Ishaan Khatter says he never tried to shine in brother Shahid Kapoor's light, calls him a tough act to follow: ‘His parents were actors, but he's a movie star'

Indian Express

26-05-2025

Ishaan Khatter was widely known as Shahid Kapoor's brother, before he made his debut with Majid Majidi's 2017 film Beyond the Clouds. Since then, Ishaan has proved his worth with projects like Dhadak, A Suitable Boy, Pippa, The Perfect Couple, and most recently, Homebound, which premiered at the 78th Cannes Film Festival last week.
'When my brother got married is the first time that there was media and paparazzi. That thing had started to get blown up, along with social media. I was clicked, and after that, I was spotted and recognized at a few places. At least in my case, it wasn't by design. But obviously, you're known as someone's brother,' said Ishaan.
In the interview with Zoom, Ishaan pointed out how the situation was different in his and Shahid's case. 'His parents were working actors and professionals, but none of them were movie stars, right? I had an elder brother whose act to follow would be… like he's a movie star! But I never tried to shine in his light because everyone wants to be known for their own personality, right?'
'I'm proud I'm his brother. If people click and know me because I'm his brother, that's obvious because I haven't done anything they know me by. So my focus was to just work. I anyway have to tread my own path and make my own life. I'm totally fine with it being slow and steady. I'm in no rush to show people this is who I am. I'd much rather show it with my work,' added Ishaan.
Ishaan recalled how despite working with Shahid as a child actor in Mahesh Manjrekar's 2005 fantasy comedy Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi! and working as an assistant director on Shahid's 2016 film Udta Punjab, his brother didn't know whether Ishaan was a good actor or not. The first time Shahid realised that was when he watched Beyond the Clouds.
At a special screening, Shahid insisted he wants to sit separately, instead of with Ishaan, while watching the film. 'When the film finished, I turned around, and his body language was like this (relaxed). And then I went and sat next to him, he just put his arm around me and said, 'Wow yaar, tu toh actor hai! Ab mujhe jhooth nahi bolna padega! (You're an actor! Now, I won't have to lie that you are one).' It's my favourite memory,' said Ishaan.
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Both Shahid and Ishaan are the sons of veteran actor and classical dancer Neelima Azim. While she was first married to Pankaj Kapur and gave birth to Shahid then, she later divorced and married Rajesh Khattar, after which she had Ishaan. Neelima and Rajesh also went separate way subsequently, when Ishaan was quite young.