Actor Shahid Kapoor, despite being the son of industry veterans Pankaj Kapoor and Neelima Azeem, has declared his status as an outsider in Bollywood. In a recent interview, he discussed the hurdles he encountered due to biases in the film industry and expressed his determination to challenge the prevailing discriminatory practices.
Shahid Kapoor acknowledged that, unlike some star kids and established directors, he couldn’t rely on familial influence to kickstart his career. He voiced concern over the decreasing opportunities for outsiders, attributing it to a decline in the quality of Hindi movies.
Recalling his own experiences as an outsider during his school days in Mumbai and in the film industry, Shahid highlighted the challenges outsiders face in gaining acceptance. He expressed his disapproval of the “campy thing” in Bollywood, emphasizing that creative collaboration should not translate into excluding or belittling others.
“I don’t like this campy thing. I think people who want to creatively collaborate with each other should, people who are comfortable with each other should. But that doesn’t mean you diss other people and try to put other people down or close the doors to other people,” Shahid stated. He asserted that, unlike his younger self, he now possesses the confidence to stand up against bullying, declaring, “If you try to bully me, I will bully you right back. I will bully the bully because they deserve it.”
Shahid Kapoor’s recent release, “Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya,” alongside Kriti Sanon, has been a box office success, grossing ₹150 crore. His upcoming project is titled “Deva.” The actor, in this candid interview, addressed the biases in Bollywood and showcased his commitment to challenging the status quo.
