Vikrant Massey, the Bollywood actor known for his roles in films like "12th Fail," has revealed the reason behind his decision to leave the religion column blank on his son Vardaan’s birth certificate. Massey, who welcomed Vardaan with his wife, Sheetal Thakur, in February 2025, shared his views on faith and the importance of individual choice in a recent podcast conversation with Rhea Chakraborty.

Massey explained that he and his wife decided to leave the religion column blank to allow their son to grow up without being judged or discriminated against based on religious beliefs. He emphasized that the government does not mandate specifying a religion on the birth certificate, making it a personal choice. Upon receiving Vardaan's birth certificate, Massey put a dash in the religion column to signify their decision.

The actor, who comes from a multi-faith family, expressed that he would be "heartbroken" if his son were to treat anyone differently based on their religious practices. Massey's father is Christian, his mother is Sikh, and his brother converted to Islam at the age of 17. Having been exposed to different religions within his own family, Massey believes that religion is a personal choice and a way of life, not a fixed identity.

"I think religion is a personal choice," Massey stated. "For me, it's a way of life. I think everyone has the right to choose their religion". He further added that his house embraces multiple faiths, and he himself finds peace in visiting temples, gurdwaras, and dargahs. Massey sees religion as a man-made concept and wants his son to have the freedom to choose his own spiritual path.

Massey also shared that he has a strong sense of faith and is grateful for the blessings and safety he receives. He acknowledged that he faced intense questioning on social media in the past when he spoke about his beliefs, but remains steadfast in his conviction to raise his son with empathy and equality.

By leaving the religion column blank, Massey and Thakur hope to instill in Vardaan a value system that prioritizes inclusivity and understanding over religious biases. Massey's decision reflects his belief that individuals should have the liberty to choose their own religion and that no one should be discriminated against based on their faith.