Shahid Kapoor was 3.5 Years Old when Parents Neelima Azeem and Pankaj Kapur Got Divorced; Neelima says ‘It Was Not My Decision’

Shahid Kapoor’s parents Neelima Azeem and Pankaj Kapur tied the knot in 1975 but their marriage did not go down well and the couple parted ways a few years later. Shahid was three-and-a-half years old when his parents separated and his mother raised him single-handedly after his father moved on.

In a recent chat, Neelima reveals that it was not her decision to get divorced. “I would like to say that I didn’t decide to separate. It’s a fact. He moved on and it was a difficult thing for me to stomach but he also had his reasons. We had been friends from a long time. I think I was 15 years old when I became friends with him. He had very good reasons and I understood it,” she told Pinkvilla.

After divorce with Neelima, Pankaj Kapur married Supriya Pathak and has two children - Sanah Kapur and Ruhaan Kapur with her. “When there’s a break-up, which is called divorce, it is painful for both. There was a lot of friendship and attachment but there was heartbreak. It’s alright. He’s very well settled with his family today and I wish him well,” Neelima added.

After the separation, Neelima bounced back to her work and credits Shahid for his support and strength. “He gave me an insurmountable belief in life. I was young so I was able to do it again. It took time though, it took me about a couple of years, but then I was fine,” she said.

Neelima then got married to Rajesh Khattar and gave birth to Ishaan Khattar with him. However, that marriage too could not survive and ended in divorce. Rajesh later tied the knot to Vandana and is now happily married. She was also married to Ustad Raza Ali Khan, but that marriage, too, did not last long.

Speaking of Ishaan’s birth, Neelima shares that it was Shahid who wanted a brother. "After Ishaan was born, Shahid came to Yari Road where we used to stay, and went to the next gully where he played with his friends and did a full mad dance. He was so happy” she shared.

She says that Shahid loves Ishaan dearly and that her looked after his brother like his own child. "I have several photos of them sitting and reading newspapers. So Shahid had a mini Shahid in his lap, " she says.

She further adds, "Shahid was a huge help in case of Ishaan. He's not only his biggest inspiration and motivation but I know it for a fact that Ishaan loves me because I'm his mother but he loves Shahid equally." 

Besides, Shahid's stepfather and Ishaan's father Rajesh Khattar recently turned father to baby boy Vanraj and shared pictures of the baby on social media.

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