From Pain to Parenting: Arjun Rampal Opens Up About His Father and His Children

by YOUxTalks | Jun 14, 2025 | Entertainment

Arjun Rampal has stepped into fatherhood not once, but twice—across two different generations. With two grown daughters and two young sons, the actor reflects on how his role as a parent has changed over time, and how life, love, and personal struggles have shaped the way he raises his kids.

Arjun is a proud father to four children—daughters Mahikaa (23) and Myra (20) with his ex-wife Mehr Jesia, and sons Arik (6) and Ariv (2) with his partner Gabriella Demetriades. The family is spread across phases of life, yet emotionally close.

“Mahikaa and Myra dote on the boys. Arik loves his didis. He spends a lot of time with them at their home in Mumbai, and he’s friends with Mehr, too. He’s quite a charmer. I think he got that from his mom,” says Arjun Rampal.

He talks about how parenting, and he himself, have evolved over time. There’s love, learning, bonding, and a conscious effort to do better. With honesty, he opens up about how his own childhood experiences with his father impacted him.

“I loved my dad, but unfortunately, at some point, he became addicted to alcohol”

“I loved my dad, but unfortunately, at some point, he became addicted to alcohol. My initial years with him were great, then in the middle, due to the addiction, there wasn’t any communication between us. I distanced myself, and the relationship got strained. Towards the end, in the later stage of his life, I started helping him. I took him to rehab and got him connected back with his family. I had not spoken with him for years. We started writing letters to each other, and that’s when we renewed our relationship. But then, he got really ill, suffered a heart attack and passed away. I wish we could have spent more time with us. My dad left, then my mom passed away, and that’s when they sent me my baby boy to fill that void,” he says.

“Addiction of any kind comes from a lot of pain or trauma,” he continues.
“I don’t think any parent wants to let their children down. I don’t think that was my father’s intention. Addiction of any kind comes from a lot of pain or trauma, which that person must have gone through in their past. I wonder what it was that took him down that route. Sadly, I could never get down to the root of that. I openly talk to my kids about it, as I don’t want them to ever fall into addiction,” he shares.

“Right now, the closest to me is Arik”

Every child has a special place in his heart, but Arjun shares a current closeness with his son Arik.

“Each child holds a unique place in his heart. Both the girls have had a rough time because their parents are not together. In that situation, to grow so maturely and embrace my life so beautifully… I’m very fortunate to see the way they’ve embraced Gabriella, too. They’re like her best friends. Mahikaa knows there’s always that tenderness I have towards her. Myra has me wrapped around her finger. She’ll be aloof and then come back and get everything she wants from me. Right now, the closest to me is Arik, because he’s at that stage where he is clingy and really wants to hang out with me. Ariv is a baby, and he’s really at that cute and cuddly stage,” he says.

When asked about the bond Gabriella shares with the children, he says they’re quite a modern family. And when asked about tying the knot, Arjun simply smiles and says—

“50 is the new 30”

Fatherhood came again for Arjun in his late 40s, and it’s been a refreshing journey for him.

“Ariv was born when I was 50, and 50 is the new 30 (laughs). But really, it’s just a number. What I do is take good care of my health, as I want to stay really fit and be there for them,” the actor says.

“One of the hardest things is letting go of your kids”

Letting his children go out into the world has been one of the most emotional phases of fatherhood for Arjun.

“You can’t keep protecting them and letting go is one hard thing you have to do as a parent. When Mahikaa had to go to London to study, I couldn’t take it. I made sure all my shoots were in London so I could spend more time with her. Now Myra’s gone to study, and I’m happy to see how responsible she’s become. A lot of that credit goes to Mehr. She’s been amazing with them.”

On Parenting Today

Rampal believes parenting today has changed for the better. He speaks against harsh methods and believes in being emotionally available for children.

“Parenting has evolved so much. Scolding and raising your voice are things that don’t work, because when you do that, your kids start imitating you.”

Arjun Rampal’s journey as a father is layered—with love, mistakes, learning, and deep emotional awareness. From helping his father battle addiction to raising his own children in a modern, conscious household, he represents a new-age father who is not afraid to speak with vulnerability.

Whether he’s spending time with his sons, staying close to his daughters, or blending his family with warmth and mutual respect—Arjun Rampal shows that being a father is not about perfection, but about presence, patience, and evolving love.