In a candid reflection that resonates with anyone who’s ever pondered life’s twists, acclaimed filmmaker Shekhar Kapur has sparked a profound debate: Are our life’s decisions truly our own, or is everything scripted by destiny and karma?
Speaking from his vast experiences, Kapur recounted his early journey. ‘I headed to London to study chartered accountancy, the gold standard career back then,’ he shared. Visions of a secure job, societal respect, a stable family life, and a worry-free future seemed locked in. It was the quintessential safe path—no risks, just steady progress.
But life had other ideas. After completing his studies and dabbling in jobs, Kapur made a bold pivot. He walked away from it all, without a clear roadmap ahead. ‘I gathered the courage to step off that secure path,’ he admitted, leaving behind guarantees for the unknown.
This pivot led him to acting in India and abroad, directing films and TV projects, and diving into theater across London’s West End, Broadway, Europe, and Dubai. He even launched India’s first digital startup and taught internationally. ‘I seized every opportunity that came my way,’ Kapur emphasized, but always reacting to circumstances rather than following a master plan.
The core question lingers: Was this karma’s design or his choices? Kapur pondered deeper truths. ‘We don’t control our birth, who we fall in love with, when our hearts break, or when life ends.’ Effort matters, he noted, but paths often unfold mysteriously, beyond our grasp.
Kapur’s story challenges us to reflect on our own detours. In a world obsessed with control, his words remind us that some of life’s most beautiful chapters emerge from surrender to the unknown.