By Hindustan Times

New Delhi, June 20 -- Veteran actor Dharmendra says he is "rustic and protective" when it comes to his daughters. He may have been called Garam Dharam at one time, but it's a discreet, soft side of him that comes to the fore the moment you mention his darling daughters, Esha and Ahana.

"We're from a village where people are very protective about their daughters. I still haven't been able to get that rustic Jat out of me. Though they're completely on their own now, I still keep fretting. They make it a point to inform me if they're out late, but I don't stop worrying," says Dharmendra adding that he's very proud of both of them. "Esha's an athlete, but she surprises me as a graceful dancer and actress. Ahana is into yoga and has her own organic farm."

Together, the Deols paint a happy family picture. "We're a loving family. Just that we don't advertise our love. Bobby and Sunny (his actor sons from a previous marriage) get rakhi tied from Esha and Ahana. It's like any other Indian family," he says adding, "I want to see my daughters settled. We are looking for good boys. Not necessarily Punjabi. My sons and I often discuss suitable boys for the girls. Let's see."

'Working with dad was a gift from God," says Esha Deol on Father's Day He has played father to sons Sunny and Bobby on the big screen, and now, nine years after daughter Esha Deol made her Bollywood debut, yesteryear superstar Dharmendra will be seen in the role of her father in the upcoming film, Tell Me O Khuda.

On Father's Day, HT City caught up with the father-daughter duo, to talk about the experience. "Working with dad was the best gift God could have ever given me. It was a lovely experience. We were professional in front of the camera, but got emotional while doing some scenes," says Esha.

Talking about her relationship with Dharmendra, she says, "He is very protective, possessive and emotional. But he has slowly adapted with time, and trusts me with decisions." Though she confesses she was terrified of him as child, they are much closer today. "Now that I'm grown up, we share a lot more. In fact, he is the reason I am single. He is so good looking and warm hearted, that it is impossible to find anyone like him," she says.

Despite their busy schedules the family finds time to be together. "We love to chat, go to our farmhouse and sit on a tractor or go hiking." Of all the sweet things he has done for her, Esha's favourite story is that of the day she was born. "The whole hospital had been booked, and I was the only kid born in that hospital," she says.