Akshay Kumar's wife Twinkle Khanna reveals their daughter Nitara gave up swimming when a relative compared her skin tone with brother Aarav

Akshay Kumar with daughter

 
In her blog for The Times of India, Twinkle wrote, “There was a time when my little one wanted to discontinue her swimming lessons. A tan had become her nemesis. ‘I want to be the same colour as bhaiya.’ A chance remark by a foolish relative within her earshot had not gone unnoticed. ‘She is so cute but not as fair as her brother!’”

Twinkle, who truly believes that books act as a navigational tool to guide us through life, handed her daughter Frida Kahlo’s illustrated biography after seeing her demotivated and concerned for her skin tone. Frida Kahlo was a Mexican painter, popularly known for her uncompromising and brilliantly colored self-portraits that explored themes such as identity, human body, and death, among others. Twinkle wrote, “She had gleaming skin of a shade not unlike hers, with eyebrows that met in the centre, a formidably talented woman as a role model.”

After reading the book, Twinkle shared that her daughter now claims, “She doesn’t need to use as much sunblock as her brother. ‘White is a light colour, so it gets dirty fast like my T-shirt; brown is darker, so it doesn’t.’”

The author of Mrs. Funnybones also shared how, in this digital age, after nagging her daughter to read and failed threats of a tight slap, she implied the advice of her father Rajesh Khanna, who was also an avid reader, and started this ritual of reading books with her daughter being on the “same page,” but just not at the same time. Twinkle wrote, “We made a deal that included reading a minimum of 20 pages a day and annotating the book. We would underline words we didn’t understand, compete in marking interesting passages and great metaphors, leave comments and questions for each other in the margins.”

She added, “My daughter and I chased each other’s thoughts and ideas on the margins of the printed pages. If I needed to prod her to read more, instead of bribes or threats, I just had to tell her that I was way ahead. Then, like the PT Usha of literary pursuits, she would race across the pages.”

After tying the knot with Akshay Kumar in 2001, Twinkle Khanna quit acting, citing she didn’t enjoy the profession anymore. Ever since, Twinkle has authored several books, including "Mrs. Funnybones," "The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad," and "Pyjamas Are Forgiving." Her transition from acting to writing has been widely acclaimed, and she has established herself as a successful author.

Akshay Kumar, in a recent interview, praised Twinkle for her role as a mother and her academic pursuits. At the age of 50, Twinkle is pursuing a PhD, an endeavor that Kumar deeply admires.

 
Akshay expressed his pride in Twinkle’s achievements, both as a mother and a scholar. He recounted how Twinkle has taken excellent care of their children while continuing to advance her education. "She is 50 now and still goes to study. She has finished her master's and is now doing her PhD," he noted, emphasizing Twinkle’s dedication and resilience.

This story of Nitara’s struggle and eventual triumph over a relative’s thoughtless remark is a poignant reminder of the impact words can have on young minds. It also underscores the power of parental support and the role of education in fostering self-worth. Twinkle Khanna’s proactive approach in addressing her daughter’s insecurities through literature and positive role models is an inspiring example for parents dealing with similar issues.