Success stories in Bollywood often look glamorous from the outside, but many actors and film families have gone through years of struggle before reaching stability. One such story belongs to veteran actor Neelima Azeem, who once came to Mumbai with only Rs 4,500 in hand while trying to rebuild her life after separation from actor Pankaj Kapur. Along with her was her young son, who later grew up to become one of Hindi cinema’s biggest stars, Shahid Kapoor.
Today, Shahid is among the most recognised actors in Bollywood, with films like Kabir Singh, Haider and Udta Punjab to his name. His highest-grossing release remains Padmaavat, which earned around Rs 585 crore worldwide.
She said, “When I came to this town in 1990, I had four and a half thousand in my hands, which I had earned myself, I did not take it from my parents. I was very independent. I just managed it.”
The actor explained that acting became a full-time responsibility for her because she needed financial security. At the same time, she was also dealing with the emotional pressure of separation and single motherhood at a young age.
Talking about that period, she said, “I was extremely young, and I don’t know how well I coped with it, and my kid had to see that and experience it. So it wasn't all hunky-dory for him, but he had great grandparents who were great parents also, so they were there for us.”
According to Neelima, Shahid spent most of his childhood at his maternal grandparents’ home until he was around nine years old. She credited her parents for giving him stability and emotional support during that phase.
In another part of the interview, she also said, “My parents were the people that influenced him as a child. Till he was nine years old, he lived at his maternal grandparents' home.”
While Padmaavat remains his biggest worldwide grosser at around Rs 585 crore, Kabir Singh is still considered his biggest solo commercial success as a lead actor, collecting around Rs 377 crore globally.
In recent years, Shahid also received praise for projects like the web series Farzi and the film Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya.
Today, Shahid is among the most recognised actors in Bollywood, with films like Kabir Singh, Haider and Udta Punjab to his name. His highest-grossing release remains Padmaavat, which earned around Rs 585 crore worldwide.
Neelima Azeem's difficult years after divorce
In a recent conversation with Zoom, Neelima Azeem spoke openly about the difficult phase she faced after her divorce. She shared how she shifted from Delhi to Mumbai in 1990 with very little money and tried to build a career while also raising her son.She said, “When I came to this town in 1990, I had four and a half thousand in my hands, which I had earned myself, I did not take it from my parents. I was very independent. I just managed it.”
The actor explained that acting became a full-time responsibility for her because she needed financial security. At the same time, she was also dealing with the emotional pressure of separation and single motherhood at a young age.
Shahid Kapoor's childhood with grandparents
Neelima also spoke about how the divorce affected Shahid Kapoor during his early years. She admitted that she was still very young and trying to understand life herself when everything happened.Talking about that period, she said, “I was extremely young, and I don’t know how well I coped with it, and my kid had to see that and experience it. So it wasn't all hunky-dory for him, but he had great grandparents who were great parents also, so they were there for us.”
According to Neelima, Shahid spent most of his childhood at his maternal grandparents’ home until he was around nine years old. She credited her parents for giving him stability and emotional support during that phase.
In another part of the interview, she also said, “My parents were the people that influenced him as a child. Till he was nine years old, he lived at his maternal grandparents' home.”
Becoming a major Bollywood name
Years later, Shahid Kapoor established himself as one of the industry’s leading actors. Starting with romantic films, he later moved into more intense and performance-driven roles. His performances in films like Jab We Met, Kaminey and Kabir Singh helped him build a strong fan base across audiences.While Padmaavat remains his biggest worldwide grosser at around Rs 585 crore, Kabir Singh is still considered his biggest solo commercial success as a lead actor, collecting around Rs 377 crore globally.
In recent years, Shahid also received praise for projects like the web series Farzi and the film Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya.
