Ishaan Khatter and his mom Neliima Azeem in a candid chat

On Mother’s Day, Ishaan Khatter and his mother,

Neliima Azeem

, reflect on their bond, the role of dance in their lives and being each other’s emotional anchors. Excerpts:Ishaan, could you tell us about the bond you share with your mother and how it has evolved over the years?Ishaan: My mother has always been the voice and the guiding light, and the constant presence that gently, and sometimes firmly, nudges me in the right direction.

Beyond being my mother, she’s my best friend — someone I can laugh with, lean on, and learn from every day. She never tried to impose her way of life on me, yet she instilled in me my deepest values. She’s shown me that character matters above material things by example and also normalised being vulnerable and real with me. My mother has loved me beyond measure, and through it all.

What do Mother’s Day celebrations look like at your home?Neliima: Mother’s Day has always been filled with love. My children never forget to make me feel special on this day. Whether we’re near or far, they find ways to express their love – through calls, thoughtful messages, or gifts. When we’re together, it’s even more special. We gather as a family, sometimes at Shahid’s house, sharing warmth, laughter, and delicious meals with Mira and the kids. Two of us — Mira and I – are mothers now, and I hope this year we celebrate the day surrounded by love and togetherness.Ishaan: To me, every day should be Mother’s Day, but having a day that reminds the world to pause and appreciate their mothers is beautiful. I just try to do something, big or small, that brings a smile to her face. That’s all that matters.Both of you are trained dancers. How has dance helped shape the bond that you share?Ishaan: I always say this — mom was the first dancer in our family aur hamara saara naach unki chhotti ungli main hai. Music and rhythm are in my DNA because of her. For us, dance isn’t just performance — it’s another way of speaking to each other, of expressing joy, love, and connection.Neliima: Dance has always been a medium of self-expression. Sometimes, we spontaneously break into dance together, or simply enjoy watching each other in that element. It’s a bond that has grown deeper over the years. Seeing my sons, Ishaan and Shahid, embrace dance with such grace fills my heart. It’s more than an art form — it’s a thread that ties us all together in joy, pride, and shared spirit.Ishaan, in an industry like showbiz, which can be overwhelming, do you turn to your mother during tough times?Ishaan: Yes, always. My mom has this unique ability to bring me back to myself. She holds up the mirror when I need it most and reminds me of who I am and what I stand for. In moments of success, I want to share my joy with her, because she’s been my foundation. In low moments, she’s my grounding force.Neliima, what are your expectations from Ishaan as a son? And Ishaan, do you feel you are a doting son?Neliima: I hope we never drift apart and that our bond only grows stronger with time. I want us to always make time for each other and remain friends. We are not just a mother-son duo, but we are best friends.Ishaan: I am a doting son, but we’ve also had phases where we’ve had a tough time communicating with each other, and we’ve always come out stronger because we care to get over it and make the other person feel understood and that makes me happier than having a “perfect” relationship. As for what it feels like, it’s a blessing and I’m grateful.Neliima, how different or similar are your sons Shahid and Ishaan?Neliima: They both have very strong and individual characteristics. Ishaan hates lies and Shahid hates bad behaviour. Shahid is extremely organised and tidy. He is independent about his own work. He is a perfectionist, while Ishaan is breezier. Shahid is a stickler for punctuality and Ishaan is extremely punctual when it comes to work and highly unpunctual when it comes to his personal life (laughs).