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Ziva calls Dhoni ‘mama’!

Captain of the Indian national cricket team Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who gave us so many unforgettable memories playing for Chennai Super Kings, was recently in Chennai.

Captain of the Indian national cricket team Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who gave us so many unforgettable memories playing for Chennai Super Kings, was recently in Chennai.

Captain Cool is as relaxed as ever, as he talks to us about the ups and downs of being a busy dad, him admiring actor Sushant’s dedication towards playing the on-screen version of MSD and more.

How much are you enjoying fatherhood — now that you get to enjoy a considerable amount of time with your daughter Ziva When she was born, I was not here. In fact, the first time I saw her was a couple of months (later) and after that she was with us through the whole of IPL. Then it was again, very on and off. But nowadays, I’m getting to spend a bit more time with her and I’m enjoying that part, because children learn something every day and forget something — it’s always fun. You know, the first willing hug from my daughter’s side came only in the last 15 days! I’m enjoying that and it’s actually a special moment — now she recognises me, and tries to interact with me. But since she’s spent way more time with her mom, she often calls me ‘mama’ instead of ‘papa’! But I’ve somehow learnt to make my peace with that. (grins)

How active a role do you play as a father — do you feed her, help change her diaper... those sort of things Well, that way we are quite blessed. When it comes to changing her diaper, we have a nanny! (laughs) Sakshi is around, her grandparents are also there, so I think I come right at the bottom (for her).

When it comes to feeding her and all, Ziva is very well-behaved, so we don’t have to worry too much about it. In fact, she even feeds both me and Sakshi, and and follows a typical schedule — so it’s all good. Even at such an early age, Ziva is very active and independent — she’s not the type you have to keep carrying around on your lap. But I have to keep going behind her, because she keeps roaming around from the time she wakes up until she sleeps!

The trailer of your biopic is breaking all records — did you manage to go on location, and teach Sushant Singh Rajput the technicalities, the language modulation, your mannerisms and other things Sushant has spent some time in Patna (when) it was the undivided Bihar, so he has a glimpse of what it feels to be there and that has actually helped him to some extent. When it comes to the cricket aspect — he has done a lot of practice! In fact, I think he trained for seven or eight months, and was very religious about it.

That’s the reason the shots he has played so far, which you see in the trailers, all look quite authentic. Of course, what has helped him, is that I was never very orthodox. I was anyway playing stuff that was never really by the book, but I feel that he has put in a lot of effort.

Yes, I did spend a lot of time with him before the start of the shoot because he wanted to meet me, see what my thinking is, et al. I feel it is the actor’s way of getting into the character. I don’t know how much I have helped him, but he sure has done a fantastic job!

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