I am not a protective father: Anil Kapoor

Anil Kapoor may have kept his children -- Sonam, Rhea and Harshvardhan -- away from the limelight during their growing up years but the actor says he is no longer a protective father.

The 59-year-old star says he is confident that his children, who all are part of the film industry, can take care of themselves.

"I wanted my kids to lead a normal, simple life and concentrate on their education. I am not a protective father. I think parents need to be protective when they are kids but, now they are grown ups. They can take their own decisions.

"The truth is, we are not going to stay with them forever and they have to look after themselves and they are doing it very nicely," Anil told PTI.

The "Welcome Back" actor feels happy to see the way his daughter Sonam deals with fame and hopes his son, who will be making his acting debut with Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's "Mirzya," is able to do the same.

"I am really happy with the way Sonam deals with the media and everything. Soon, Harshvardhan will also face it and I am sure he will also adjust well to the celebrity status."

Unlike her siblings, who have chosen acting, Rhea has made her career in Bollywood as a producer. She has backed projects like "Aisha" and "Khoobsurat".

Her next venture is  "Veere Di Wedding" which stars sister Sonam along with Kareena Kapoor Khan, Swara Bhaskar and Shikha Talsania. The all-female starrer project will be directed by Shashanka Ghosh.

Kareena, who is pregnant with her first child, will be shooting for the film in August.

"The times are changing in Bollywood now even actresses are as a big a star as actors. They are getting paid equal and even more in some cases.

"The biggest example of today's brave modern woman is Kareena Kapoor. She is pregnant, but script is ready and she is doing my daughter's film. What else can be the biggest change than this. It is a very brave and great decision on Kareena and Rhea's part," he says.