‘ACTING IS A VERY UNSTABLE PROFESSION’

Says Shahid Kapoor, as he feels it has “many highs and lows”; adds he’s “lucky” to work with film-makers like Vishal Bhardwaj and Sanjay Leela Bhansali

He is working with two of Bollywood’s top filmmakers, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Vishal Bhardwaj, in quick succession, but Shahid Kapoor feels receiving such opportunities is not “just about having skill and ability”. As the actor immerses himself into his role for Bhansali’s next, he talks about acting, his daughter Misha Kapoor, and his career.

Do you consider yourself lucky to be working with two accomplished directors — Vishal Bhardwaj and Sanjay Leela Bhansali — in succession?

Absolutely! To work with Vishal sir and then with Sanjay sir is a fortunate place to be in (smiles). It can’t be just about skill and ability; somewhere, it has to be about luck as well.

How has working with Bhardwaj helped you evolve?

With him, you never know what to expect, so you have to learn to expect the unexpected. That is what I have learnt from Vishal sir. That’s always a good thing, because you can never be ready enough. He will always throw something new at you, which is great.

What kind of an equation do you share with Bhardwaj?

It keeps changing. With Kaminey (2009), it was professional. During Haider (2014), we worked closely, because we did the film for almost no fee and with a certain sense of passion. With Rangoon, it was a little more professional, because there were a lot of artistes working with us and it wasn’t just me or him every day. The movie was made at a huge scale, so he was focusing on a lot of things. So, at times, I used to hang around, but I felt neglected as well (smiles). But you get used to that, as filmmakers’ considerations change with different films.

Is it a challenge to live up to such film-makers’ expectations?

It depends on how you look at it. I look at it as a fact that I will get to work under their direction and learn from them. They will make me look and be better than I am. They will help me find things within me that I can’t see. They will show me to the world in a way that I can’t imagine. And it’s a great place to be in. I am ready for whatever it takes to do all of that. Maybe, three or four years ago, I wasn’t equipped to do that, but today, I feel I am ready for the challenge. I may still fail, but I’m ready to take it up.

With him, you never know what to expect, so you have to learn to expect the unexpected. That is what I have learnt from Vishal sir. SHAHID KAPOOR, ACTOR

Do you sometimes miss the freedom you lost after becoming a star?

Honestly, before I started acting, if somebody had told me about the amount of freedom and normalcy I would lose, I wouldn’t have taken up this profession. For me, to walk on the road and feel a sense of not being watched, the sense of freedom and being on your own is huge. When I entered the industry, it was only because of the passion of being an actor, being on camera, etc. All those things draw you so strongly to this field that you don’t focus on a lot of other things that could be important, and those could be huge sacrifices to make. So, people should have that perspective. If Misha (daughter) ever wants to become an actor, I would be worried.

How different is it to work with Vishal Bhardwaj and Sanjay Leela Bhansali?

I never compare film-makers. I have no set expectations when I go on set. My attitude is very simple; I am ready to do whatever is required of me. Different film-makers will have different requirements. I will try my best to give them what they require and even 10% more. I hope that when film-makers say pack up, they are happy with whatever I have done in front of the camera. That’s the essential journey, and I am happy to do that.

Your next film, Rangoon, is a multi-starrer and so is Bhansali’s next…

I am happy that Padmavati worked out the way it has, despite a lot of stuff that was being written. The film is being made with the best cast. I hope we can all come together to give audiences a fantastic cinematic experience because, ultimately, that’s what audiences want. I have heard a lot of people say, ‘It’s difficult to make multistarrers nowadays’. But if there is a film-maker who justifies making a multistarrer, I think Sanjay sir is that person. He always makes a magnum opus. It’s a good place to be in and I feel lucky to be a part of this film.