It took Sandip Soparrkar four years to convince orphanages, and later the court, to grant him permission to adopt a child because he was unmarried. But Soparrkar remained determined. In 2007, the acclaimed dancer and choreographer brought home a little boy, becoming the first single man to adopt a child in India. In 2021, he became the first single father to adopt a second child when he took charge of a nine-year-old with special needs. It is believed Soparrkar inspired his student Madonna to adopt an Indian baby. He spoke to Neha Bhayana about his boys, his parenting rules and adoption
What made you want to adopt?
It was just something I always wanted to do since I was a teenager. There are adoption cases in my family. A few of my cousin sisters have been adopted. My favourite sister is an adopted child. When I was young, I thought I would do it when I am financially and emotionally stronger. I just took that step very naturally without thinking because I love children. I didn’t even know that I would be the first single man to adopt till it came out in the news.
You had to fight a long battle …
There was a four-year-long struggle because there were no rules, or rather there were some rules but they had never been exercised by anybody. The adoption law is strange in so many ways. A woman above 18 can adopt a child, but a man needs to be above 30 to adopt. Moreover, to be considered fit for adoption, a man has to submit proof of his financial standing whereas a woman need not. I can’t say whether this is right or wrong, but I find it unfair because it took me four years to fight for the right to adopt. I had gone to so many orphanages but none even considered me. I was asked why I should get a child when a couple or single woman could take him. I was even questioned about my affairs which is odd because that has nothing to do with my ability to be a good parent. I am grateful to the orphanage Bal Anand for standing by me and giving me my son. I got Arjun home on October 3, 2007. We celebrate this day every year as his homecoming birthday.
When did you first meet Arjun?
I remember one day, suddenly, Madhavi Mhatre from Bal Anand, called me and asked me to come to meet a child. I said ‘Ma’am, I am not ready’. She said, ‘You have been waiting for four years. Of course, you are ready.’ I was so nervous. I was seated when the door opened and a little boy, just over a year old, crawled in and gave me the toy car which was in his hand. That was it. I fell in love. Imagine a child who lived in an orphanage and did not have any toys that belonged to him exclusively, still chose to give me his car. This showed that he wanted to be with me. This was the best moment of my life.
How did you handle diaper duty?
It took Sandip Soparrkar four years to convince orphanages, and later the court, to grant him permission to adopt a child because he was unmarried. But Soparrkar remained determined. In 2007, the acclaimed dancer and choreographer brought home a little boy, becoming the first single man to adopt a child in India. In 2021, he became the first single father to adopt a second child when he took charge of a nine-year-old with special needs. It is believed Soparrkar inspired his student Madonna to adopt an Indian baby. He spoke to Neha Bhayana about his boys, his parenting rules and adoption
What made you want to adopt?