Actor Zahan Kapoor opened up about his career, his latest Netflix show, Black Warrant, his famous cousins, and more, at the India Today Conclave 2025 held in New Delhi on Saturday.
In Short
Zahan Kapoor discussed his career and the Netflix series Black Warrant
He clarified his journey wasn’t easy despite being a part of the Kapoor legacy
The actor was speaking at the India Today Conclave 2025 in New Delhi
Actor Zahan Kapoor on Saturday opened up about his career and his popular Netflix series, Black Warrant and the rich Kapoor legacy while speaking as a part of the session, Star Warrant: New Kapoor on the Block, at the India Today Conclave 2025.
Speaking to anchor Akshita Nandagopal of the India Today Group, the actor said that, contrary to popular belief, he hasn’t had it easy. “I don’t think I had it easy, only because I don’t think anyone really has it easy. It depends; it’s subjective. I can only speak for myself. I was given a few opportunities and some access. I wanted to find my own feet. I was encouraged in different ways. I had access to, let’s say, theatre being around, and now I am deeply involved in Prithvi Theatre, its functioning, and its growth,” Kapoor said.
Zahan Kapoor on navigating expectations
Zahan shared that he had to navigate certain expectations which people had of him due to his surname. “It was difficult for me to navigate these expectations. It was difficult to figure out what I should do. All I knew was that I wanted to be a part of this magical world of telling stories, to serve it in the best way I can. And I like learning. I really do. I’m very nerdy like that. So, I’m reading, I’m learning, I’m talking to people, I’m watching resources, I’m watching films, and, you know, some event like this,” said the actor.
During the conversation, the Black Warrant star also opened up about his family and their rich cinematic legacy. He called them “hard-working individuals” and added, “They are passionate about what they do. Fame and celebrity are a by-product and so it’s not the source of their concern. The concern is how to live a life in the most passionate and big way possible while serving cinema, stories, art, culture. And then you are also a representative of this society, so you play the showbiz game, consequently.”
Black Warrant’s success
The chat then turned to his recent success, thanks to the great reception of his Netflix series, Black Warrant. The actor shared that getting all the love has been overwhelming, to say the least.
“Everyone works really hard to make something impactful. But it doesn’t always happen. So to be a part of something like this which has resonated, this is very special. Being the new Kapoor on the block is also a common source of intrigue for a lot of people. It is both an advantage and a disadvantage,” shared the artiste.
Kapoor also shed light on how Black Warrant came about in the first place, stating, “Black Warrant started with Sunil Gupta, who was a jailer at Tihar. He met writer Sunetra Choudhary. And they got support from Roli books, and the book did well. Because it was a novel perspective into the machinery. And then the confluence media came in, and they acquired the rights, and then they went to filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane. Then other people come on board. Everyone was joining hands in service of something and then finally, Netflix came in. So I am just a small part of the journey.”
The actor went on to share some insights about what he came to know about the Indian prison system during the process, adding, “Mainly the superstitions, like women would go into prison so that they could give birth in prison, thinking that they would have sons. Strange superstitions like that still apparently exist.”
“It’s also surprising how the jail is run predominantly by the prisoners. Sunil jiI was literally having dinner with him three days ago was saying that throughout his career, he found it easier to trust prisoners than even his co-officers, sometimes because of corruption. That’s such a strange thing to hearthat someone finds it easier to trust the prisoner,” the amused actor mentioned.
The Kapoor legacy
Those acting skills are no joke, as the audience has come to learn after watching Black Warrant. And they run in the family. During the session, Kapoor remembered his late grandfather and actor Shashi Kapoor and recalled sharing the same space with him while growing up.
“My grandfather (Shashi Kapoor) separated himself in terms of how he lived. By the time I was born, he was already retired. There is one vivid memory I have, which I’ve shared in another interview. One day, I came home from school and suddenly saw Amitabh Bachchan sir at our house to meet my grandfather. I recognised him, but I didn’t understand was he there every day? I greeted him with namaste, and he did the same. It was kind of a demystified upbringing,” Kapoor said.
