Shahid Kapoor is not bothered or scared about overexposure

It’s his passion for the craft of acting that makes Shahid Kapoor push himself as a performer, but he is also aware that taking too many risks is “illogical”.

“I want to grow and reach out to a wider audience. I want to tell stories that are new, different and exciting without having to sacrifice on any creative cravings that the team might have. It is a tough combination,” says the actor, adding, “[But at the same time] it is illogical to keep taking risks and doing different things. [However,] there is [surely] a need to rediscover yourself. Today, the audience wants different things.”

Shahid, who was last seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat, shares that the continuous media glare and scrutiny does not bother or scare him. “These days you get noticed a lot, it has all changed. I think that the kids, who are starting out and who are new should worry about it. I don’t get scared by overexposure; I have been here since 15 years.”

The actor and his wife, Mira Rajput, recently welcomed their second child, a son, Zain Kapoor. Their daughter, Misha Kapoor, is one of the most photographed star kids, and Shahid says that he is aware of the pros and cons of the paparazzi culture.

“If I don’t post pictures of Misha, somebody [else] will click [take a picture of] her, and that is my reality. I wish that I could draw a line... [Then] I would have drawn it long back. Children, when they are in their natural space, should not be made [to feel] so conscious. It [getting clicked/being surrounded by paparazzi] is part of my job...I am doing my best to find comfort with it.”

Shahid is looking forward to the release of Batti Gul Meter Chalu and will soon start working on the Hindi remake of Arjun Reddy, as well as a film with Raja Krishna Menon.