star parents agree there’s quite an extent they can go to fulfill their children’s dream, but insist there’s a limit that should not be crossed.
“Money can never replace time and love,” firmly believes socialite Tanisha Mohan. “Parents are leading such busy lifestyles that they hardly have time for their children and often buy their love out by giving them expensive gifts. I could see this in my own house. My husband was mostly travelling and when he would return, he bought expensive phones, toys and iPhone for our kids. Finally I had to put a stop and tell them, if you want something, you have to buy it on your own with your money. We can very well afford to put our children in business class while travelling, but we give them economy class tickets so that they don’t get habituated to luxury,” says Tanisha, adding that she wants her children to learn the value of money.
Delhi-based fashion designer Reynu Taandon says she takes practical decisions when it comes to her kids’ dreams. “As a parent, it is our duty to help them set up their career, but this does not mean that you go on to buy their dreams. When Rahil set out to become an actor, I bought him a one-bedroom house in Mumbai and it all ended there. I told him to earn his own money and follow his dreams. You can’t give your kids everything on a platter, as you want them to get a taste of earning their own money and be capable of taking care of themselves,” says Reynu.
Makeup artist Meenakshi Dutt feels investing in your children’s dream is not wrong as long as you ensure it is for their better. “If people like Anil Kapoor and Vashu buy their children’s dream, it is a business investment for them. These kids are actors and will get good returns for the money their parents have invested in them. Same way, we also invest in our children’s education, as we know it will help them make a career in future. Having said that, it does not mean that you pamper them so much that they depend on you all their lives. Being a parent, you need to think and notice your kids’ capabilities and talent and then take a decision. Personally, I believe power of money works because ultimately your children are benefited,” says Meenakshi.
Sunil Sethi says he does not feel it is wrong to pamper your child once in a while. “I generally never go overboard if not on a holiday. Then I like to splurge on Tanira, but otherwise, it is regular pocket money for her. Still, I feel it is not wrong if you are spending money for your children’s betterment. If you have money, you might as well buy your kid’s dream,” says Sunil.