4th June 2023, Mumbai: Having spent approximately two decades in the industry, Shahid Kapoor has emerged as one of Bollywood’s most renowned performers. Shahid, born to esteemed actors Pankaj Kapur and Neelima Azeem, recently opened up about his early struggles in the film business. Contrary to popular belief, the actor who portrays Kabir Singh revealed that his journey hasn’t been smooth, despite the advantages associated with his father’s name.
Shahid expressed his profound dismay at such assumptions, stating, “Such remarks really disturb me.” He recounted how his father, Pankaj Kapur, never made any attempts to pull strings or secure him a job in the industry. Shahid made his cinematic debut in 2003 with the romantic comedy Ishq Vishk, solely based on his own merit. Since then, he has garnered recognition for his notable performances in films like Jab We Met, Vivaah, Badmaash Company, Haider, and Kabir Singh, among others.
In a recent interview with Bollywood Bubble, Shahid asserted, “I am one of those self-made individuals whom people wrongly assume had it easy because of his father’s stature.” He passionately addressed his critics, saying, “You have no idea about the challenges I faced. I didn’t even grow up with my father, Pankaj Kapur, so just because he was Pankaj Kapur doesn’t mean my path was paved. I was raised by my mother.”
Furthermore, Shahid emphasized that his father never made a single phone call on his behalf to secure him a role. “My father was a man of great pride. The thought of saying, ‘Let me call someone and arrange a meeting for you’ would never cross his mind when it came to his son,” he revealed. Shahid explained that his father believed in the value of hard work and assumed that he, too, possessed the same sense of pride, making it unlikely for him to seek any form of assistance. The topic never even came up between them. Shahid attributed his success to two decades of relentless toil and dedication.
Shahid’s upcoming project, Bloody Daddy, directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, is set to release on June 8 at Jio Theatres. The film also features Ronit Roy, Sanjay Kapoor, and Diana Penty, and fans eagerly await its arrival.
-by Kashvi Gala