Did You Know Vikrant Massey’s parents were neighbors of the Kapoor family? Actor reveals they stayed in godowns

Deepak Kumar August 29, 2023

Vikrant Massey, one of the most talented and versatile actors in contemporary Bollywood, is often known for his grounded nature and low-key lifestyle, despite his rising success in the film industry. Over the years, Massey has become a respected name in both mainstream cinema and digital platforms, with his performances in films like A Death in the Gunj, Chhapaak, and Ginny Weds Sunny, as well as his impactful roles in web series like Mirzapur and Broken But Beautiful. However, many fans may not be aware of the humble beginnings of Vikrant Massey, particularly the story of how his parents were once neighbors of the Kapoor family, and how their early life in Mumbai was shaped by some of the city’s less glamorous aspects, including living in godowns (warehouses). In a candid revelation, Vikrant Massey recently shared some fascinating details about his childhood and his family’s journey to where they are today. The actor, known for his honesty and openness in interviews, disclosed that his parents, before they settled into their own home, spent a part of their early life living in a small godown in Mumbai. For many of his fans, this piece of information came as a surprise. The connection to the Kapoor family — one of the most iconic film dynasties in Bollywood — further piqued curiosity, as it painted a vivid picture of a more modest and down-to-earth upbringing for the actor, contrasting with the glitzy world of Bollywood. Vikrant Massey’s parents were not born into the Bollywood spotlight. His family, like many others who moved to Mumbai seeking better opportunities, started from scratch. The godown, which served as their home, was part of a larger industrial area, and they lived there with minimal comforts. The actor shared that the godown, typically used for storage purposes, was a far cry from the luxurious apartments that are now part of Mumbai’s urban landscape. Yet, despite the lack of glamour or space, it was where the actor’s parents lived and made a life for themselves. In the same neighborhood where they lived, the famous Kapoor family also resided in an area that was relatively less crowded and not as swanky as the glamorous homes seen today. The Kapoors, who are synonymous with Bollywood royalty, have always had strong ties to the industry, but their early years in the city were also modest. The connection between the Masseys and the Kapoors, though purely geographical at the time, sparked curiosity, given the Kapoor family’s enormous stature in the film industry. In interviews, Vikrant has often expressed how the proximity to the Kapoors made an impression on him, not necessarily because of their celebrity status, but because he was able to see firsthand how ordinary people, including those in the film industry, had to start from humble beginnings. The Kapoor family, especially Raj Kapoor, one of the biggest filmmakers in the history of Indian cinema, was an influential figure in the Mumbai film scene. To think that Vikrant’s family, without knowing the impact that film would eventually have on their own lives, were neighbors to such a legendary family, adds a layer of serendipity to the actor’s story.

The young actor, in various interviews, has spoken about how this proximity to one of the most iconic Bollywood families never made him feel that the world of cinema was far removed from him. Instead, it made him realize that Mumbai, with its large population and diverse culture, was a city where dreams could be realized by anyone, regardless of their background. The family lived in close quarters to Bollywood’s most famous faces, but they never saw themselves as part of that world at the time. This, according to Vikrant, gave him a unique perspective on the industry when he eventually entered it years later. Vikrant’s disclosure about his family’s life in a godown is not just a testament to his own humble beginnings, but it also sheds light on the kind of hardships his parents endured before achieving any semblance of stability. The godown was a warehouse-type structure that was essentially used to store goods and materials. For the Massey family, it served as a roof over their heads when they first moved to Mumbai. As a child, Vikrant spent many years in this unglamorous setting, where he and his family adapted to difficult living conditions, characterized by limited space, fewer amenities, and a lack of the luxury that many associate with the city of Mumbai. Despite these challenges, Vikrant often spoke about how this environment taught him valuable lessons about resilience, perseverance, and the importance of staying grounded. For many who grow up in Mumbai, the godown or chawl (a type of residential building common in Mumbai’s working-class neighborhoods) is an everyday reality. The living conditions may not be ideal, but it’s where dreams are nurtured, and futures are built. In fact, the godown experience could be seen as a microcosm of Mumbai itself—an industrious, ever-evolving city where both struggles and success coexist side by side. Vikrant has often shared that his family never felt “poor” despite the lack of luxury. What mattered more was the love and support they had for each other. His parents instilled in him values of hard work and humility, something that remains a central part of his identity even as he has ascended to fame. The fact that Vikrant Massey, today a prominent actor, comes from such humble beginnings adds another layer to his authenticity. While Vikrant’s family lived in a godown, the Kapoor family was already entrenched in the glamour and grandeur of the film industry. The Kapoors, headed by the legendary Raj Kapoor, were and continue to be a family synonymous with Bollywood. From Raj Kapoor’s contributions to Indian cinema to his son Rishi Kapoor, and now his grandson Ranbir Kapoor, the Kapoor family has been a staple in the Hindi film industry for decades. Though Vikrant Massey was not personally close to the Kapoors, the fact that they lived in the same neighborhood.

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