When Shahid Kapoor, Pankaj Kapur were mobbed by Detective Karamchand fans in the late 1980s in Delhi: “We were surrounded by a hundred people, who picked up gajar, and charged at us like zombies, going, ‘Hehehe…. Gajar khaiye, gajar, hehehe…’”

By Fenil Seta -

July 8, 2023 - 9:32 AM IST

Shahid Kapoor recently completed 20 years in the industry and is showing no signs of slowing down. This year was also significant as his debut web series, Farzi, was released and got massive acclaim. This was followed by his action entertainer, Bloody Daddy, which also had a direct digital release. During an interaction with Mid-Day, Shahid talked about notable moments in his journey and also about how he got into this industry.

When Shahid Kapoor, Pankaj Kapur were mobbed by Detective Karamchand fans in the late 1980s in Delhi: “We were surrounded by a hundred people, who picked up gajar, and charged at us like zombies, going, ‘Hehehe…. Gajar khaiye, gajar, hehehe…’”

At the very onset, Shahid Kapoor spoke about his childhood and growing up in Delhi with his mother Neelima Azeem after she separated from Pankaj Kapur. He revealed that once in a while, his father would come to the National Capital and take him out.

Shahid Kapoor then narrated a funny anecdote. He said that when he was 6 or 7 years old when Pankaj treated him at Delhi’s popular restaurant, Nirula’s. Suddenly, Pankaj Kapur was mobbed by around a hundred people. Shahid revealed, “We were suddenly surrounded by a hundred people, who picked up gajar, and were charging at us on our restaurant table—almost like zombies, going, ‘Hehehe…. Gajar khaiye, gajar, hehehe…’.”

Pankaj Kapur declined and retorted, “Par mein bete ke saath pizza kha raha hoon.” However, they kept insisting that he have the carrot, just like his iconic character in the TV show ‘Karamchand’ that used to air in the 1980s on Doordarshan.

With no other option, both Shahid Kapoor and Pankaj Kapur had to rush out of Nirula’s. The young actor then told his father not to take him out again. He added, “By virtue of distance, the interaction between him and me was anyway limited.”

However, as he grew up and entered the same profession as Pankaj, both got closer. Shahid Kapoor also confessed that it was his father who suggested the title Jab We Met for his 2007 classic love story. Shahid also acted in the lead in Pankaj Kapur’s directorial, Mausam (2011).

Also Read: Shahid Kapoor and Mira Rajput celebrate 8th wedding anniversary with heartwarming social media posts; see pictures