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Shekhar Kapur Reflects on Free Will: From Chartered Accountant to Filmmaker

Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur has reflected on his unconventional journey, questioning how much of it was free will versus destiny. He shared how he walked away from a set path as a Chartered Accountant in London to step into an uncertain future in the arts. Kapur pondered whether karma guided his path to becoming a significant name in Indian and Hollywood cinema, theatre, and digital startups. He concluded by questioning how much control we truly have over life's major events, from love to career choices.

Key Points: Shekhar Kapur on Destiny, Karma, and His Unconventional Career Path

  • Left CA career for uncertainty
  • Believes life events are often beyond control
  • Questions role of karma and destiny
  • Built diverse global career in arts and media
2 min read

Shekhar Kapur talks about significance of free will as he reflects on his journey from C.A to movies

Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur reflects on free will vs. destiny, sharing his journey from CA student to acclaimed director of 'Mr India' and Hollywood projects.

Shekhar Kapur talks about significance of free will as he reflects on his journey from C.A to movies
"I had no choice... I, like a child walked through any door that opened - Shekhar Kapur"

Mumbai, Feb 15

Ace filmmaker Shekhar Kapur couldn't help but reflect on the importance of free will in one's life as he looked back on his unconventional yet fascinating journey from being a C.A student to making movies.

Shekhar recalled the time he went to London to pursue a career in Chartered Accountancy, heading towards a life of comfort. However, destiny had some other plans for him.

He wrote on social media,"That was a night before I left India for London to be a Chartered Accontant. Life seemed set. The best qualification you could have then. Great job whe you got back. High up the ladder in the marriage market. Membership to the Delhi Gymkhana Club.. and a great retirement playing bridge amongst the then elite at the club. Except it did not turn out that way. I walked away after qualifying and doing a couple of jobs in London. I wasn't sure what I was going to do, so I just walked away into nothingness. I had no choice (sic)."

The 'Mr India' maker questioned if Karma had a role to play in his journey, which led him to become a significant name in the entertainment industry.

"Or did I ? Is there Karma involved? It's not like I did nothing. I acted and made Movies/TV in India and Hollywood. I created theatrical productions in the West End, in Broadway, in Europe and Dubai .. I created India's first Digital Start Up. I taught at MIT .. been on tBoard of Singapore's Media Development Authority, and tBoard of Dubai Expo. And so so much more .. because I had no choice .. because I, like a child walked through any door that opened .. for I had no choice ..I had no choice ?," he added.

Admitting how little of our lives we actually have control over, the 'Masoom' maker shared, "We don't control when we 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 life ?"

"Did I have a choice .. .. or was it supposed to happen ? Karma, Destiny ..really ?," the director asked.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
His reflection on karma and destiny is deep. In our culture, we're always told about "karma" and "bhagya," but he's asking the real question: do we have free will or is it all written? His success makes you think maybe it's a bit of both – you have to walk through the doors that open for you.
R
Rohit P
Respectfully, while his story is amazing, it's also a bit of a privileged take. Walking away from a CA qualification into "nothingness" isn't an option for most middle-class Indians. The security he left behind is the dream for millions. Free will looks different when you have a safety net.
M
Meera T
"I had no choice" – that line hit me. Sometimes life pushes you so hard in one direction that the only choice *is* to change direction. It's not always a grand plan. His work, from Masoom to Mr. India, has so much heart. Maybe that's the karma – doing what you're meant to do.
D
David E
Fascinating to read this from a Western perspective. The interplay between destiny and self-determination is a universal question, but the cultural lens of karma adds a profound layer. His career spanning India and Hollywood is a testament to following curiosity over convention.
S
Shreya B
The mention of Delhi Gymkhana Club is such a specific, elite marker of that time! 😄 He walked away from a very particular kind of settled Indian life. It takes guts. Wondering how many of our parents' generation had similar dreams but didn't have the choice to pursue them.

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