‘No father will be okay': How Sushmita Sen's father reacted when the actor adopted her daughters
Before she starred in blockbuster films, Sushmita Sen had already shown the world her fearless spirit as the Miss Universe. But her boldest act came not on a red carpet, but when she decided to adopt her daughter, Renee, at just 24 years old.
Sushmita once shared what that moment in court felt like. It was a decision that could have changed everything—not just for her, but for her family too.
'The judge looked at me and said, 'In my 38 years of practice, if I sign this order today, you and I are both going to be responsible if you don't do this job well.' And then he asked my father—that, I think, sealed it. He said, 'You do realise, Mr Sen, your daughter's marriage, everything will get affected with this decision. You okay with that?''
Her father's reply was raw and real: 'No father will be okay with that, Your Honour,' he said, honestly. 'But what I know for sure is we haven't raised her for her only identity to be someone's wife. She's chosen this—motherhood—and the one thing I know my daughter to do is follow through. She will follow through. And she has my support. She has her mother. She has the family. Give us, Renee.'
That moment ended with a powerful sound Sushmita still remembers: 'Just a thak! I will never forget that stamp he put.'
Today, Sushmita is a proud mother of two daughters—Renee and Alisah—and continues to inspire many. But perhaps what made that journey possible wasn't just her bravery, but the assurance of her father standing right behind her.
Counselling psychologist Srishti Vatsa says moments like these shape not just the lives of parents, but children too:
'A child sees themselves through how you see them. The words you use, the way you support them—it becomes part of their inner voice. That's how they build confidence.
Many parents withhold affection or approval because they think it toughens the child for the real world. But in truth, the absence of love and validation often does the opposite—it creates insecurity. What builds real confidence is knowing your parents are beside you while also letting you lead your own way.'
In Sushmita's case, her father's honest words gave her the confidence to do something most wouldn't have dared. And in doing so, he helped her create a world where her daughters could grow up knowing that their value isn't defined by societal boxes, but by the love and strength they carry within themselves.
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Indian Express
6 hours ago
- Indian Express
‘No father will be okay': How Sushmita Sen's father reacted when the actor adopted her daughters
Before she starred in blockbuster films, Sushmita Sen had already shown the world her fearless spirit as the Miss Universe. But her boldest act came not on a red carpet, but when she decided to adopt her daughter, Renee, at just 24 years old. Sushmita once shared what that moment in court felt like. It was a decision that could have changed everything—not just for her, but for her family too. 'The judge looked at me and said, 'In my 38 years of practice, if I sign this order today, you and I are both going to be responsible if you don't do this job well.' And then he asked my father—that, I think, sealed it. He said, 'You do realise, Mr Sen, your daughter's marriage, everything will get affected with this decision. You okay with that?'' Her father's reply was raw and real: 'No father will be okay with that, Your Honour,' he said, honestly. 'But what I know for sure is we haven't raised her for her only identity to be someone's wife. She's chosen this—motherhood—and the one thing I know my daughter to do is follow through. She will follow through. And she has my support. She has her mother. She has the family. Give us, Renee.' That moment ended with a powerful sound Sushmita still remembers: 'Just a thak! I will never forget that stamp he put.' Today, Sushmita is a proud mother of two daughters—Renee and Alisah—and continues to inspire many. But perhaps what made that journey possible wasn't just her bravery, but the assurance of her father standing right behind her. Counselling psychologist Srishti Vatsa says moments like these shape not just the lives of parents, but children too: 'A child sees themselves through how you see them. The words you use, the way you support them—it becomes part of their inner voice. That's how they build confidence. Many parents withhold affection or approval because they think it toughens the child for the real world. But in truth, the absence of love and validation often does the opposite—it creates insecurity. What builds real confidence is knowing your parents are beside you while also letting you lead your own way.' In Sushmita's case, her father's honest words gave her the confidence to do something most wouldn't have dared. And in doing so, he helped her create a world where her daughters could grow up knowing that their value isn't defined by societal boxes, but by the love and strength they carry within themselves.
