Shahid Kapoor on growing up without his father Pankaj Kapoor; says, “I always felt very protective and loving towards my mom” : Bollywood News

Shahid Kapoor began his career at a young age, initially working as a background dancer in films. Raised by a single parent, he aimed to support his mother, Neelima Azeem, by managing his own expenses. Neelima became a mother at 22, and three years after Shahid’s birth, she and Pankaj Kapur parted ways. In a recent chat with Raj Shamani, Shahid shared his experiences of growing up without his father and his deep sense of protectiveness towards his mother.

Shahid Kapoor on growing up without his father Pankaj Kapoor; says, “I always felt very protective and loving towards my mom”

Shahid Kapoor stated, “My mom was quite young when she had me. We were more like friends. My mom always took me wherever she went. And the fact that I was her first and elder son, somewhere I used to feel very responsible. In my case, I didn’t grow up around my father. So in such siuations, you don’t see your age but feel like, ‘I am the man of the house.’”

He further added, “Of course, at that time, I didn’t have too much to offer, but I had the courage to stand up for my mother. I always felt very protective and loving towards my mom. Our bond was different. She always treated me like a friend, and I think that was the best thing between us. We continue to share the same bond.”

Shahid Kapoor also shared that he began working at a young age not only to support his mother financially but also wanted to make his own identity, following in his parents' footsteps. He explained, “I think because both my parents were super achievers, I just wanted to prove myself and wanted to do something substantial in life. I didn’t want to waste my life.”

He added, “I think it also came from the fact that my mom was a single parent and I didn’t want to burden her with my expenses so the only thing that ran in my head was that ‘I need to start making money’. I wanted to support my mom from the age of 14-16. She was single-handedly taking care of everything. I want to be able to participate and contribute and if not more, I at least need to take care of my own expenses. So it all started there.”

Despite being Pankaj Kapur's son, Shahid Kapoor had to go through 250 auditions and live in rented houses before making his Bollywood debut with Ishq Vishk in 2003. Meanwhile, he plays a cop in his upcoming film Deva, which also stars Pooja Hegde, Pavail Gulati, Pravessh Rana, and Kubbra Sait. Directed by Rosshan Andrrews, the film is produced by Siddharth Roy Kapur and Umesh KR Bansal.

Also Read : Shahid Kapoor writes an emotional note on the eve of Deva release: “Till today he was mine. From tomorrow he is yours”