How a Small Word Made Me Rethink Everything
When Vikrant Massey first heard his son Vardaan try to say “papa” at Vardaan’s grandmother’s house, something inside clicked. It was not the perfect pronunciation that mattered, but the fact that Vardaan was reaching out with that single syllable. Vikrant Massey remembered the moment as if it happened yesterday – the tiny fingers grasping for a word, the bright eyes searching for a response. In that instant, Vikrant Massey felt a wave of responsibility mixed with an unexpected vulnerability.
Vikrant Massey has always been a busy man on sets, traveling from Mumbai to Goa, then to Delhi for the next shoot. Yet, every time the camera stopped rolling, Vikrant Massey would find the mind drifting back home, imagining Vardaan’s giggles and Sheetal Thakur’s soft voice. The simple act of Vardaan attempting “papa” made Vikrant Massey realise that the real script of life was being written at home, not on any set.
Balancing Work and Fatherhood – A Daily Tug‑of‑War
Vikrant Massey explained to Parineeti Chopra that after becoming a father, the routine of early morning chai with Sheetal Thakur, bedtime stories for Vardaan, and quick trips to the local market felt like a lifeline. On the other hand, the demanding schedule of shooting meant long hours on set, often with snacking on those cheap biscuits that the crew shares. Vikrant Massey would be standing under bright lights, thinking about the lullaby Sheetal Thakur sang to Vardaan just a few rooms away.
In most cases, Vikrant Massey found himself counting the minutes between scenes, just to call home and hear Vardaan’s tiny voice. Those calls became a ritual – a quick check‑in to see if Vardaan was smiling, whether Sheetal Thakur had managed a fresh batch of mangoes for the afternoon snack, or if Vardaan finally managed to pronounce “papa” without stumbling. The constant mental switch between character and father left Vikrant Massey drained, both emotionally and physically.
Vikrant Massey admitted that the exhaustion was not just from the physical workload. It was the emotional weight of being away when Vardaan needed his presence the most. Vikrant Massey said, “You know how much we give of ourselves emotionally, physically, mentally. As a first‑time father, my attention was always at home.” That line summed up a feeling many parents in India share – the silent sacrifice of being away from the family while trying to provide for them.
Dad Guilt – The Unspoken Companion
Sheetal Thakur, who was present during the chat with Parineeti Chopra, pointed out that Vikrant Massey experienced what most new dads call “dad guilt”. It’s that weird feeling of watching a commercial where a dad is the hero, while inside, Vikrant Massey feels like a background character in his own family drama. Sheetal Thakur said, “Vikrant Massey felt ‘dad guilt’. He kept wondering if he was missing out on Vardaan’s first steps, first words, first school day.”
Vikrant Massey recalled that when Vardaan was at the grandmother’s house, the attempt to say “papa” hit a raw nerve. “That’s when it struck me – it was time to go back home,” Vikrant Massey said. The realization was not a sudden epiphany but a gradual build‑up of tiny moments – a missed bedtime story, a forgotten lullaby, a hurried goodbye at the airport.
Vikrant Massey also compared the experience to new mothers, saying that new fathers feel odd stepping out of the house, leaving a tiny person behind. In Indian households, where the father is often seen as the primary provider, the internal conflict becomes even sharper. Vikrant Massey noted that society pushes men out of the house, yet the heart wants to stay, to watch Vardaan crawl, to celebrate his first “papa”.
Societal Expectations vs. Personal Desires
In most Indian families, there is a deep‑rooted idea that the man must be the breadwinner, the one who steps out to earn, while the woman tends to the home. Vikrant Massey talked about this conditioning, stating that it often makes fathers feel envious of mothers who get to stay home and be present for every little milestone.
Vikrant Massey shared a simple example: during a shoot in Hyderabad, the crew would take a tea break, and Vikrant Massey would stare at his phone, waiting for a video of Vardaan’s latest attempt at saying “mummu” or “papa”. Those moments made Vikrant Massey feel vulnerable, as if the ego that usually carried him through award ceremonies was suddenly humbled by a baby’s innocent word.
Vikrant Massey stressed that it’s okay for new fathers to feel this way. The actor urged other dads to accept the vulnerability, to understand that feeling the urge to return home does not make them any less strong. “It’s natural to envy the one who gets to stay back,” Vikrant Massey said, “We end up calling every thirty minutes just to see the baby’s face.”
