Mumbai, Feb 26 (IANS) Contrary to reports, Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor spent his 29th birthday with his family. He was especially delighted with the presence of his mother with whom he has 'a great emotional connect'.

Referring to all the plans that had been reported for his birthday Thursday, Shahid says: 'Everyone made plans that I didn't know about. It was quite annoying. Even my guest list was prepared.

'But no, the truth was there were no plans beyond the family.'

About his mother's presence on this birthday, he says: 'Me and my mom used to live together. Now we live separately. But we have a great emotional connect. So 'aal izz well' on that front.

'My brother Ishaan stays with my mom and we're always hanging out together. In fact, I was at his annual day hours before my birthday. I feel I'm terrible to my family and friends because I don't give them enough time.'

During his 29 years, Shahid has only had a couple of birthday parties. 'I had a party for my last birthday and it drove me nuts. If friends take over and have a party for me only then will I be part of it in future.'

His earliest memory of a birthday goes back to when he was four in Delhi. 'It was in a two-bedroom apartment. As a child, I'd embarrass my mom at my birthdays by snatching the gift from the guest, opening it and expressing my pleasure or displeasure about the gift. They were very regular, typical middle-class birthdays.'

Regarding rumours of a link-up with actress Deepika Padukone, Shahid says: 'I've met her a few times. I first met her at an awards function and then we bumped into one another at a couple of parties. She seems like a nice person.

'Of course, it's very embarrassing, not so much for me as for the lady. When there's someone in my life I'll announce it properly. At the moment I'm scared to even meet a girl for fear of being linked up. But I won't stop living my life the way I want to just because I fear being wrongly linked.'

Shahid's closing thoughts on his birthday: 'This is going to be a year of learning for me. In the last couple of years, I've been going on the sets and trying to behave as if I know my job.'

He is also excited about acting in his father Pankaj Kapoor's film 'Mausam'.

'Now this year I'm going to be a student to my father as he makes his film. I want to go on the set with an attitude of learning. I want to come out a better human being and an actor. And I know I will because there's no better teacher than my father.'