The Black Warrant star credited theatre for helping him hone his skills in front of the camera, “Theatre was my connection. I remember visiting the theatre as a young child. Prithvi was the grounding, the anchor. And as I grew up, more and more so. Zakir Jiwho has been a supporter of Prithvi and has performed a memorial concert for 40 years non-stop in memory of my grandmother became an inspiration to me. He left a constant impression on me about what it means to be an artiste in service of their craft, and how you can connect with people, and how you can share your life with others.”
Bonding with cousins
When the topic turned to the Kapoor legacy, how could one not mention his cousins, who also happen to be Bollywood stars (read Ranbir Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor). Sharing how he bonds with them, Kapoor mentioned the family loves food and films.
“We all love food, we all love cinema. We love stories, we are a big, loud Punjabi family. But I am very proud that I have started to create my own relationships with them and the larger industry based on the fact that I’m also here to do my work. That I auditioned to get this part, that I’m being recognised first. It’s one of the most gratifying things when people say, ‘I saw it. I loved it. I love the role. I love the work,’ and then they say, ‘I found out that you are related to the Kapoors’. There is a huge consideration when they get to know about me, but again, how far will that take me? I do not take anything for granted,” said Zahan Kapoor.
When asked if there is anyone apart from his family he enjoys watching on screen, the actor was quick to mention, “Of the younger lot, of my contemporaries, there are so many right now. Adarsh Gourav‘s new film Superboys of Malegaon is out. I think he’s a fantastic actor, dedicated, sincere and honest. Sparsh Srivastava, who was in Laapata Ladies, a young actor, is doing some incredible work. Aditya Raval, who is a dear friend, is a terrific artiste. Then there is Vicky Kaushal, Rajkumar Rao, Manoj Bajpayee sir, the late Irrfan sahib, of course. Ranbir himself, Ranveer Singh, there is just so much to learn from everyone.”
What’s next for Zahan Kapoor?
So, after the humongous OTT success, will we see Zahan Kapoor in more projects this year?
The actor shared he is getting the jitters, “I am very nervous nowmore than I was beforebecause the expectations and the bar have been set. But I’m very excited about the entire spectrum. I think there is space for everything. I am really excited about being a part of stories of all kinds.”
“Like I said, I love doing theatre. It’s where I’ve created my foundation as a performer and a facilitator, and I want to be able to serve stories in different shapes. It’s not just about being hard-hitting or meaningful; it’s also about being honest and curious,” the actor signed off.
Zahan on grandfather Shashi Kapoor and theatre influence: Prithvi was the anchor
Actor Zahan Kapoor recently recalled memories of his grandfather, late Shashi Kapoor at the India Today Conclave 2025. The actor shared how theatre influenced him and his career.
In Short
Zahan Kapoor shared memories of grandfather Shashi Kapoor
He recalled being awestruck by Big B’s presence at his house during childhood
Zahan shared how theatre was his connection with the industry
Actor Zahan Kapoor shared vivid memories of his grandfather, legendary actor Shashi Kapoor, at the India Today Conclave. During his session, Star Warrant: New Kapoor on the Block, the actor recalled his childhood memories and what led him to do theatre.
While talking about the same, he said, “A part of it is because of my grandfather, who separated himself in terms of how he lived. By the time I was born, he was already retired.”
When asked if he knew about his grandfather’s superstardom back then, Zahan said, “One of my most vivid childhood memories is from when I was around 8 or 9 years old when one day I came home from school and was surprised to see Amitabh Bachchan sir at our house to meet my grandfather. I instantly recognised him, but I didn’t fully understand the significance of the moment because, to me, Shashi Kapoor was simply my dadaji. We saw him every day, greeted him with ‘namaste’ and ‘Om Om,’ and he would always encourage me to greet others the same way.”
