Akshay Kumar: Aarav doesn’t want to be known as my son

Akshay Kumar has spent decades being one of Bollywood’s most visible stars. His son Aarav Bhatia, the actor says, wants the opposite. In a conversation on Into The Wild With Bear Grylls, Akshay opened up about why Aarav is rarely part of the filmi conversation, and his answer is a reminder that not every star kid is waiting for the spotlight.

“He just doesn’t want to tell anyone that he’s my son. He wants to be away from the limelight. He wants to have his own identity,” Akshay said. He added that he understands the choice and lets Aarav be the way he wants to be.

Those words carry weight in an industry built on visibility. Where many star kids grow up with paparazzi familiar with their faces, Aarav has chosen a quieter path. Akshay framed it not as rebellion but as identity: his son wants to be judged on his own terms, not as an extension of a famous father.

A rare star-kid choice

Bollywood routinely treats a famous surname as a headline. Debates around lineage, privilege and debuts keep star kids in the public eye even before their first film. Against that backdrop, a child who asks to stay out of frame is unusual.

This is also a parenting choice. Instead of pushing a second generation toward the arc lights, Akshay says he gives Aarav space. The result is a boundary many public families struggle to hold.

The values behind the decision

Akshay has often credited his father, who served in the army, as his only influence. That background shapes his respect for people in uniform and his support for causes that serve military families. It also places Aarav’s privacy in context: Akshay has always spoken about rules and values more than fame.

• Aarav’s stance: He doesn’t want to be introduced as Akshay Kumar’s son.
• Limelight: He’d rather stay away from it.
• Identity: He wants his own, and Akshay says he understands.
• Father’s influence: Akshay calls his army father his only influence and hopes Aarav carries those values.

Bharat Ke Veer and a family’s attachment to uniform

In the same conversation, Akshay explained why he supports military personnel. “I love somebody who is wearing a uniform. I have a special attachment,” he said, tracing it to his father’s army service.

He also explained how Bharat Ke Veer works: contributions go directly to the families of martyred personnel, not through a government fund, and donors are visible to the families. It is a small but practical way for fans to act on that same respect.

Why this matters now

At a time when celebrity lineage is often treated as content in itself, Aarav’s choice is a quiet counterpoint. It reminds fans that not every star kid wants the same spotlight, and that a famous surname can feel like a shadow to step out of rather than a door to walk through. The nepotism conversation assumes the family name is an advantage; Aarav’s stance suggests it can also feel like a burden.

For now, the respectful move is simple: take the cue and give the privacy he has asked for.

Source: The Times of India