Shahid Kapoor has donned many hats since the time he made his debut in the early 2000s. After a few flops, many hits and a fair share of laudable performances, ahead of his big release Rangoon, the actor indulges in a quick chat about his journey so far, his biggest critics, making the best of one’s jealousy and much more. Excerpts from and interview.
Some of your best collaborations — work wise — have been with Vishal Bhardwaj. What about your chemistry makes it click every time?
Doing a film with Vishal sir means participating in a whole new world that is his creation. The audience looks forward to his films. When we come together, we’re able to create a strong impact. As a filmmaker, Vishal sir always looks to put you in a new space as an actor. I don’t think that there will be a time when I will not do a Vishal Baradwaj film. This time around too, Nawab Malik (Rangoon) is a great character — the likes of which I haven’t played before.
How was the experience of shooting Rangoon in the state of Arunachal Pradesh?
It’s raw, it’s beautiful, it’s largely untouched, it’s away from the cities and it’s fresh. The shooting part was taxing of course, because we were shooting right in the middle of the forest. But it was awesome to experience the side of India, which is so different.
How do you look at your contemporaries doing so well for themselves? Do you get insecure or jealous at times?
When you enter a theatre, and you see a great performance, it gives you the energy to do your best. You need to draw inspiration from someone. That inspiration can come from anywhere — even jealousy. We all are jealous from the inside and that streak of jealousy can inspire too. If you look at it positively, it’s a great thing.
Which was the last film that made you feel really jealous?
I would’ve loved to play Geeta or Babita’s character from Dangal. I could relate to the first fight that Geeta had with the boys in the film. I was in Delhi before I moved to Mumbai. I was a popular kid back in Delhi, but in Mumbai, I was an outsider.
The kids in my class would pick fights with me and I would fight them back — physically, emotionally, verbally — it was a different fight every day. Those memories came rushing back to me when I saw Geeta fighting. I’ve been a fighter all my life.
Were you hurt when you didn’t get National award for Haider?
You do feel a little pinch. But you can’t focus on that. I think I got a lot of love for Haider. There was a time when the process of becoming a star was about popularity but I think today it’s about credibility; about gaining the audience’s trust.
It’s about making them feel that you are trying to do some good job and give them a new experience. Both Haider and Udta Punjab are films that helped me create that journey. Actors talk to audiences through their films. So I’d say that yes, it did pinch me a little that I didn’t get the National Award, but that’s that. The films gave me a lot more.
Given how the audience-actor relationship is evolving, do you think the craze around stardom will reduce?
I don’t think stardom will fade away. I’m probably saying that because I am a star and I don’t want to believe it will fade away. I feel it’s important to have a star in different spaces. It’s a nice feeling.
Who would you say, is your biggest critic?
I have a few. My dad is one, but he is very limited with his words though. My wife is a great critic of mine and so are my siblings but I think I am my biggest critic. I loved my work in Haider and Udta Punjab though and now I’m having a great time shooting for Padmavati.
Is it true that you are gaining weight for Padmavati?
I am not growing fat or anything, I am just getting a little muscular because I think kings of that era used to have that personality. I am gaining muscles, not fat. It is very difficult to gain muscles, but I am at it, following a strict diet and everything. Right now I am chilling because I am busy with film promotions.
