SHAHID AND SHRADDHA BRIGHTEN UP THE DAY
In a fun session with fans, the Batti Gul Meter Chalu actors answered a volley of questions, and danced to their song, Hard Hard
Boredom was ‘gul’ and fun was ‘chalu’ when the star cast of Batti Gul Meter Chalu (BGMC) — Shahid Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor — visited HT House to interact with the winners of the HT City Stars In The City contest.
During a freewheeling conversation with Sonal Kalra, Managing Editor — Entertainment, Hindustan Times, Shahid started talking about why he always looks forward to come to Delhi.
“Delhi is my home town; I lived here till I turned 10. So, coming back is always wonderful; so many memories remind you of everything. A lot of my extended family lives here, so it’s my home in a way,” said Shahid.
Shraddha, fresh from the success of her film, Stree, said she’s glad she took up a film like BGMC. “[These days] content is something people are connecting with. Batti… is my first film to do with a social issue — the problem of electricity. What better way to reach out to people than in an entertaining way?”
The quirky title of the film has been a topic of curiosity for many. What was the thought behind it? “Being from Delhi, this batti gul (electricity cuts) problem has been massive, and what people can relate to. The title came in after the script was ready, and the idea was to talk about the fundamental rights of a common man, and if electricity is accessible and affordable for someone living in a small town,” said Shahid, adding that it’s getting more and more expensive over time, so it is relatable. “I, too, had once gone to electricity department because the bill jumped to double! We wanted the title to reflect the tonality of the film,” he said.
The fans present were also asking Shahid constantly for an update on Zain (his newborn son) and daughter Misha. He had recently tweeted that he had to skip a few promotions because his kids weren’t keeping well. “I was feeling guilty that we’re a few days away from the release. You have your fan clubs; fans start getting paranoid (if you don’t promote your film), so I wanted to share that there was a good reason [for my absence] for three-four days. Family should always be a priority. Once you get married, and go through the journey, it becomes clearer. There’s no conflict in my mind. That’s how it has been with me, my children and family. They are above everything in life, because what they need from me, nobody else can provide. If I lose out on a movie, somebody else will do it.”
Shraddha, who danced with Shahid to Hard Hard, the song from BGMC, and was also gifted a pair of earrings from a die-hard fan, was happy they got to shoot the film in Tehri, a small town in Uttarakhand.
“I got very lucky. Stree was shot in Chanderi, which is a beautiful place, and I shot for Batti… in Tehri. These are two different parts of our country, and I am blessed that each film and story takes you to a new place. Tehri instantly became one of my favourite places; I didn’t want to go back home! Mom and dad would message me and I would tell them that, too. Plus, the air there was so fresh!” said Shraddha.
Compiled by Rishabh Suri