Kareena Kapoor has often spoken candidly about the challenges of balancing motherhood with her career as one of Bollywood’s most celebrated actors. Over the years, she has shared insights into how becoming a mother has reshaped her personality and outlook on life. Now, in the latest episode of Soha Ali Khan’s podcast, Kareena opened up at length about the contrasting parenting styles she and her husband, actor Saif Ali Khan, follow while raising their sons, Taimur Ali Khan and Jehangir (Jeh) Ali Khan. Kareena revealed that Saif often takes on the role of a friendly and playful parent, spending time with their children and doing things they all enjoy. "I also feel that fathers are there to make friends with their boys, to understand them and make them feel comfortable about a lot of things. So he does a lot of that. He’s more into playing sports with them. He plays cricket and football, and he loves playing the guitar and drums with them. So we kind of balance it out," she said. However, despite his easy-going nature, she also noted that Saif can still be a figure of authority when needed, something she occasionally uses to her advantage. "None of us ever really get angry. Though, if you really want to get something done, you have to say, ‘Okay, Abba will get really angry,’ because I think somewhere, the two boys, more than me, are scared of Saif." Describing her own approach, Kareena admitted she can sometimes be an overprotective parent and a "helicopter mom," while Saif often helps her stay grounded. "I think he’s an amazing father to all his four children. He’s extremely brave, loving, caring, and always there. Also, I think he’s someone who, if I’m going wrong, because I tend to be overprotective or a helicopter mom, he’s always like, ‘No, listen, relax. You have to kind of understand. You have to be the calm one. Stop telling them: ‘Okay, you have to eat this,’ or ‘You have to do that.’" Also Read | Homebound screenwriters on receiving feedback from Martin Scorsese, addressing criticism: ‘The spirit of living despite all odds’ Kareena went on to explain how their different temperaments help them complement each other as parents. "I think he’s the more relaxed parent, and I sometimes get a little hyper. But I think that’s what mothers and fathers do; they balance it out." Acknowledging Saif’s experience as a father of four — he shares daughter Sara Ali Khan and son Ibrahim Ali Khan with his ex-wife Amrita Singh — Kareena said his perspective often helps her navigate her own parenting journey. "Saif and I are very different because, obviously, he’s been a father before, he’s a lot more experienced. Mine is a first-time journey that I’m experiencing each day. But still, I think it’s different for him too because the children are very young." In a lighter moment, she added with a laugh: "We’re very competitive about who gets more hugs, that’s for sure. Because if they hug me more, he goes into a sulk; if they hug him more, I get into a sulk. So that’s fun too, we’re learning through that." Earlier this year, during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Kareena had expressed similar sentiments, highlighting how much their children enjoy spending time with Saif. "They love it when Saif is there, because Saif is such a lovely father, and he is a hands-on father. Also, they get extra TV time when he is around. My elder one loves to play guitar and drums with Saif. When I am not around, they always get extra TV time. The father always spoils them; otherwise, I am always like 'Go to bed.'" Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan fell in love on the sets of Tashan in 2008 and tied the knot in 2012. The couple welcomed their first son, Taimur, in 2016 and their second, Jehangir, in 2021. On the work front, Kareena will next be seen alongside Prithviraj Sukumaran in Daayra, directed by Meghna Gulzar, which is currently in pre-production. Saif, meanwhile, is filming Priyadarshan’s Haiwaan and is also expected to begin work on Race 4 soon.
