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Journalism of Courage
It’s been two years since former cricketer Shikhar Dhawan last saw his 11-year-old son, Zoravar. Following a bitter divorce battle with his ex-wife Ayesha Mukherjee in 2023, Dhawan has been cut off completely — unable to speak to his son or even see how he is doing, as he revealed that Ayesha has blocked him from all social media platforms. The separation hasn’t been easy, but Dhawan says he has come to terms with it emotionally and continues to stay connected to his son in a spiritual way.
Speaking to Ranveer Allahbadia on his podcast recently, Dhawan reflected on what advice he would give his son when Zoravar turns 31 or 32. “20 saal baad Zoravar hi 31-32 ka ho jayega. Zoravar ko yahi bolunga ki life mei khush rehna chahiye. Joh bhi kar khush reh. Khush rehne ke joh taur tarike hai woh hai ki apne andar jhako. Kamiyan ko dekho. Kya strength hai aur unko better. Bas yahi kehna hai, khush hi rhena hai (Twenty years from now, Zoravar will be around 31 or 32. What I’ll tell Zoravar is that one should be happy in life. Whatever you do, be happy doing it. The way to stay happy is to look within yourself. Acknowledge your shortcomings. Recognize your strengths and improve them. That’s all I want to say—just stay happy),” he said.
In an earlier conversation with ANI, Dhawan also opened up about navigating the pain of separation through spirituality and self-work: “It has been two years since I have seen my son, one year since I last spoke to him. It has been difficult, but you learn to live with it. I miss him and speak to him spiritually… I feel through affirmations that I am conversing with him every day, hugging him. I put my energy into it spiritually.”
Neha Cadabam, senior psychologist and executive director at Cadabams Hospitals, tells indianexpress.com, “Prolonged separation from one’s child can trigger an enduring sense of grief, often complicated by the fact that the child is still alive, yet unreachable. In such circumstances, the first step is acknowledging the complexity of the emotions involved, grief, helplessness, guilt, anger, and longing can coexist.”
Therapeutically, she says, “We encourage parents to find healthy ways to express their feelings, through journaling, therapy, creative outlets, or community support groups that understand parental alienation or estrangement.” Practicing self-compassion is essential. Many parents blame themselves, but healing starts by recognising that not all circumstances are within one’s control.
Cadabam states, “Advice rooted in self-reflection and happiness plants seeds for lifelong emotional intelligence. When a parent, especially a father figure, emphasises internal growth over external success, it signals to the child that self-worth doesn’t need to be tied to performance, achievements, or societal validation.”
Over time, she adds that such guidance fosters emotional resilience, because children who are taught to reflect, pause, and center their happiness are better equipped to process failure, navigate identity shifts, and maintain mental equilibrium during life’s inevitable ups and downs.
“Dhawan’s message, even if shared later in life, carries immense emotional weight. For a child to know that their parent prioritised their inner peace and self-awareness, even from a distance, can offer healing and grounding. It reminds them that strength lies not in suppressing emotion, but in understanding and integrating it,” the expert notes.
