Three's a party!

Actors Jay Bhanushali and Mahhi Vij embrace the joys of parenthood with the latest addition to their brood. Mahhi talks about being mommy to 11-month-old Tara, her biological child, and foster children Khushi and Rajveer

- KRISELLE FONSECA

Together Mahhi Vij and hubby Jay Bhanushali are a force to reckon with, in the telly world. The couple has starred in various soap operas and reality shows that have made them a household name throughout the country. In 2011, there was news about the duo tying the knot in a hush-hush wedding in Las Vegas, much to everyone’s surprise.

Staying true to character, a few years after, the duo surprised fans when they announced that they would be fostering their caretakers’ children Khushi and Rajveer. The television fraternity and media publications alike praised the couple’s choices. But for Mahhi, this idea of fundamentally adopting their helpers’ children, was one that came naturally. “Khushi, who is now six, and Rajveer, who just turned four, have been with us since they were born. Over time, we’ve built such a good bond with them that they have started addressing Jay and me as ‘papa’ and ‘mummy’. Our decision to foster them was only natural, and the outcome of the love that we continue to feel for them,” she says.

And thus began their parenting journey. From events to casual outings, the happy family of four were spotted out and about town regularly. However, despite taking them under their wings, the couple maintained a certain boundary when bringing the kids up. “Although we are fostering them, there’s only so much of the ‘parenting’ Jay and I can do because they do have their biological parents around too. Even if we want to, we cannot be as fully involved as we’d like to be. That would be unfair to their parents. And that’s exactly what motivated our decision to have Tara,” Mahhi explains.