MUMBAI: Most people around the world would remember 2020 as a year that brought their lives to a standstill, which is not the case for singer Manoj Tiwari. The year marked not one but two beautiful beginnings in the (also) actor-politician’s life. 

Manoj got married for the second time in April 2020 to Surabhi and welcomed his second-born - a daughter - on 30th December in that same year.

Manoj said that he is delighted to embrace fatherhood yet again, after almost 20 years. 

What has added to his happiness is the fact that the newborn has been named by Rhiti, his daughter from his first marriage. 

Manoj expressed, “It felt great to have my elder daughter name the younger one. Rhiti had already told us that she would name her sister Saanvika and we respected her decision. It is one of the many names of Goddess Lakshmi. Incidentally, Rhiti is another name of Goddess Durga. So now, I have two goddesses in my life.”.

While he regrets not being around during Rhiti’s birth, he ensured his presence this time around. “When Rhiti was born in 2001, I didn’t realise the importance of being a dad. Tab hum khud hi hosh sambhaal rahe the, duniya ko samajhne ki koshish kar rahe the aur kitaabi gyaan se baahar nikal rahe the. I saw Rhiti three days after her birth as I was away shooting. Of course, I regret not being there, main agyaanta mein tha. All I thought was, ‘Kaam nahi miss hona chahiye’. However, this time around, I was with my wife (Surabhi) during her delivery. The best part is that Rhiti was also with me.”.

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Interestingly, it was Rhiti who played the matchmaker for her dad. “I have known Surabhi since 2015 as she was Rhiti’s caretaker. My daughter is the reason I got married again, she convinced me to take that leap of faith. My ex-wife (Rani) and her family blessed us, too.”, said Manoj, adding that he remains close to Rani. 

“I am still emotionally attached to Rani and her family. There is no animosity because we parted ways amicably. She demanded separation and our divorce came through in 2010. I tried to save the marriage, but it was not meant to be. I am happy that there is no toxicity in our equation. We have taken care of Rhiti together. She is a good mother, and we will always be family.”, he signed off.

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Credit: Bombay Times