Varun Dhawan Admits To Having 'Dad Guilt' Amid Baby John Promotions: 'Have I Become That Guy?'

Ahead of the release of 'Baby John', Varun Dhawan confessed to having felt 'dad guilt' for not spending enough time with his baby girl.

Bollywood’s heartthrob, Varun Dhawan is experiencing a new kind of love, and guilt, since embracing fatherhood earlier this year. The actor, who welcomed his daughter, Lara with his wife, Natasha Dalal on June 3, 2024, opened up about the challenges of balancing his packed schedule with family life, especially as a new father. During a recent appearance on Pinkvilla Masterclass, Varun confessed to feeling ‘hard dad guilt’ for not being able to spend enough time with his baby girl due to his hectic work commitments.

Varun Dhawan shares his struggle as a father

Varun made an emotional revelation when he shared his experience as a father with a packed-up schedule. The Student of the Year star confessed that his demanding schedule leaves him longing for precious moments with Lara. He explained how this phase in his life has brought out emotions he never knew existed. Varun shared:

“Right now, there’s a lot happening in my life. That (fatherhood) is the biggest highlight of my life and I was thinking that Natasha and my baby and my dog Joey, fulfil me in a way… when I finish work, I want to go home and be with them. But there is also a side within me that sometimes is like ‘Am I, have I become that guy? Am I that family guy now who rushes home and only stays with the family?'"

Talking about his feelings, Varun explains that just like new moms with a career, he also feels getting eaten up by a ‘hard dad guilt’, thinking that he is not present by his wife’s side, and often letting her single-handedly manage baby duties. The actor confesses:

“But that dad guilt, if that’s even a word, eats me up from inside. Because my wife does everything for the baby. I mean everything. Single-handedly, Natasha is doing everything. Just to be there with her as a co-parent, just to help her…that guilt is always within me."

Varun Dhawan recalls getting overwhelmed by emotions since becoming a father

During the same conversation, Varun poured his heart out while describing the overwhelming emotions of fatherhood, something he had never experienced before. Expressing how deeply he misses his daughter during his busy days, Varun admitted:

“I literally don't have a second. It’s very strange and I've never felt like this. I've never felt this kind of love in my life. I've never felt this kind of missing like I have…right now, the way I'm missing her is strange; it's very strange to me because I've never felt this feeling before.”

Varun Dhawan talks about his bond with Alia Bhatt after becoming parents

A few days ago, Varun sat for a chat with Bollywood Hungama, where he revealed that his baby girl, Lara has already met Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor’s daughter, Raha Kapoor. The Bhediya star also reveals that whenever he and Alia meet, their conversations only revolve around their kids.

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Varun Dhawan’s work front

Varun’s next film, Baby John, is slated for release on December 25, 2024. Directed by Kalees, the movie is an official remake of the Tamil hit, Theri, starring Vijay. The action drama revolves around a DCP who changes his life to protect his family. The film also stars Jackie Shroff, Keerthy Suresh, Wamiqa Gabbi, Sanya Malhotra, and Rajpal Yadav.

What do you think about Varun Dhawan’s revelations?

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