Alia doesn’t need my approval: Soni

Soni Razdan says she is not a paranoid mother and believes in giving her daughters, Alia and Shaheen Bhatt, enough space

Actor-director Soni

Razdan (above) seems to be the best mother that one can ask for. She lets her daughters, Alia Bhatt (24) and Shaheen Bhatt (29), be the way they want and isn’t worried about the men in their lives or their plans to get married. Rather, Soni gives more importance to the fact that both her daughters are content with what they are doing.

“Like every mother, I also want Alia and Shaheen to be happy. Whatever they do, they should feel satisfied doing it. I’m not a paranoid mother, who will push them to settle down. Marriage will happen, when they are ready to take the plunge. They are grownup enough to decide what would work best for them. I want them to be happy and settled as individuals first. They should find their groove in life, especially at a time when so much is happening all around,” she says, adding that she and her husband, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, are always there for their daughters.

On rumours that Alia is dating Student of The Year (2012) co-star Sidharth Malhotra, Soni says, “Alia is big enough to take her own decisions. Alia now lives in a separate house. She can make her independent choice. Also, I am not someone who will grill them about everything. There are some nice boys around and they can be with anyone. Varun (Dhawan) and Sidharth are both so lovely. If Alia is really close to them, then there shouldn’t be any problem.” Soni, who has been a part of films such as Saaransh (1984), Sadak (1991), Sir (1993) and Love Breakups Zindagi (2011), also feels that falling in love is very common and healthy. “Two single, young souls can fall in love, what’s the big deal? Rather it’s a good thing,” she adds.

PHOTO: PRAMOD THAKUR / HT Shaheen Bhatt and Alia Bhatt

PHOTO: YOGEN SHAH