‘YOU HAVE TO GET BETTER AT DEALING WITH IT’

Though he knows it’s all in the game, Shahid Kapoor does find the clamour of celebrity tiring at times

One of the hottest stars in Bollywood and one of the industry’s most admired actors, Shahid Kapoor has always been in a league of his own. In the limelight of late for his new dad status and the release of a gritty movie, Shahid Kapoor tells us that fame has become more intrusive now than ever before.

He says, “Pehle stars ‘stars’ hote the. Pehle stars ko sab service karte the. Ab stars sabko service karte hai. It has become the opposite. There was a time when people would request for a photograph. Now people expect a selfie. So how has it got better? I feel it has become only more and more intrusive.”

He knows, though, that this is all in the game. “It is actors’ responsibility to push themselves as much as they can — to try and be there, whenever there is someone who appreciates your work. I don’t like the word ‘fan.’”

At the same time, he feels it’s also the responsibility of fans and admirers to understand where to draw the line. “That’s the only way it can work. At times, you do feel it is intrusive, because it is. But you have to learn to become better at dealing with it. You’re in a coveted place, so you have to go out of your way,” says Shahid.

Does he ever lose his temper? “Everybody does at some point,” he confesses. “I think more than temper, it’s just tiring. But that’s part of our job. It’s a courtesy I must extend. [Being a star is] one of the most demanding jobs.”

Would he aspire to more and give Hollywood a try, now that so many Indian stars have carved out a niche for themselves in the West? Shahid says, “I just want to do good films. I am open to different opportunities.”

His aim is not so much to conquer territories as to make a difference through his films. The Udta Punjab actor says, “I believe that when you feel about something very strongly, it has the power to change people’s opinion – and that is what cinema is about.”