Shahid Kapoor, who is known for his versatile performances, recently opened up about his struggles in Bollywood and how people around him made him feel victimised. Despite being the son of veteran actor Pankaj Kapoor and Kathak dancer Neliima Azeem, Shahid revealed he had to fight hard to carve his own niche in the industry.
In a conversation on the Raj Shamani Podcast, Shahid shared insights into his journey, recalling how he lived in rented houses and gave countless auditions to land opportunities. “My father is a character actor, and my mom has been a Kathak dancer since she was 15 years old. I have lived in rented houses. I have given many auditions, so I don’t have that sense of privilege,” he said.
Discussing the varying definitions of struggle in Bollywood, Shahid, who made his debut in 2003 with Ishq Vishk, remarked, “Some people struggle in a BMW, they start their journey by working with the top two-three directors in the country. I came after giving 250 auditions.”
Shahid, who is often lauded for his impeccable fashion sense, reflected on a time when he couldn’t afford clothes. “Today, people say that Shahid’s fashion sense is so good, and sometimes, I laugh at things like this because I remember at one point, I didn’t have enough money to buy clothes in Lokhandwala market,” he shared.
The Kabir Singh star also opened up about his emotional battles, admitting he went through a prolonged phase of self-doubt. “I went through a very long phase of feeling victimised by my circumstances,” he said.
Directed by acclaimed Malayalam filmmaker Rosshan Andrrews and produced by Zee Studios and Roy Kapur Films, Deva is set to release on January 31. Shahid plays the title role of Dev Ambre, a no-nonsense cop in this electrifying action thriller.
