Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani finally revealed their daughter’s name — Saraayah Malhotra — on November 28, four months after becoming parents, sharing a tender photo of them holding her tiny feet. Now, Sidharth has spoken at length about how fatherhood has transformed him and why announcing their daughter’s name felt like the right thing to do.Talking about their mornings at home, Sidharth shared that a new routine has taken over their life. “That’s our routine, waking up with her stretching. Life has definitely changed for the better ever since I became a girl dad. She’s in her best phase right now. I have never lost so many arguments to someone who can’t speak. I realised that I am no longer the hero of the house; she’s the superstar,” he said at a recent event.

Why they chose the name ‘Saraayah’

Sidharth also explained the meaning behind the name, calling it both spiritual and unique. “Saraayah is ‘Princess of God’. It’s not in Hindi, of course. It’s an exotic name that comes from the East. It’s actually a Hebrew name,” he revealed.He further shared that the couple had debated whether they should make the name public. “We were thinking whether we should announce it or not. Because har ghar mein announce karne ki zarurat nahi hoti (There is no need to announce it in every house). But then we realised we would make it official and announce her name,” he said.

‘I am improvising as a father’

Reflecting on navigating fatherhood without a fixed blueprint, Sidharth admitted that the role is one he is still discovering in real time. “I am improvising in the role as much as I can right now. We (today’s parents) have a better work-life balance, or at least the intent to do that. My father was not involved intricately while I was growing up; but we want to be a part of this process. So, there’s that shift.”He added that the freedom today’s children have is empowering, “Tomorrow my daughter could pick any profession she wants in India. That gives me a sense of pride and comfort, as there are no ‘nos’, or dos and don’ts anymore. At least the lines are very blurred.”

Overprotective father or not?

When asked whether he could turn into an overprotective parent, Sidharth gave a thoughtful response. “I think it will depend on the journey that I have with my daughter, or the culture and sense that I inculcate from now onwards till her teenage years or so. When I know that she can gauge what’s right and wrong, I think that’s my victory or my contribution to her life.”He added that trust is key, “If I have utmost confidence in her decision-making, then I am at peace. You can’t be overprotective. You have to let them learn from their own mistakes.”