Veteran actor Pankaj Kapoor recently spoke about his son Shahid Kapoor and how the actor built his career independently despite coming from a film family. Addressing the ongoing conversation around nepotism in the film industry, Kapoor emphasized that Shahid earned his place through his own hard work rather than relying on his father’s reputation.
During a recent interaction with Times Now, Pankaj Kapoor explained that he has always encouraged his children to pursue their ambitions independently and face both success and failure on their own terms. “They go and audition on their own, and when they get selected, it makes them feel good about it. It's not because of their father's name or their brother's (Shahid Kapoor) name. So was true about Shahid. He also stood on his own feet and made it completely on his own, wherever he is today. Yes, there was this thing that this man is always there, but in case required,” Kapur said.
The veteran actor further added that experiencing both victories and setbacks is an important part of personal growth. According to him, learning from mistakes plays a key role in shaping an individual’s confidence and character. "If you win, you will get the confidence of a winner and if you lose, you would know that you made a mistake. And I have given that to all my children. When I see any of my children working and standing on their own feet, and since these days there's a fashion of audience, they don't tell that they are my children."
The debate around nepotism in Bollywood has intensified over the years, with audiences frequently discussing the advantages enjoyed by star kids. However, Shahid Kapoor has often maintained that his journey in the industry was not handed to him easily.
The actor has previously spoken about starting from scratch and going through the same struggles faced by many aspiring performers. Shahid has also pointed out that he did not grow up living with his father, as Pankaj Kapur and actor Neelima Azeem—Shahid’s mother—were separated. As a result, he believes that his early years in the industry were shaped more by persistence than privilege.
Over the course of his career, Shahid has also acknowledged facing multiple setbacks before establishing himself as a leading actor in Hindi cinema. Interestingly, some observers have often linked elements of his early struggles to the storyline of the 2010 film Chance Pe Dance, which revolves around a talented but struggling actor trying to make his mark in the entertainment industry.
While not officially autobiographical, the film’s premise resonated with many fans who felt it mirrored aspects of Shahid’s real-life journey as an aspiring performer navigating the challenges of Bollywood.
Also Read: Shahid Kapoor begins shooting for Farzi Season 2; drops BTS glimpse as Sunny returns
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