Angad Bedi remembers that his father Bishan Singh Bedi did not speak to him for 15 years after he cut his hair.
Bishan Singh Bedi was deeply upset by his son Angad Bedi’s decision to cut his hair, which led to a silence between the two that lasted over a decade.
Angad Bedi’s career took a significant turn with his breakthrough role in the critically acclaimed film ‘Pink’, which not only catapulted him into the limelight but also brought about a personal transformation. Looking back on his journey, Angad shared a poignant memory of his late father, legendary cricketer Bishan Singh Bedi, who was deeply affected by Angad’s decision to cut his hair in his late teens. This decision, though purely professional in nature, led to a rift between father and son that lasted for years.
In a recent episode of Cyrus Broacha’s talk show “Cyrus Says,” Angad spoke about the emotional impact of his decision. He revealed that his father, who is rooted in their Sikh lineage and a direct descendant of Guru Nanak, was “hurt” by the decision, a feeling that ran deeper than mere anger. “He was hurt, not angry. Hurt is a deeper feeling than anger. I am a Bedi, a direct descendant of Guru Nanak. Many people have advised me to grow my hair back. Maybe one day I will,” Angad explained, adding that they did not speak for nearly two decades after he made the change.
The young actor’s decision was due to pressure from the industry, as he was told that his long hair would not suit the roles he was aiming for in Bollywood. Despite the personal cost, Angad was fully committed to his career, a decision that eventually paid off with his role in Pink. The film not only garnered critical acclaim, but also marked a turning point in his relationship with his father.
“Kya karta main? I thought if I have to go full throttle, then I’ll do what is necessary. Well, my father was upset for 20 years until Pink came out. After the film, he said to me, ‘Boy, now you’re justifying your haircut to me,'” he added.
Bishan Singh Bedi, who passed away on October 23 last year after a long illness, left his son with a piece of advice that still resonates today. Recalling the moment after the film’s release, Angad says, “He hugged me after Pink. I remember I had cut my hair when I was 18 or 19 and Pink came when I was 33. So he didn’t talk until then. He was really hurt and then he hugged me and said, ‘You have chosen your path and you will do well. So go ahead. But choose your films wisely after that.'”
Angad Bedi, who has also appeared in films like ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’, ‘Dear Zindagi’ and ‘Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl’, had a busy 2023 with notable projects like ‘Hi Nanna’, ‘Ghoomer’ and ‘Lust Stories 2’.
