Veteran actress Neelima Azeem has candidly spoken about the breakdown of her marriage to acclaimed actor Pankaj Kapur, a separation that occurred over four decades ago when their son, superstar Shahid Kapoor, was merely three years old. In a recent interview, Azeem looked back without regret, attributing the split primarily to the physical and emotional distance that grew between them as they pursued their careers in different cities.
The Geographical Divide That Shaped a Family
Neelima Azeem explained that the core issue was the logistical challenge of their situation in the early 1980s. Pankaj Kapur moved to Mumbai to advance his acting career, while Azeem remained in Delhi with their young son, Shahid, living with her parents and continuing her work as a dancer. She revealed that while she supported his decision to leave for better opportunities, the prolonged separation took its toll.
"There was a very massive distance since he was in Mumbai and I was in Delhi," Azeem stated. She described herself at the time as "still very much the girl who was in Delhi with my parents." The actress suggested that it might not have been the ideal decision for Kapur to move without the family, but acknowledged the consuming nature of an artist's pursuits. The divorce was finalized in 1984, marking the end of their union.
Reflections on a Marriage 'Not Meant to Be'
Looking back with the wisdom of 40 years, Neelima Azeem shared a philosophical perspective on the relationship's end. She emphasized that no one enters marriage intending to separate. "Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be," she said, pointing to fundamental differences between them.
She elaborated on the misalignment that can occur in a partnership, stating, "Marriage is not about what anybody did or what happened, it’s about where you are in your mind or which phase you are in, in your life. If that vibration doesn’t have the same frequency, it doesn’t sit well." Azeem stressed that she has evolved as a person since those early days, admitting that the challenges were too much for her "very young shoulders" at the time.
A Life Filled with Pride and No Regrets
Despite the marital breakdown, Neelima Azeem's narrative is one of contentment and fulfillment, centered on her children. She expressed having absolutely no regrets about the past, because it led to her having her two sons, Shahid Kapoor and Ishaan Khatter.
"If I look at it from every angle, I have no regrets because I have Shahid and Ishaan. I wish well for everyone," Azeem affirmed. Following her divorce from Pankaj Kapur, she married actor Rajesh Khatter, and their son, Ishaan Khatter, was born. Today, both Shahid and Ishaan are established actors in the Hindi film industry, following in the footsteps of their father, Pankaj Kapur, who remains a celebrated figure in Indian cinema and theatre.
On the professional front, Shahid Kapoor was recently seen in the film Deva and has projects like O’ Romeo and Cocktail 2 in the pipeline. Ishaan Khatter was featured in Homebound and the web series The Royals. Personally, Shahid is married to Mira Kapoor, and they are parents to two children, Misha and Zain. Ishaan Khatter has been romantically linked to Malaysian model Chandni Bainz.
Neelima Azeem's story is a poignant glimpse into the personal lives of a renowned Bollywood family, highlighting how career demands, personal growth, and geographical divides can shape destinies, while ultimately celebrating the enduring bond of motherhood.
