Veteran Indian actor Pankaj Kapur, father of Bollywood star Shahid Kapoor, has revealed that his family’s ancestral roots trace back to Hafizabad, a city in Punjab, Pakistan. In a recent interview on The Lallantop Show, Kapur opened up about his family’s background and connection to pre-Partition Pakistan.
Ancestral Link to Hafizabad and Lahore’s FC College
During the podcast, Pankaj Kapur shared that his grandfather had a transferable government job, which kept the family on the move. However, their ancestral home was Hafizabad, where the Kapoor family once lived as a joint family.
“My father was an intellectual — a writer, magazine editor, and public speaker,” he said, adding that his father served as an editor at Forman Christian College (now FC College University) in Lahore, one of the most prestigious institutions in the region before the 1947 Partition.
“He was considered one of the most stylish and articulate people of his time,” Kapur added proudly.
Despite the family’s Pakistani roots, they did not experience the trauma of displacement during Partition. “We were already settled in India when Partition happened, so we didn’t have to migrate,” he clarified when asked if the family had to relocate after 1947.
Bridging Histories Through Family Legacy
The conversation provided a rare window into the family history of one of India’s most respected acting dynasties, subtly highlighting the shared cultural and historical fabric between India and Pakistan.
While Shahid Kapoor has carved out a distinct identity in Bollywood with blockbuster hits like Haider, Kabir Singh, Udta Punjab, and Padmaavat, this ancestral link adds a new layer to the public’s understanding of his roots.
Pankaj Kapur: A Legend in Indian Theatre and Film
Pankaj Kapur himself is a revered figure in Indian cinema and theatre, with standout performances in critically acclaimed films like Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Mandi, Gandhi, Toba Tek Singh, Bheed, and Jersey. His intense, thoughtful acting style and directorial finesse have earned him lasting respect across generations.
Despite being Shahid’s father, Kapur never overshadowed his son’s journey in Bollywood, allowing Shahid to create his own path and legacy.
