Shekhar Kapur Shares How Daughter Kaveri Helped Him Understand His Dyslexia
Reflecting on past events, Shekhar Kapur shared how his daughter Kaveri’s experience led him to understand his own struggles with dyslexia.
Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur recently discussed how Kaveri helped him identify his severe dyslexia. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), he explained his fears, his journey to becoming a Chartered Accountant, and his path into filmmaking.
Understanding Dyslexia
Reflecting on his daughter’s wish to get tested for dyslexia, Shekhar noted, “A few years back, Kaveri mentioned her dyslexia. Her teacher suggested it might be an excuse for extended exam time. Nevertheless, Kaveri wanted to investigate online, and during this process, I discovered that I was not just mildly, but severely dyslexic—everything started to click for me.”
From Chartered Accountant to Filmmaker
Shekhar further shared his challenges leading up to his filmmaking career. “Forms have always terrified me. Just the sight of them sends me into panic mode, and I assumed it was just laziness. How did I become a Chartered Accountant successfully? That remains a mystery.” He also recounted how his line producers would joke, saying, “Shekhar may not review the schedule, but somehow he always completes the day’s shooting on time.”
He went on to explain his acceptance of dyslexia. “At first, everyone, including myself, would laugh it off. Only when I recognized my dyslexia did I see that I wasn’t avoiding reading forms; I genuinely struggled with them. It became clear that many of my creative achievements in filmmaking were not hindered by dyslexia but perhaps enhanced by it. I often wonder if there is a connection between creativity and dyslexia. #Dyslexia #WorldDyslexiaDay #Creativity,” he concluded.
About Shekhar’s Family and Career
Shekhar married Suchitra Krishnamoorthi in 1997, and they welcomed Kaveri in 2001. The couple divorced eight years later.
Shekhar is known as one of the few Indian filmmakers who have successfully made their mark in mainstream Hollywood, directing noteworthy films like Masoom (1983), Mr India (1987), Bandit Queen (1994), Elizabeth (1998), Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007), and What’s Love Got to Do with It (2022).
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