In a candid conversation, veteran actor and mother Neelima Azeem has drawn a fascinating comparison between her two sons, Bollywood stars Shahid Kapoor and Ishaan Khatter. She described their distinct personalities and journeys, offering a rare glimpse into their family dynamics.
Contrasting Personalities: The Family Man vs The Lone Explorer
Neelima Azeem, in a chat with Vickey Lalwani, highlighted the fundamental differences between her children. She described Shahid Kapoor as "very soft and sensitive" at his core, though he now possesses a tough exterior as a grown man. She believes the dreamy, sensitive boy he was will always remain a part of him.
In contrast, she sees her younger son, Ishaan Khatter, as more exploratory and adventurous with a deeply curious mind. "He's also soft, but I think definitely stronger in some ways," she noted. While Shahid is seen as a self-made, tough individual who carved his own path, Ishaan's strength manifests in his independence.
Different Needs, Same Love for Family
Elaborating on their lifestyles, Neelima pointed out that Shahid is a quintessential family man who thrives when surrounded by his close ones. "He has always yearned for his family. I would say even more than friends," she revealed.
Ishaan, while being a very affectionate family person, is more of a loner in his daily pursuits. "His journey is pretty much on his own. He likes to fly alone. He travels alone. He does everything alone," she said, adding that he often spends time with his friends and brother.
A Mother's Support During 'Ishq Vishk'
Neelima Azeem also shared heartwarming memories from Shahid Kapoor's early days in Bollywood. She recalled being a constant presence on the sets of his debut film, 'Ishq Vishk' in 2003.
"Every day. I used to shoot, and I would run to his set. If I was shooting at night, I would adjust. And my producers got quite tired of it till 'Ishq Vishk' got over," she reminisced.
She clarified that her presence was not due to overprotectiveness but stemmed from a shared artistic bond. It was about Shahid wanting her to be part of his first leading role experience, and they would discuss everything related to the film. However, after his debut, she stopped accompanying him as he had become experienced and independent.
Reflections on Personal Journey
During the conversation, Neelima also briefly touched upon her separation from Shahid's father, actor Pankaj Kapur, when Shahid was just three years old. She stated that while she doesn't overanalyze it now, she believes they were very different people, and sometimes the vibrations in a relationship don't match.
The year 2025 has been significant for Ishaan Khatter, with his film 'Homebound' being shortlisted for the Oscars, marking a high point in his unique career path, which has seen both successes and setbacks.
Through her revelations, Neelima Azeem paints a picture of two successful sons, each with a starkly different approach to life and career, yet bound by the same familial love and artistic heritage.
