Nothing has a stronger influence on their children than the lives of their parents. And Shahid Kapoor doesn’t want any of it affecting the growth of his one-year-old daughter Misha who by now is already as popular as the actor himself thanks to the paparazzi.
The Padmaavat actor was left furious like any father would and has clearly said that he hates the unwanted attention on his daughter. “She didn’t choose this glamorous life. What’s her fault?” he told mid-day. He added saying “I hate to think of the entire glare that’s on her. That is probably the only time I feel I should have had another job. I don’t want her to deal with it. It’s not good for children to go through this. They have a right to a normal childhood.”
Shahid also said that he had a normal life despite being the son of actors Pankaj Kapur and Neelima Azeem. “No one knew I was Pankaj Kapur’s son till I joined the industry. It was only after an IMDB page about me was made that people discovered who my father is. My mother was a struggling actor, who separated from my dad when I was growing up. I got to know my father only after turning 18. So, I had a regular middle-class childhood, devoid of attention”
The media and attention does change with time and the world evolving and revolving around social life makes it a lot harder on Misha. “She has to deal with it because I am her dad. It’s tough for me, as a parent, to make peace with that. I hope she will learn how to tackle it when she grows up. Misha is the only one who soothes me in a world filled with harsh critics. I am responsible for a woman who has left her life in Delhi to be with me. I am responsible for my daughter and must be an example for her. I have to be a good human being first, a good actor later. I’ve realized that this drastic shift is helping me grow as both,” he added.
Shahid’s wife Mira Rajput recently requested the paparazzi to let her toddler be. She had written on her Insta story, “Guys please be kind. Let kids enjoy their childhood and leave the photographing to the parents.” To this, Shahid told Bollywoodlife, “She was at a park and so many pictures happened, so I think her point was very valid. She just said that this is a place where kids should be able to be kids. I think that was a very fair point and she said it politely and nicely. It was like point to be noted my Lord types. She would not get aggressive. She has a right to express her feelings as a mother just like any other mother.”
Several Bollywood celebrities such as Rani Mukerji and Kajol have also spoken against the paparazzi clicking pictures of their children. “You don’t want them to have extra privileges or importance. You want them to grow up as normal people,” Rani Mukerji told PTI.