Shahid Kapoor may be one of Bollywood’s biggest stars today, but the actor has often spoken about the difficult years that preceded his success. In a previous interview, Shahid looked back on the challenges he faced while trying to establish himself in the film industry. The actor discussed his upbringing and explained why he never considered himself privileged despite belonging to a film family. Shahid said his journey involved years of persistence, auditions and hard work before he got his breakthrough.
‘Cocktail 2’ actor says he never felt privileged
During an appearance on Raj Shamani’s podcast in 2025, Shahid spoke about his family’s background and the circumstances in which he grew up. Sharing details about his early life, he said, “My father is a character actor, and my mom has been a Kathak dancer since she was 15 years old. I have lived in rented houses. I have given many auditions, so I don’t have that sense of privilege.” The actor explained that his experiences shaped his outlook towards success and helped him understand the value of perseverance.Shahid mentioned his career did not begin with easy opportunities. Instead, it was built through continuous effort over several years. The conversation also touched upon the meaning of struggle within the entertainment industry. Shahid pointed out that different people experience challenges in different ways. Speaking candidly about the opportunities available to some newcomers, he remarked, “Some people struggle in a BMW; they start their journey by working with the top two to three directors in the country. I came after giving 250 auditions.”
Financial challenges and self-doubt
The actor also reflected on a period when financial limitations affected even simple aspects of daily life. Despite now being known for his fashion choices, Shahid revealed that there was a time when buying clothes was not easy.Recalling those days, he said, “Today, people say that Shahid’s fashion sense is so good, and sometimes, I laugh at things like this because I remember at one point, I didn’t have enough money to buy clothes in Lokhandwala market.”Beyond financial concerns, Shahid admitted that he struggled emotionally as well. Reflecting on a difficult chapter of his life, he shared, “I went through a very long phase of feeling victimised by my circumstances.”
‘Cocktail 2’ set for release
Over the years, Shahid transformed those experiences into motivation and established himself as one of Hindi cinema’s leading actors. Since making his debut with ‘Ishq Vishk’ in 2003, he has delivered several memorable performances across genres. The actor is now preparing for the release of Cocktail 2, directed by Homi Adajania. The romantic comedy is scheduled to arrive in theatres on June 19, 2026.Serving as a spiritual successor to the 2012 hit ‘Cocktail’, the film stars Rashmika Mandanna and Kriti Sanon alongside Shahid Kapoor. The story centres on a complicated love triangle involving Kunal, Diya and Ally.