Shahzad Sheikh lauds his mother for making sure he bonded with father Javed Sheikh despite divorce

Actor reflected on his childhood in a broken home in candid interview

Renowned Pakistani actor Shahzad Sheikh, celebrated for his performances in drama serials like Mi Raqsam and Tere Bina Main Nahi and films like Karachi Se Lahore, recently opened up about his family’s journey after the parents’ divorce. Son of the veteran actor and filmmaker Javed Sheikh, Shahzad's upbringing was marked by the challenges of his father’s separation from his mother, Zeenat Mangi.

Appearing as a guest on actor, comedian and musician Ahmad Ali Butt’s podcast, Shahzad underlined the importance of including children in conversations concerning the family’s future. The actor emphasised the pivotal role played by his mother in ensuring that he and his sister, Momal Sheikh, maintained a connection with their father.

“Credit goes to my mother who never thought that she would not allow the kids to meet their father,” the 39-year-old remarked, reflecting on his childhood experiences. “Every summer holidays, she would send us to Lahore where we would spend two months with our father and cousins. This way, we were able to bond with him.”

The actor candidly acknowledged the complexities of their family dynamics, acknowledging the regret visible in both his parents' eyes regarding their past decisions. "I see it in my mom’s eyes, I see it in my father’s eyes that their decision wasn’t right. I think if you see the regret in someone’s eyes, there’s little you can do about it," he shared.

Despite the lingering echoes of past disagreements, Shahzad revealed that his parents are on amicable terms and live under the same roof. He said, “We live in the same house. Baba lives in the lower portion. We live in the upper portion.” 

“As for the fights and arguments, they are everyday happenings," he added with a laugh, hinting at the usual tensions of any household.

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