Deciding to Take a Break – The Announcement
Two months after that heartfelt moment with Vardaan, Vikrant Massey made a public announcement about taking a break from acting. The announcement came shortly after the release of The Sabarmati Report, a project that gained a lot of attention. Vikrant Massey didn’t give a dramatic press statement; instead, he posted a simple note explaining that he wanted to spend as much time as possible with Vardaan and Sheetal Thakur.
Vikrant Massey mentioned that the break turned out to be “the biggest earning of my life – I have received more than I ever wanted”. By “earning”, Vikrant Massey meant the priceless moments spent with the family, not monetary gain. This break allowed Vikrant Massey to be present for Vardaan’s first day at the local preschool, to help Sheetal Thakur with midnight diaper changes, and to enjoy simple weekend walks to the park near their home.
Vikrant Massey’s decision also sparked a conversation among fellow actors about the pressures of the industry. Many started to question whether the fast‑paced lifestyle was sustainable for new parents. Vikrant Massey’s openness became a gentle reminder that personal well‑being and family bonds sometimes outweigh career ambitions.
Recent Projects – Filmed Before the Break
Even though Vikrant Massey announced a break, audiences still saw him in a couple of projects that were shot before the decision. Vikrant Massey appeared in Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, a film starring Shanaya Kapoor, which was completed prior to the break. The actor also made a brief appearance in O’Romeo, a film featuring Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri. Both these works reached the public after the announcement, reminding fans that Vikrant Massey’s talent continues to resonate.
Vikrant Massey clarified that these projects were not a sign of returning to a hectic schedule, but rather a culmination of work done before deciding to prioritize family. The actor’s face on the screen now carries a different meaning – a reminder of a moment in time before the pause, a snapshot of a busy life that has now given way to a slower, more intimate rhythm.
Fans have responded with support, sending messages that range from “take your time, we miss you” to “happy dad moments for you”. The love from the audience has made Vikrant Massey feel even more confident about his choice, reinforcing that the industry can be flexible when it matters most.
Everyday Life as a New Dad – Small Joys and Challenges
On a typical weekday, Vikrant Massey’s routine involves waking up early, preparing a simple breakfast of poha for Vardaan, and then getting Vardaan ready for school. After dropping Vardaan at the local school, Vikrant Massey meets Sheetal Thakur for a quick coffee at a nearby stall – the same one where they used to meet during their early dating days. Those moments of sipping masala chai together bring back the nostalgia of when the couple first fell in love.
Evenings are filled with bedtime stories, often a mix of classic Indian folklore and the latest cartoon episodes. Vikrant Massey enjoys narrating stories of the Panchatantra, watching Vardaan’s eyes widen with curiosity. After Vardaan’s sleep, Vikrant Massey spends some quiet time reading scripts, but the focus is different now – it’s about picking stories that can later be shared with his son.
Weekends are another special time. Vikrant Massey likes to take Vardaan and Sheetal Thakur to the park, where they play cricket on the small grounds, or simply enjoy a family picnic under the shade of a large banyan tree. The actor recounts a memory of Vardaan trying to hit a cricket ball with a plastic bat and missing, only to burst into laughter. Those little episodes are what Vikrant Massey calls “the biggest earnings”.
Message to Fellow Fathers
Vikrant Massey ends his conversation with a heartfelt message for other new fathers. He says, “It’s okay to feel vulnerable and want to go back home. The pressure to always be the provider can make us forget that our presence is a priceless gift.” Vikrant Massey encourages dads to talk openly about their feelings, to not hide behind a mask of strength. By sharing his own experience, Vikrant Massey hopes to break the stigma surrounding dad guilt.
In the Indian context, where joint families often have multiple generations living together, Vikrant Massey acknowledges that support from grandparents can be a blessing. Yet, the actor emphasizes that the bond between a father and his child is unique, and the desire to be present cannot be replaced by anyone else.
Vikrant Massey’s story serves as a gentle reminder that taking a break does not mean giving up on one's career. Instead, it is about re‑aligning priorities, choosing moments that truly matter. As Vikrant Massey puts it, “I am still an actor; I just chose to be a dad first, for now.”
