Unfair to say Ishaan is following elder brother Shahid's footsteps - Neelima Azeem

As a mother, Neelima Azeem doesn't take too kindly to people who tend to compare her son Ishaan Khattar with his elder step brother Shahid Kapur. Ask her whether Ishaan is following Shahid's footsteps and planning to get into acting, Neelima is quick to point out that comparisons between Ishaan and Shahid are uncalled for. Says Neelima, "I don't think it is fair to compare Ishaan with Shahid. Ishaan is very talented and extremely dynamic. Even though I know people mean good for me and my children, I just don't like people asking if Ishaan is following the footsteps of his elder brother Shahid." Elaborating on why she doesn't like such comparisons, Neelima says, "I have brought up Shahid as an independent individual and wouldn't like the world to say that he is following his mother's footsteps as an actor or dancer. Ishaan is a very independent individual, he is handsome to die for and is extremely talented. It just so happens that both my children have taken after me not just in terms of looks but also dancing abilities as well. Ishaan is learning dance and is also doing some acting courses. He is traveling a lot and is at such a phase in his life where he is experimenting with a lot many things. So it's not right to say he is following Shahid's footsteps because he has his own independent identity." While Neelima is busy today with her dance shows, she does keep a keen eye out on Shahid and his films. And at the moment, she feels Haider could establish him as one of the top notch actors in India. "The last time Vishal and Shahid have teamed up they have given us a brilliant film. I think visually Haider is looking devastatingly brilliant. It is a different sort of approach to Hamlet and raising curiosity among people who know and have read Hamlet. For me, I want to see what kind of a take-off it is." Talking about Shahid and his performance, Neelima says, "The kind of looks that Shahid sports in Hamlet is completely amazing, And very few people will have the guts or courage to go ahead and get their head shaved for a role. He is not your cute good looking hero in the movie. From a mother's point of view, I will be happy if a cinema like this does well where Shahid is leading the way by picking up a character like this and playing it. If the movie becomes a big hit, Indian cinema will take a huge leap." Well, looking at the trailer of the movie, it won't be too difficult to hazard a guess that a deluge of critical acclaim will flow Haider's way on its release.