The time when nobody offered ‘chocolate boy’ Shahid Kapoor versatile scripts

He may have proved his mettle as an actor with films such as Kaminey (2009), Haider (2014), and Padmaavat, but Shahid Kapoor says initially it was not easy for him to score versatile characters.

The 37-year-old actor, who made his Bollywood debut with college romance Ishq Vishk (2003), says that it was tough for him to break out of the “chocolate boy” image.

“I have always tried to get good and versatile roles. I wanted to show my versatility. But nobody used to offer me such scripts. They used to think that I am only suitable for chocolate boy and college student roles. There were no other options,” Shahid says.

The actor explains that it was sheer hard work and perseverance that helped him in convincing the filmmakers that he has much more to offer than just being a lover boy.

“It’s been 15 years since I have been working in the industry. And after much hard work, now I am being offered diverse roles. It’s been a long journey and I have made a lot of effort. Today, I feel very fortunate that people also think of me as an actor who plays a variety of characters,” he says.

Shahid’s recent release, Batti Gul Meter Chalu, is another addition to his diverse filmography. The actor says his character in the new feature was unlike others he has played on the silver screen.

“It is diametrically opposite to what I played in Padmaavat. Sushil Kumar Pant, my character in Batti Gul..., has verbal diarrhoea. He is completely immoral and has no values,” he explains.

“There are many such issues that people face in those areas and we have addressed these in the film,” Shahid adds.

Directed by Shree Narayan Singh (director of Toilet: Ek Prem Katha; 2017), the film is set in Uttarakhand’s Tehri Garhwal district, and narrates the story of electricity theft in rural India. It also stars actors Shraddha Kapoor, Divyendu Sharmaa, and Yami Gautam.

Nobody used to offer me versatile scripts [in my initial days as an actor]. They used to think that I am only suitable for chocolate boy and college student roles.

SHAHID KAPOOR ACTOR

PHOTO: PRAMOD THAKUR/HT