Snehashish roy
Veteran actor Pankaj Kapur has publicly come to the defense of his son Shahid Kapoor’s controversial, yet massively successful, 2019 film Kabir Singh. Kapur asserts that the movie simply portrayed a harsh reality already present in society and was not an act of glorifying toxic masculinity.
In a recent interview with Lallantop, the seasoned actor addressed the heavy criticism the film faced upon its release. “He has done good work in Kabir Singh as well. That’s okay, because toxic masculinity exists in society,” Kapur stated. “Just because a film portrays it doesn’t mean it’s glorifying it. This is more about our own perspective.”
He argued that cinema’s role is to reflect the world as it is, not as people wish it to be. “Films show the world as it is, not as we wish it to be. Kabir Singh depicted a flawed man, which is what makes the story compelling,” he said, suggesting that such complex storytelling is what sparks important conversations about human nature.
Beyond defending his son’s film choice, Pankaj Kapur spoke highly of Shahid Kapoor’s significant growth as an actor. He revealed that for a long time, he felt Shahid’s true strength—drama—was being overlooked, as he was primarily cast in “sweet boy roles.”
Kapur credits filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj with unlocking that potential in 2014 with Haider. “Those films played a big part in shaping the actor Shahid would become,” he noted, also highlighting stellar work in the series Farzi. Kapur proudly mentioned that Shahid, now a discerning actor, has become much more selective about his projects.
Surprisingly, Kapur disclosed that he provided little formal acting training to Shahid.
View this post on Instagram
Family Dynamics and Upcoming Work
The veteran actor also spoke fondly of his other children: Sanah Kapur, who has appeared in several films, and Ruhaan Kapoor, who is yet to make his debut.
He described his family life as completely democratic, where his children are encouraged to make their own decisions. He emphasised that there is no hierarchy in their home and playfully added that sometimes, his children even end up teaching him lessons.
Pankaj Kapur was most recently seen in the 2024 film Binny and Family. His upcoming project is the romantic comedy Jab Khuli Kitaab, where he stars opposite Dimple Kapadia. The film, directed by Saurabh Shukla, is currently awaiting a release date.
