DailyMail covers Sonam Kapoor s Peace cover for Bazaar Arabia

By SIOFRA BRENNAN FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 15:42 GMT, 30 November 2015 | UPDATED: 20:05 GMT, 30 November 2015

She may come from Bollywood royalty, but actress Sonam Kapoor insists she hasn't had her career handed to her on a plate.

In a new interview with Harper's Bazaar Arabia, the Indian star explains that her father, Slumdog Millionaire star Anil Kapoor, stopped supporting her at the age of 18 to force her to make her own way.

The Mumbai-born 30-year-old said: 'I've had nothing from my father since I was 17. He cut me off when I was 18.

The actress is the daughter of Bollywood legend Anil Kapoor, but she insists that her father cut her off at 18 and insisted she find her own way in the film industry

and insisted she find her own way in the film industry

'He said: "You're an adult now. I started off with nothing, so you need to as well. You can do this on your own."

Sonam's father is a legendary Indian actor whose career spans more than 40 years.

As well as being one of Bollywood's biggest stars, he's also crossed over into Hollywood with films such as Slumdog Millionaire and Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol.

Her grandfather, two uncles, aunt and sister are also film industry heavyweights.

Although she admits she's led a priveleged life, she doesn't feel the need to explain herself to people who judge her for enjoying a nice lifestyle

The actress poses in an off-white gazar tulle dress with high neck made from embroidered threads and pearl panels

But she now feels proud of her background and the advantages it's given her.

'I don't want to feel guilty about who my father is, where I come from, and stuff that I've done for myself so that I can afford a certain lifestyle,' she reveals.

'My dad worked for over 30 years, so that he could give his children everything. So if anyone says that I'm here because of my father, I never say no, because I am.'

She adds: 'Because I'm famous, people think they have a right to judge me.

Actress Sonam understands that people will still put her success down to her famous father

Sonam models a black couture gown embellished with ostrich feathers by the renowned Saudi Arabian designer Mohammed Ashi

'When you like nice things or want nice stuff, people kind of judge because India isn't a very indulgent place,' Sonam explains

'They think I'm spoiled, but not in terms of professionalism, in that I get what I want. If I want to buy a car, I'll buy it.

'When you like nice things or want nice stuff, people kind of judge because India isn't a very indulgent place.

'And that's what I've grown up feeling, that I don't need to give an explanation to anybody about who I am.'

As well as starring in a stunning desert shoot, wearing couture creations by Saudia Arabian designer Mohammed Ashi, Sonam is also the cover star for Harper's Bazaar Arabia for the first time.

Modelling an off-white tulle dress with a structured skirt embellished with thread work and pearls

The Dubai desert provides a stunning backdrop for the glamorous shoot

Her image features in their December issue, which has been specially created with the idea of promoting peace in the wake of recent terror attacks in Paris and Lebanon.

Beneath her picture are the words 'Peace' in English and 'Salam' in Arabic.

The choice of an Indian actress wearing Arabian couture to cover of the Middle Eastern edition of an international publication with its headquarters in New York is designed to reflect a message of peace for everyone around the world, according to its editor.

The December cover of Harper's Bazaar Arabia is designed to promote a message of world peace, following terror attacks in Paris and Lebanon