Dad often jokes that he was Shakespeare in his past life: Shahid Kapoor

My father (Pankaj Kapur) has done Shakespearean plays when he studied at the National School of Drama. He considers him the greatest writer ever, and even jokes that perhaps, in his last life, he was Shakespeare," says Shahid.

Shahid Kapoor is surprised to see fans from countries like France, Russia and Turkey writing to him about his films and even showing interest in the fact that his upcoming release --

Pankaj-Kapoor-and-Tabu-in-a-still-from-Maqbool-another-of-Vishal-Bhardwaj-s-masterpieces-which-was-inspired-by-Shakespeare-s-Macbeth

Haider

-- is an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

"Shakespeare has been a huge part of my life. My father (actor Pankaj Kapur) swears by him, and he has done Shakespearean plays when he studied at the National School of Drama. He considers him the greatest writer ever, and even jokes that perhaps, in his last life, he was Shakespeare (sic)," says Shahid.

Since he too was exposed to the Bard’s work at a young age, Shahid hopes his film will offer the audience a new experience. He says, "I’m not surprised that people from different countries, who speak different languages, are connecting with the film. Shakespeare is beyond boundaries."