As Ishaan Khatter enjoys a career high with his only theatrical release Homebound being shortlisted for the Oscars, his mother, actor Neelima Azeem, has opened up about how different his journey has been from that of his elder brother, Shahid Kapoor.In a recent interview with Vickey Lalwani, Neelima reflected on the contrasting personalities of her two sons. “I think Shahid is very soft and sensitive. But he’s a man now, so he has a tough exterior. Still, he will always be that soft, sensitive, dreamy boy,” she said.She added, “Shahid is somebody who has paved his own way. Despite his soft heart, he’s a tough chap.”
‘Ishaan is very exploratory and adventurous’
Speaking about Ishaan, Neelima highlighted his independent streak and curiosity. “Ishaan, I think, is very exploratory, adventurous, and has a very curious mind. He’s also soft, but I think definitely stronger in some ways,” she said.“Ishaan is very independent. He loves to share, he’s very loving, and he’s a very loving son. But his journey is pretty much on his own. He likes to fly alone. He travels alone. He does everything alone.”
‘Shahid has always yearned for family’
Drawing a clear distinction between the brothers, Neelima explained how their emotional worlds differ. “Shahid, I think, is a family man. He loves to be surrounded by his own people,” she said, adding that while Ishaan is also deeply affectionate towards family, his social world is broader.“I think the basic difference is that Shahid has always yearned for his family — even more than friends. Ishaan hangs out a lot with his friends, and his brother, and of course, with me.”
‘I used to run to the sets of Ishq Vishk’
Neelima also revisited Shahid Kapoor’s early days in Bollywood, recalling how closely involved she was during his debut film. “Every day. I used to shoot, and I would run to his set,” she said, adding that her producers often had to adjust their schedules. “They got quite tired of it till Ishq Vishk got over.”Clarifying that it wasn’t about being overprotective, she explained, “I think it was more of an artistic bond. It was about him sharing his first-ever experience in a film, in the lead, and wanting me to be there. And then we would also discuss everything.”Neelima revealed that she stopped accompanying Shahid after his first film. “He was manjha hua by then,” she said, meaning he had grown experienced. “He went on his own on the second film set. His career had taken off. He was independent, strong, and already curious about the job. He has always been that sort of actor.”
‘Nobody gets married to separate’
In the same conversation, Neelima opened up about her separation from Shahid’s father, actor Pankaj Kapur, reflecting on the emotional realities behind it. “I separated from Pankaj Kapur when Shahid was three, when I was a very young girl,” she said. “Nobody gets married to separate; they get married to stay together forever. Maybe we were very different people. Marriage is not about what anybody did or what happened — it’s about where you are in your mind, which phase you are in. If the vibration doesn’t have the same frequency, it doesn’t sit well.” Go to Source
