Did you know Shahid Kapoor was rejected 100 times before his debut in ‘Ishq Vishk’? 6 lesser-known facts about ‘O Romeo’ actor

Today, many people admire Shahid Kapoor for his amazing roles in films such as 'Haider,' 'Kabir Singh' and 'Udta Punjab,' but what some people might not know is that getting to this point was not a walk in the park. Before he was recognised as a leading man, Shahid went through many auditions, endured many rejections, and even danced on stage to accompany famous Bollywood producers. Here are six things you probably didn't know about him.

Before making his debut, Shahid was part of choreographer Shiamak Davar’s dance troupe. During that phase, he appeared as a background performer in films like ‘Taal’ and ‘Dil Toh Pagal Hai’. In one memorable moment from ‘Taal’, he can be spotted in a scene featuring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Few would have imagined then that the young dancer in the frame would eventually become a leading Bollywood star himself.

For his film ‘Mausam’, Shahid pushed boundaries by undergoing rigorous training to fly an actual fighter aircraft. According to Hindustan Times, Shahid trained for over a month before piloting the American F-16 Super Viper, making him the first Indian actor to do so. Although ‘Mausam’ did not set the box office on fire, this achievement remains a standout moment in his career. It showcased his commitment to authenticity and preparation for demanding roles.

Many fans are unaware that Shahid Kapoor has a link to veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah. Shahid’s stepmother, Supriya Pathak, is the sister of Ratna Pathak Shah, who is married to Naseeruddin Shah. This makes Shahid the veteran actor’s step-nephew. It’s an interesting example of how interconnected the film fraternity can be.

Shahid has been a vegetarian for years and later adopted a vegan lifestyle. While his father Pankaj Kapur encouraged him to avoid meat, the real turning point reportedly came after reading the book Life Is Fair by Brian Hines. The philosophy in the book deeply influenced him and prompted him to give up non-vegetarian food altogether. His disciplined lifestyle has often been credited for his fitness and on-screen agility in films like ‘Kaminey’ and ‘Udta Punjab’.

Success didn’t come easy for Shahid. Before landing his debut role in ‘Ishq Vishk’, he faced nearly 100 rejections. In an interview with Hindustan Times, Shahid revealed, “Everyone thinks that he is Pankaj Kapur’s son, so isko toh break mil gaya hoga (He must have got a break). But I have been rejected from 100 auditions. Sometimes, I didn’t have money to eat food or to even go to the auditions. I have lived that life, and I don’t like talking about it. But that is my reality.” There were periods when he struggled financially and had difficulty managing daily expenses while attending auditions. His eventual breakthrough serves as a reminder of the persistence behind his glamorous career.

Though widely known as Shahid Kapoor, the actor uses the surname Khattar on his passport. The name comes from Rajesh Khattar, his mother Neelima Azeem’s former husband and the father of actor Ishaan Khattar. Producer Ramesh Taurani once opened up about Shahid’s early days and revealed that he wasn’t aware of the actor’s lineage at first. “I had no clue Shahid was Pankaj Kapur’s son. His name was earlier Shahid Khatter and not Kapoor. In the film, he changed it to Kapoor,” Taurani told News18. While Shahid chose to retain Kapoor professionally, this lesser-known detail often surprises fans.