Shahid Kapoor (pronounced [ʃaːɦɪd̪ kəˈpuːr]; born 25 February 1981), also known as Shahid Khattar, is an Indian actor who appears in Hindi films. The son of actors Pankaj Kapur and Neelima Azeem, Kapoor was born in New Delhi. His parents separated when he was three, and he continued living with his mother. They moved to Mumbai when has was 10, where he joined Shiamak Davar's dance academy. Kapoor appeared as a background dancer in a few films of the 1990s, and was later featured in music videos and television commercials.
Kapoor made his film debut in 2003 with a leading role in the romantic comedy Ishq Vishk, a sleeper hit for which he won a Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut. He followed it with roles in several commercial failures before starring opposite Amrita Rao in Sooraj Barjatya's top-grossing family drama Vivah (2006). Kapoor earned nominations for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for portraying a troubled businessman in Imtiaz Ali's romantic comedy Jab We Met (2007) and twin brothers in Vishal Bhardwaj's caper thriller Kaminey (2009). After appearing in another series of box office flops, he starred in the action film R... Rajkumar (2013)—his highest-grossing release. In 2014, Kapoor portrayed the Hamlet character in Bhardwaj's acclaimed drama Haider, for which he won the Best Actor award at Filmfare, and in 2016, he played a drug abusing singer in the crime drama Udta Punjab.
Cited in the media as one of the most attractive Indian celebrities, Kapoor maintains his popularity despite a fluctuating career trajectory. Initially recognised for portraying romantic roles, Kapoor has since taken on parts in action films and thrillers. He is the recipient of several awards, including two Filmfare Awards. In addition to acting, Kapoor supports charities, hosts award ceremonies, and has featured as a talent judge on the dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa Reloaded (2015). Following a romantic relationship with the actress Kareena Kapoor, he married Mira Rajput, a student from New Delhi, in 2015.