India Today
a day ago
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Jacqueline Fernandez honoured at Italian Global Series Festival 2025
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Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Sushmita Sen was told to take a medicine every 8 hours for the rest of her life to survive. How she overcame health challenges and pill dependency
Sushmita Sen is no stranger to battling a health crisis. The 'Main Hoon Na' actress, who survived a massive heart attack in 2023, had been living with Addison's Disease, a rare autoimmune disorder , since 2014, and was told point-blank by her doctors that she had to take a steroid called hydrocortisone every eight hours to prolong her life. 'There is a hormone in the body called cortisol. My adrenal glands had stopped producing it. I had gone into an adrenal crisis. I was declared steroid-dependent for life,' she told Rajeev Masand in 2019. However, the actress was determined not to rely on drugs to stay alive. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Costco Shoppers Say This Wrinkle Cream Is "Actually Worth It" The Skincare Magazine Undo Choosing a Different Path Despite the diagnosis, Sushmita wasn't willing to accept a future that relied solely on pharmaceuticals. As soon as she grasped the seriousness of her condition, she made a decisive call to her fitness trainer and asked to begin training in gymnastics—something completely out of the ordinary for someone in her condition. 'The doctor said not to do any anti-gravity movements. The first thing I did was call my trainer... I don't like who I am becoming in the attempt to survive.' she told Masand She expressed a strong desire to try anti-gravity workouts, a form of aerial fitness, and pushed herself to defy the limitations that doctors had placed on her. She admitted that while this approach may not be advisable for everyone, especially those battling chronic diseases, she believed that her body was trying to guide her in a different direction. She also adopted a comprehensive detox program, trying every medical protocol she could. Along with that, she reintroduced yoga, aerial exercises, and anti-gravity training into her life. These became her tools not just for survival, but for transformation. An Unbelievable Turnaround One day, her journey took a shocking turn. After she collapsed unexpectedly, Sushmita was rushed from Dubai to Abu Dhabi for emergency medical care. Following her treatment, she was released and began her journey back to Dubai. During that time, her doctor from Turkey reached out with astonishing news. He told her to stop taking the hydrocortisone. Her body had started naturally producing cortisol again. The doctor, astounded, mentioned that in his 35 years of experience, he had never seen someone with adrenal failure regain natural hormone function. He had triple-checked the test results and was still in disbelief. For Sushmita, that moment was overwhelming—like receiving a divine message she had long waited for. Her body, once written off as steroid-dependent, had fought back and healed itself in a way that stunned even the most seasoned experts. Understanding Addison's Disease: A Complete Breakdown Addison's disease is a rare yet serious medical condition that arises when the adrenal glands fail to produce adequate amounts of specific vital hormones. According to a report from Harvard Health Publishing , this disorder particularly affects the production of cortisol—a hormone that plays a central role in the body's response to stress—and aldosterone, which is responsible for maintaining the balance of sodium and potassium. These minerals directly influence the volume of fluids in the body and help regulate blood pressure. Addison's disease falls under the category of adrenal insufficiency, where the glands don't function to their full capacity. What Causes Addison's Disease? The primary cause of Addison's disease is damage to the adrenal glands, which are small, triangular organs situated above each kidney. These glands are essential for the release of various hormones that control metabolism, manage blood pressure, and support immune system performance. In the majority of cases—up to 90 percent—this damage results from an autoimmune reaction. This means that the body's immune system, which is designed to defend against harmful invaders like viruses and bacteria, mistakenly attacks the adrenal glands instead. Over time, this misguided attack impairs the glands' ability to produce hormones, leading to the development of Addison's disease. Common Warning Signs People with Addison's disease typically experience a broad range of physical symptoms, many of which are related to hormonal imbalances in the body. These symptoms often develop gradually and may worsen over time if not treated. They include: Persistent nausea accompanied by vomiting Pain or discomfort in the abdominal region Frequent episodes of diarrhea A noticeable reduction in hunger or interest in food Unexplained weight loss Aching in muscles and joints Involuntary muscle cramps or twitching Ongoing feelings of muscle fatigue or weakness These signs are the body's way of signaling that the adrenal glands are not functioning properly. Because many of these symptoms are also found in other medical conditions, Addison's disease is sometimes misdiagnosed or goes undetected until the symptoms become severe.
