Sandeep soparkar biography of donald
He held out his toy for me and I knew he was mine: Single dad Sandip Soparrkar on adopting son Arjun
Excerpts from a conversation
As an adoptive parent, do you remember the first time you met Arjun?
When I met my son for the first time, and he walked into the room, I smiled at him and said “Hello”. He had a dinky car in his hand, and he held it out, offering it to me. That was it. We played with the car and post that, I realised that I was with a caring, friendly soul who did not even shy away from sharing his belongings with a stranger. I knew he would grow up into a confident, caring person. After our game, I asked him to kiss me. And Arjun did, joyfully. That melted my heart.
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How is he as a teenager?
He wants less of me around (bursts into laughter). These days, children think we parents are fools. And that they know everything (laughs).
Are you saying he is too busy with the screen, like most other kids?
No. I have not given him a smartphone. He has a regular mobile phone, nothing fancy. But luckily he is not too fond of screens, even the television. He loves strumming his guitar, playing with the dog, going out with friends, swimming…Of course, now he does not want Papa around. He wants to do his own thing.
Do you involve him in your work?
He isn’t fond of dancing, and I am fine with that. But he does attend my rehearsals and give his expert comments (laughs).
Like?
I am working on this new dance drama centred around the historical character Karna, from Mahabharata. Sometimes I forget my lines, and then he gives the cues. I get a viewer’s perspective from him, too. He comments on how forgetful I am and I tell him that I am growing old.
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How do you react?
Well, there is a line in the drama when I have to say “Arjunaaaa…!” rather theatrically. I employ that (laughs). But you know what, I am enjoying this phase too when he is going through his teen
Sandip Soparrkar
Text & Photographs: Farzana Contractor
Location: Taste of Punjab, Mumbai
Chocolate! And more chocolate!! Dessert for me begins and ends with chocolate. Forget strawberries, you could dip a piece of leather in chocolate and give me to eat and I might! I don't have a sweet tooth, I have a mouthful of sweet teeth.
Before dance took over your soul, you worked in a hotel, I believe...
Yes, I am a hotel graduate. Studied at IHM Poona. And this was thanks to an uncle and his wife, both of whom worked with The Taj.
Tell me more...
I was 10 years old and went for a holiday to Lake Palace in Udaipur where my uncle was GM and aunt, Executive Head of House Keeping. And what a blast I had. Octopussy was being shot there and I watched everything in total bewilderment. The hotel world seemed so glamorous, so beautiful, I was hooked. I decided this was what I wanted to do when I grew up.
But it didn't last, obviously.
No it didn't. I worked the front office at Holiday Inn in Poona and saw absolutely no glamour. I quit and went to Germany to lea dance; ballroom dancing.
Where was this? How long were you away?
In Bonn. At the ISTD (Imperial Society Teachers of Dancing). Five years, it was tough, but magical.
You also acquired a PhD in World Mythology...
That was just after I finished with the dance school. I am very intrigued by the subject. Got my certificate in 2006 from Pacifica University of California.
And thanks to dancing and your dance troupe, you travel a lot.
Oh yes, in India for weddings and corporate events and abroad for special functions, shows, to attend programmes, for workshops, to speak at seminars etc.
And so you tend to try out a lot of new cuisines, new restaurants?
That's the best
Sandip Soparrkar
Sandip Soparrkar
Biological or not, having children is a wonderful blessing. However, matters of adoption have always invited unwanted questions in the past. Thankfully, the stigma has now lessened down and we have to thank celebrities for that. While Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have won hearts for their beautiful rainbow family, Indian celebrities aren't any far behind.
If there's one celebrity, whose name comes into mind when we talk of adoption, it has to be Bollywood ace choreographer Sandip Soparrkar. The Choreographer was just 40 when he adopted his first child, Arjun, for which, he had to face a long legal battle. Making him the first single father to adopt in India.
Recently he went on to adopt another child, Kabir in the year 2021. While Sandip Soparrkar decision to become a single parent was quite unheard of, the choreographer often mentioned that he never felt the need to second guess his decision, and it all felt natural to him. Now he's become first Indian for being single father of two kids. Sandip's decision definitely opened a lot of doors for people who wished to embrace single parenthood in the country.
About Sandip Soparrkar's Adoption, Madhavi Mhatre, Director, BalAnand, Worldchildren Welfare Trust India, says, "It has been a very positive experience and pleasure to have Sandip Soparkar adopt yet again from our children's home. We had the joy of placing his first son Arjun with him, when we were convinced of his dedication and commitment. We have seen Arjun grow up to what he is today and had no hesitation in processing the adoption a second time when Kabir was chosen. What makes Sandip special, is not the fact that he has adopted, but his complete acceptance of the Child he adopted.”
The world does not undergo any change because a child is adopted, but for every adopted child his/her world changes after adoption. Soparrkar has always chosen the path less chosen and adopting the second time Sandip Soparrkar: The dancing dad who has all the parenting moves
What made you want to adopt?
It was just something I always wanted to do since I was a teenager. There are adoption cases in my family. A few of my cousin sisters have been adopted. My favourite sister is an adopted child. When I was young, I thought I would do it when I am financially and emotionally stronger. I just took that step very naturally without thinking because I love children. I didn’t even know that I would be the first single man to adopt till it came out in the news.
PRESENT PAPA: Sandip Soparrkar skips parties to spend time with Arjun and Kabir (centre)
You had to fight a long battle …
There was a four-year-long struggle because there were no rules, or rather there were some rules but they had never been exercised by anybody. The adoption law is strange in so many ways. A woman above 18 can adopt a child, but a man needs to be above 30 to adopt. Moreover, to be considered fit for adoption, a man has to submit proof of his financial standing whereas a woman need not. I can’t say whether this is right or wrong, but I find it unfair because it took me four years to fight for the right to adopt. I had gone to so many orphanages but none even considered me. I was asked why I should get a child when a couple or single woman could take him. I was even questioned about