In a candid conversation that highlighted a mother's respect for her children's personal boundaries, veteran actor and dancer Neelima Azeem recently addressed the constant media scrutiny surrounding her famous sons. While speaking on a podcast, Azeem gracefully navigated questions about Shahid Kapoor's past relationships and Ishaan Khatter's current dating rumours with actor Ananya Panday, firmly stating she would not discuss their private lives.
"They Became Their Own People": On Sons Leaving the Nest
The interview, conducted by Vickey Lalwani and published on December 31, 2025, delved into Azeem's relationship with her sons and their journey into adulthood. She revealed that both Shahid and Ishaan moved out of the family home around the age of 23. Neelima Azeem actively encouraged this independence, believing it was crucial for their growth.
"I encouraged it because I think they only grew up with their mother, and they 'manned up' on their own," she explained. She expressed pride in their individual paths, adding, "They found their artistic truths. They became their own people, and it's a good thing because they will make good men for their women."
A Firm Boundary on Personal Lives
When the conversation turned to Shahid Kapoor's much-publicised past relationships with actors like Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra, Azeem was quick to shut down the line of questioning. She established a clear boundary, emphasizing her respect for her son's autonomy.
"I don't talk about that at all. It is his private life to reveal, and it is his life to share or not share," she stated firmly. Highlighting his current roles as a father and husband, she said, "He is a grown-up man. I wouldn't talk about his past. Everybody has a past, and everybody has relationships."
She did acknowledge that Shahid confides in her, but she treats that trust as sacred. "The go-to person was me, and he told me, but I wouldn't share it with anyone else," Azeem revealed.
Addressing Ishaan Khatter and Ananya Panday Rumours
The same principle applied when she was asked about the persistent dating rumours linking her younger son, Ishaan Khatter, with fellow actor Ananya Panday. Neelima Azeem declined to comment, showcasing her consistent stance on her children's privacy.
"That I am not getting into," she said. She described the family as being an "open book" with each other, where Ishaan shares everything with her, his brother Shahid, and his bhabi (sister-in-law, Mira Rajput). However, she draws a line at public discourse. "I respect them, and they are grownups. They have very strong personalities; I am much cooler, and I can talk about myself, but they are much more private about their lives."
In contrast to her protective stance over her sons' lives, Azeem was open about her own experiences during the interview. She spoke about her separation from actor Pankaj Kapoor and reflected on how the physical distance between Mumbai and Delhi at the time may have affected a young Shahid. This openness about her own journey underscored her policy: she is free to discuss her life, but her sons have the right to control the narrative of theirs.
Through this interview, Neelima Azeem presented a clear portrait of a supportive mother who champions her children's careers and independence while fiercely guarding their right to a private life away from the Bollywood gossip mill.
