Iqbal Khan, Arjun Punjj on Father's Day: Lessons their dads taught them
Synopsis
From integrity and patience to the sound of a father's voice echoing in their own parenting — Iqbal Khan, Arjun Punjj, and Muskan Bamne offer some of the most candid Father's Day reflections from Indian television this year, revealing how off-screen fathers quietly script the people their children become.
Key Takeaways
Iqbal Khan said becoming a father to two daughters changed how he sees his own father, crediting him for instilling integrity, patience, and respect .
Arjun Punjj recalled childhood drives and conversations with his father, saying he now hears his father's words when guiding his own children.
Muskan Bamne described her father as her loudest cheerleader at school events and before auditions, calling his belief in her 'a kind of love I will always treasure.' Actors Manish Wadhwa , Toral Rasputra , and Nitin Babu also shared tributes ahead of Father's Day on 19 June .
Television actors Iqbal Khan and Arjun Punjj, both currently seen in the drama 'Yaadein', joined several of their industry peers this Father's Day to reflect on the values, memories, and life lessons passed down by their fathers. Actors Manish Wadhwa, Toral Rasputra, Muskan Bamne, and Nitin Babu also shared tributes ahead of the occasion on Sunday, 19 June.
Iqbal Khan: Fatherhood as a mirror
Iqbal Khan, who plays Dr. Dev Mehta in 'Yaadein', said that becoming a parent fundamentally shifted his perspective on his own father. 'Becoming a father to two daughters completely changed the way I look at my own father. As children, we don't always realise the sacrifices our parents make to keep us safe and happy,' he said.
Khan added that the values his father instilled in him — 'integrity, patience, and respect for others' — continue to shape both his personal life and his work as an actor. 'Today, when I look at my daughters, I understand that responsibility much better,' he noted.
Arjun Punjj: Echoes of a father's voice
Arjun Punjj, who portrays Diggy in the same show, recalled quiet but formative moments with his father. 'Some of my favourite childhood memories are of spending time with my father, whether it was a drive together, a casual conversation or him patiently listening to my endless questions. He always made me feel heard,' Punjj said.
He added that those patterns now repeat in his own parenting. 'Sometimes, when I'm encouraging them or helping them through a setback, I hear my father's words coming through,' he said.
Muskan Bamne: A father's belief before self-belief
Muskan Bamne, who plays Shanaya in 'Pushpa Impossible', described her father as her earliest and most consistent champion. 'Whenever I think of my father, I think of all the little things he did to make me believe I could achieve anything — whether it was cheering the loudest at school events or reassuring me before an audition,' she said.
Bamne added that her father remains among the first people she calls when something goes well. 'His excitement for my achievements often feels bigger than my own and that's a kind of love I will always treasure,' she said, extending her wishes to 'all the wonderful fathers who believe in their children even before they learn to believe in themselves.'
A shared thread across the industry
Across the tributes, a common theme emerged: the lasting imprint of a father's quiet consistency — in listening, encouraging, and modelling values — over grand gestures. For these actors, the roles they play on screen appear to sit alongside a deeper, off-screen script shaped by the men who raised them.
Point of View
But what stands out here is the specificity — Khan on integrity, Punjj on being heard, Bamne on belief before self-belief. These are not generic platitudes; they map onto real parenting anxieties that resonate with audiences. Indian television's family-drama format thrives precisely because it mirrors these dynamics, which makes the off-screen candour of its cast unusually credible. The more interesting editorial question is why Father's Day draws this kind of reflection from male actors in ways that Mother's Day rarely does in reverse — a gap worth watching.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Iqbal Khan say about his father this Father's Day?
Iqbal Khan said that becoming a father to two daughters changed the way he views his own father, and that values like integrity, patience, and respect for others — instilled by his dad — continue to guide him as both an actor and a parent.
What memories did Arjun Punjj share about his father?
Arjun Punjj recalled childhood drives, casual conversations, and his father's patient habit of listening to his endless questions. He said he now finds himself passing on similar moments to his own children.
What did Muskan Bamne say about her father on Father's Day?
Muskan Bamne said her father cheered the loudest at her school events and reassured her before auditions, adding that he is still among the first people she calls when something good happens. She described his enthusiasm for her achievements as a form of love she will always treasure.
Which TV shows are Iqbal Khan and Arjun Punjj currently part of?
Both Iqbal Khan and Arjun Punjj are currently part of the television drama 'Yaadein'. Khan plays Dr. Dev Mehta while Punjj portrays the character Diggy.
Which other television actors shared Father's Day wishes?
Apart from Iqbal Khan, Arjun Punjj, and Muskan Bamne, actors Manish Wadhwa, Toral Rasputra, and Nitin Babu also shared Father's Day tributes ahead of the occasion on 19 June.
