Shahid Kapoor reveals the closet reader in him
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 4, 2017)

Shahid Kapoor, father to eight-month-old Misha, has realised that the written word can change the world. On Tuesday, he was a special guest at UNICEF’s charity gala to raise awareness about child education, literature and equal opportunity for all with the ‘Pass It On’ campaign. “As a parent I understand how important it is for a child to get the right education. Children should be able to express their feelings and words are a strong medium,” he pointed out.

The 36-year-old actor who is presently filming Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati admitted that as a child his parents (Pankaj Kapur and Neelima Azim) had allowed him to do what he wished without any restrictions and expectations. And he is determined not to put any pressure on Misha either. “What better way to help children learn and understand life than encouraging them to read more books. Growing up, my favourite book was Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book. I also read every Roald Dahl book, including Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach,” he informs, adding that the first books he would want his daughter to read are AA Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh series.

The last book the actor has read, thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend is Life is Fair – The Law of Cause and Effect by Brian Hines. “It asks its readers to open their mind and consider new perspectives – a universal, spiritual view of life that sits comfortably with a scientific approach and helps to resolve some of the great contradictions we all face. The author asserts that life is fair and we only ever get what we deserve,” Shahid explains.