Economics at Delhi St Stephen's College, CA, film-making: Nostalgic Shekhar Kapur confesses - 'Still rebelling and what is life without it'

At 19, Shekhar Kapur left Delhi’s St. Stephen's College with an economics degree, boarding a plane to London to become a Chartered Accountant. That first step outside India marked the beginning of a journey defined by courage, curiosity, and constant rebellion. From numbers to narratives, Kapur transformed his path from accountancy to filmmaking, proving that life’s greatest adventures often lie beyond the expected.

Taking to X recently, he shared a throwback photo from his college days, reminiscing about his journey at 19, fresh out of St. Stephen's College in Delhi with a degree in economics, as he headed to London to become a Chartered Accountant. He reflected on how he rebelled against everything then and continues to do so now, believing that life’s adventure comes from challenging what is and exploring what might be. He acknowledged that failure and setbacks are inevitable, but emphasised learning to rise again and keep exploring the unknown, as that is where life’s true adventure lies.

About Shekhar Kapur's schooling

After his early years in New Delhi at Modern School, Shekhar Kapur pursued economics at St. Stephen’s College. By 22, he had become a Chartered Accountant with the ICAEW in England, diving into accountancy before launching a career in a multinational oil company. The 1970s saw him in the UK, building experience as an accountant and management consultant, a far cry from the film sets he would later command.

His entry in Bollywood

Kapur’s entry into Bollywood came through television, earning recognition with his recurring role in Khandaan. His transition to directing began with the heartfelt family drama Masoom in 1983, which quickly gained cult status. He followed it with Mr India in 1987, a blockbuster that cemented his reputation in mainstream cinema. The 1990s brought international acclaim with Bandit Queen, a daring biographical account of Phoolan Devi, which premiered at Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight and made waves at the Edinburgh Film Festival.


Kapur’s global presence expanded further with Elizabeth in 1998, a richly detailed period drama about Queen Elizabeth I that earned seven Academy Award nominations. In recognition of his contributions to Indian cinema, Shekhar Kapur was honoured with the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, in 2025, celebrating a career that spans continents, genres, and generations. From accountant to auteur, Kapur’s journey is a testament to following curiosity, embracing rebellion, and creating films that continue to resonate worldwide.