Imagine a life where your path seemed paved for success, only for you to veer off course into the unknown. That's precisely the crossroads director Shekhar Kapur found himself at, a decision that led him away from a lucrative Chartered Accountant career to the unpredictable world of filmmaking.
Shekhar Kapur, the visionary behind beloved films like 'Mr India' and 'Masoom,' recently shared a deeply personal reflection on his Instagram, revealing that filmmaking wasn't his initial ambition. In fact, he was on track to become a Chartered Accountant (CA), a profession then considered the pinnacle of career success.
He reminisced about the night before his departure to London, where his life seemed perfectly mapped out. "Life seemed set," he wrote. The CA qualification promised a secure future: a great job upon returning to India, a fast track up the career ladder, and even social prestige, including membership to the exclusive Delhi Gymkhana Club, with leisurely retirement spent playing bridge among the elite. However, as Kapur candidly admits, "Except it did not turn out that way."
But here's where it gets controversial: Kapur walked away from it all after qualifying and working for a couple of years in London. He describes stepping into a void, a state of 'nothingness,' with no clear plan. He questioned, "I wasn’t sure what I was going to do, so I just walked away into nothingness. I had no choice."
This pivotal moment led him to ponder the profound forces at play in his life. Was it destiny? Was it karma? He mused on how these seemingly predetermined factors might have guided him through an astonishingly diverse career, spanning acting, filmmaking, theatre, technology, and academia across various continents.
And this is the part most people miss: Kapur's journey wasn't just about filmmaking. He delved into a multitude of creative and intellectual pursuits. He acted and directed for both Indian and Hollywood productions. He produced theatrical shows in prestigious venues like the West End and Broadway, as well as in Europe and Dubai. He even pioneered India's first digital startup and lectured at MIT. His influence extended to advisory roles on Singapore's Media Development Authority and the Dubai Expo board.
He continued to question his own agency, asking, "Or did I? Is there Karma involved? It’s not like I did nothing... because I had no choice... because I, like a child walked through any door that opened."
This reflection naturally leads to a deeper contemplation of free will versus fate. Kapur probed, “We don’t control when we were born. When we die. When we fall in love or out of love... when we are betrayed (or betray). Looking back I ask myself this.. did you control what you did, or was it supposed to happen? Or were you just rebellious? Or just constantly giving into the flow of life?"
The ultimate question he poses is one that resonates with many: "Did I have a choice? Or was it supposed to happen? Karma, Destiny.. really?"
This introspection comes as Kapur recently reviewed the film 'Dhurandhar' after its OTT release. He noted that he only saw the film after its digital release because it had been banned in Dubai.
What do you think? Do you believe we have complete control over our life's direction, or are we guided by forces beyond our understanding? Share your thoughts in the comments below – do you lean more towards karma and destiny, or do you feel the power of choice is paramount?