“He would watch his TV, cricket. It was a much-demystified upbringing, outside and away from the regular churn of the industry,” he added.
Further, Zahan shared that theatre was his only way to connect with the film industry. “Theatre was my connection. I remember visiting the theatre as a young child. Prithvi was the grounding, the anchor,” he concluded.
During the same session, Zahan even got candid about his role as Sunil Gupta in Black Warrant, his legacy in Indian cinema, family dynamics and his connection with theatre, among others.
Meanwhile, Black Warrant is currently streaming on Netflix. It is based on the acclaimed 2019 non-fiction book Black Warrant: Confessions of a Tihar Jailer by Sunil Gupta and Sunetra Choudhury. Created by Vikramaditya Motwane and Satyanshu Singh, the series also features Rahul Bhat, Paramvir Singh Cheema, and Anurag Thakur in key roles.
The Kapoor legacy is like a double-edged sword: Zahan Kapoor
Actor Zahan Kapoor, who garnered a fanbase with his performance in ‘Black Warrant’, discussed the advantages and challenges of the Kapoor legacy at the India Today Conclave 2025.
In Short
Zahan Kapoor discussed film dynasty pressures at India Today Conclave 2025
He gained fame with the Netflix series Black Warrant
Zahan stressed hard work over family name for success
Being born into a film dynasty comes with its own set of expectations, advantages, and challenges. The latest Kapoor to enter the industry, Zahan Kapoor of Black Warrant fame, acknowledged the intrigue surrounding their entry into the entertainment world. While speaking during his session titled Star Warrant: New Kapoor on the Block, at India Today Conclave 2025 in New Delhi on March 8, the actor discussed the challenges, expectations and pressure of taking forward his legacy.
ON THE DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD OF LEGACY
Zahan Kapoor rose to fame with the Netflix series Black Warrant. He played Sunil Kumar Gupta, a performance that stood out as the highlight of the crime drama. During the session on Saturday, when Zahan was asked about handling the pressure of his legacy, he shared, “Being the new Kapoor on the block is a common source of intrigue for many people. It’s interesting, both an advantage and a disadvantage. It is a do dhaari talvaar (double-edged sword).”
He added, “There is pressure and expectation, yet there is also forgiveness and accessibility in certain ways. Thankfully, I’m happy to say that my parents ensured I wasn’t carrying that weight on my shoulders and taught me to be diligent with my own work. Things are in my hands and in how I show up.”
ON GETTING ROLES BY BEING A KAPOOR
While many assume that a well-known surname guarantees an easy path to success, Zahan Kapoor, grandson of Shashi Kapoor, emphasised that hard work remains the key differentiator. “What can I do about it? I can only work hard, and try to make sure that my work reflects my dedication and perseverance. I want to learn and keep learning. That’s how I was raised by my parents. I do not take it for granted”, he said.
Addressing the widespread perception that belonging to a film family ensures a smooth journey, the 32-year-old refuted the idea of an effortless rise to fame. Zahan continued, “I don’t think I had it easy because I don’t believe anyone truly does. It’s subjective. I can only speak for myself. I was given some opportunities and access, but not everything.”
“I wanted to find my own footing and was encouraged in different ways. I had access to theatre being around and am deeply involved in Prithvi Theatre, including its functioning and growth.”
IS IT EASY BEING A KAPOOR
Despite the access, carving out an individual path wasn’t without its difficulties. Zahan, who credits theatre for his rise in the industry, said, “It was difficult for me to navigate these expectations. It was difficult to figure out what I should do. All I knew was that I wanted to be a part of this magical world of telling stories, to serve it in the best way I can. And I like learning; I really do. I’m very nerdy like that. So I’m reading, learning, talking to people, watching rehearsals and films. I am fascinated and trying to reflect on life around us, so society questions that.”
For Zahan Kapoor, the process of honing the craft is a continuous and immersive experience. “It’s an immersive process, and it’s not easy, but it’s fun.”
