In contrast to reports, chocolate boy Shahid Kapoor spent his birth anniversary with his family members.

He was especially pleased with the presence of his loving mum with whom the actor shares a great emotional connection.

An elated Shahid said, "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."

On his mom's presence on his 29th birthday, he said, "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."

In his 29 years, the actor has only had a couple of birthday bashes.

"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 remembrance of a birthday dates back to when he was just 4 years old 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."

About hearsays of a link-up with hottie Deepika Padukone, Shahid said, "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."

Actor's closing ideas on his natal day: "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 thrilled about working in his father's project "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." (With Input from Agencies)