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Distance makes the heart grow fonder, especially when it comes to fathers and daughters, and actor Adnan Siddiqui is proof of that.

On his daughter's 16th birthday, the superhero dad recorded the most adorable message all the way from Turkey, where he is currently collaborating with Tekdin Films, repping Pakistan for a collective project based on the Khilafat Movement.

Apologising for missing her big day, the Mere Paas Tum Ho star recorded a video message for his firstborn. "I'm sorry I couldn't be there — but 16, wow, you're a young woman now!" he exclaimed, in awe of how time has flown. Writing a letter alongside the video, he shared words of wisdom on the special occasion.

"Dear Maryam jaan," he began. "Sixteen is a big number. Mere two years short of, as you millennials say, adulting. What seemed like light years away is right at your doorstep, replete with responsibilities and novelties.

"It is only a matter of time before you cease to exist as a teenager and transcend into an unknown space where it’d be expected of you to be make wise and right choices, where you may be weighed down by the demands of the world, where reality and how you’ve viewed your life till now will often be blurred, where life would be at times overwhelming, where you’d juggle between success and failure, illusion and realism, obscure and clear."

He then gave his own two cents, prepping his little one for all that life will have to offer her in the upcoming years.

"You’d plan and un-plan. Sometimes life will control and on other times, the reins would be in your hands. You will learn beyond your books, your friendships will extend beyond sleepovers. You will fall in love, and have your heart broken too. Challenges and disappointments will also make occasional appearance," he told her.

However, the Yalghaar star advised his daughter to keep her ground and stand steadfast in the face of hardships, never losing the goodness in her heart.

"In all this rollercoaster, hold onto the compassionate and beautiful soul you have. Be kind to yourself. Don’t be too critical of your failures. Be confident. Be independent. Have your opinions. Speak your mind. Assert yourself. Accept others. And most of all, always be humble and have an unwavering moral compass!" he reminded her.

"Abba will be coming soon and will celebrate with you."