Í AM NOT AFRAID TO TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT’
Shahid Kapoor says the current phase of his career is a very ‘significant one’ because it will define his journey as an actor in Bollywood
In his 15-year-long career, he has seen some shades of great success alongside the lows. Shahid Kapoor has had a tryst with characters and films of various kinds. But the the glint of excitement in his eyes is unmissable when he talks about his craft and hunger as an actor. “If you ask me, right now, I am very curious to see how people respond to Batti Gul Meter Chalu (BGMC),” says Shahid about the Shree Narayan Singh-directed film that revolves around the issue of electricity theft in rural India. Herein, he opens up about life, career, his family and more.
This is your 15th year in the industry. Are you now comfortable with the craft?
Let me put it this way: I am not afraid to try something different but having said that, there is a lot of anxiety and nervousness in attempting a new role. You always think, ‘jo pichli baar dekha tha, woh toh accha lag gaya lekin agar yeh nahi accha laga toh phir?’ or ‘yeh main nahi kar paaya toh?’. So, that fear is always there but you also know that since I have done this [taking on fresh parts] a few times, I should know the drill but that comes with time. The more you attempt different things, the more you feel like you can back yourself. I just focus on the process and, more importantly, if I get excited by something, then I just go out there and do it.
As an actor, do you think this phase is very important in your career?
I think every actor, who has worked for 10-12 years, has to go through this phase. This period is a very significant one because it kind of defines your longer journey. In the first 8-10 years, there is a certain fresh energy that you come with but after 10-12 years of work, audiences’ mindset towards an actor as well as expectations change. Also, you need to find the drive that will keep you going for 25-30 years. And if you want to last that long, you have to realign your thoughts and restructure the direction in which you are heading. You have to have a wider perspective towards things. I have been doing this for 15 years and the only thing that I focus on is growth – both creatively as well as commercially.
Do you feel great about being part of films such as BGMC that talk about real issues?
I think in that sense, I have been very lucky. I have been part of two such films in the past. Haider (2014) was about the human rights issue in areas which are under distress, while Udta Punjab (2016) dealt with the drug problem. Since those issues were slightly dark, the two films had a slightly limited range in terms of the number of audiences wanting to go and watch it. But BGMC is a lot more accessible. Also, with Shree Narayan [Singh] sir, the biggest advantage is that he makes very personal films. The same holds true for Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (2017), which was a love story. So, even if the issue is universal, the narrative is personal and that’s very essential for a film to be able to connect with people.
Now, when you look back, was Padmaavat more challenging or BGMC?
I don’t think we can compare the two films because the journeys have been very different. So, I don’t know. I can’t say which one was tougher. Both have been individually satisfying in their own way.
You have bought a house worth ₹56 crore in Worli. True?
Even I have heard that price (laughs). It’s true that I have looked at a new house and most probably, I will shift in by the end of next year. I need a bigger house now as my current place has just two bedrooms and very soon, Mira and I will have two kids, so I need to move in to a bigger house.