Zahan Kapoor recalls fond memories with grandfather Shashi Kapoor: 'Dadaji kept a distance from the industry'

Zahan Kapoor, the grandson of the legendary Shashi Kapoor and cousin to Ranbir Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor, made his Bollywood debut with Hansal Mehta's 'Faraaz' in 2022. His breakthrough role came with Vikramaditya Motwane's 'Black Warrant', which marked his fifth project. In a recent interview, Zahan shared insights into his close relationship with his grandfather, Shashi Kapoor, noting that he kept a distance from the film industry during his time.
Cherished Memories with Shashi Kapoor
During an interview with NDTV, Zahan recalled his fond memories with his grandfather, Shashi Kapoor. He shared that they frequently had friendly disagreements over TV choices—Shashi enjoyed cricket, while Zahan preferred cartoons. Zahan also noted that during this time, his grandfather had stepped back from the film industry.
Family Background and Career Aspirations
The actor highlighted that his father worked in advertising, while his mother, Sheena Sippy—daughter of renowned filmmaker Ramesh Sippy—was a photographer. This meant that Zahan grew up in a family that was more inclined toward the arts than the film industry. When questioned about whether he always aspired to act given his family ties, Zahan dispelled the notion that their home was often visited by film personalities. He explained that his grandfather had retired from the film industry by the time he was born.
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Career Path and Values
Zahan never felt pressured to join the film industry. At home, discussions were more about culture and society than old movies. Despite his surname offering easy access, he emphasized the need for hard work. "For my surname, I would probably get easy access to the industry. But my parents always taught me that it's a tough profession and I have to work hard," he added.
Current Projects and Background in Theatre
On the work front, Zahan stars as jailer Sunil Gupta in Netflix's 'Black Warrant', inspired by the 2019 book Black Warrant: Confessions of a Tihar Jailer by Sunil Gupta and Sunetra Choudhury. His portrayal has been praised for its authenticity. Before films, Zahan honed his craft in theatre, earning recognition for plays like Siachen and Pitaji Please.

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