Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor recently opened up in an interview with journalist Faye D’Souza about the challenges he faced during his early years in the industry. Shahid shared candid insights about his upbringing, his mother Neelima Azeem’s struggles as a single parent, and his resolve to carve his own path without seeking financial help from his father, veteran actor Pankaj Kapur.
Living in Rented Houses and Neelima Azeem’s Comeback Struggles
Shahid revealed the difficulties he and his mother faced when he was a teenager. At the time, his mother had just given birth to his younger brother, Ishaan Khatter, and was trying to return to acting. Neelima Azeem, who had Shahid at the age of 21, found it challenging to balance her career and responsibilities as a mother. Shahid reflected,
“She was 35-36 when Ishaan was born, and it isn’t easy having a child at that age. Being a working woman with a 14-year-old son in Mumbai, it was her second marriage… There was a lot happening with her at that time.”
Their financial struggles led them to live in rented houses. Shahid shared that his mother’s career challenges were compounded by the film industry’s tendency to overlook artists after a hiatus.
Choosing Independence Over Financial Support from Father
Despite having a good relationship with his father, Shahid was determined to make his own way in life. He said,
“I didn’t have a relationship with my father where I would allow myself to ask him… He was always there for advice and guidance, but I wanted to do it on my own. I was very proud like that.”
This decision, Shahid explained, stemmed from his belief in self-reliance and a desire to establish his career without external help.
From Struggles to Stardom: Shahid’s Journey in Bollywood
Shahid started his Bollywood journey as a background dancer in Subhash Ghai’s Taal (1999) and made his acting debut as a lead in Ishq Vishk (2003), for which he won the Filmfare Best Male Debut Award. Over the years, Shahid has evolved into one of Bollywood’s most celebrated actors, known for his roles in films like Jab We Met, Haider, and Kabir Singh.
Now a family man, Shahid married Mira Rajput in 2015. The couple has two children, Misha and Zain, born in 2016 and 2018, respectively. Looking ahead, Shahid is set to appear in the upcoming film Deva, continuing to showcase his talent and versatility in the industry.