‘I do have intense emotions’

Manpriya Singh 

There is so much going on in Shahid Kapoor’s life. As if little Misha and baby Zain weren’t enough, there are reports of him, along with wifey, turning an entrepreneur with a yoga venture. Then, of course, there is the coming Friday, wherein the stakes are high for him. But then they always are with any titular role, this time it happens to be Kabir Singh, a remake of the hit Telugu film Arjun Reddy. 

“Yes, that’s true when you are the face of any film. All the positives are attributed to you and so are the negatives, but I’ve been in the industry long enough to understand that now and that’s true for any film,” Shahid, while flanked by co-star Kiara Advani, during a promotional halt in Chandigarh agrees it’s a high-risk high-return proposition but then that goes with the turf called Bollywood.  

An industry where a few things he is clearly done and dusted with, for instance controversies, link-ups with co-stars and the lover boy image. Which by the way was not easy to shake off. Anyone, who has seen the wide-eyed teenager from the music video Ankhon Main Tera Hi Chehra, will understand what we are talking about. “But then I did Kaminey, Haider and Udta Punjab, where I played Tommy, a dark character, and then this film where I got to play both, a lover boy and also intense character, who goes through an emotionally debilitating heartbreak.” 

Personally speaking, we’ve all been there right, so how much could he relate to the character and is that how we would express himself? “I do have intense emotions and it’s a good thing to feel strongly about things but the only thing is one much learn to channelise those emotions.” 

Bollywood is changing, finally 

As he says, “Nobody wants to see run of the mill love stories. It’s a generation that is instant. So much so they wear their emotions on their sleeves and if it’s not 

a good day, that’s the 

first thing they’ll put on Instagram.” 

Which is why it makes sense to be content oriented and choose scripts accordingly. If it’s a story that moves him, he is on. But what about the banner and the director? “For that matter even co-stars don’t matter. These things help you only to the extent of first day, the Friday. After that, everything is so instant with reviews and word of mouth that only good content will save you.” 

As a case in point, he goes on to cite the latest box office report card. 

Being Pankaj Kapur’s son 

Perhaps, he is looking for the word ‘intimidating’, but he chooses to go with ‘inspiring’ instead. “The level where he is, it’s just impossible to match up. But, I am fortunate to be his son.” 

Any character played by Shahid that earned father Pankaj Kapur’s approval? “He really liked me in Padmaavat, Udta Punjab and Haider.”  Which is why partly the endeavour is always to do films that have something to offer, that shake you up, as he adds, “When you see a part of your feelings being depicted on screen you feel lighter.” 

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Diljit, are you there? 

I did a Hindi film with Diljit, now you ask him to do a Punjabi film with me. I believe his Punjabi film is coming soon. Though in my opinion, Udta Punjab was a Punjabi film only, since there was hardly any Hindi dialogue in there. As for talking in Punjabi, I do a little bit of cheating and manage faking it, but I am not as fluent as I appear. 

Lake & the street food  

While Kiara has pretty much stayed put in the city for the past two months, courtesy her film, Good News, opposite Diljit Dosanjh.  “I love street food too.” As for speaking in Punjabi, she says, “I picked up, being with Akshay Kumar and Diljit Dosanjh on the sets. Diljit’s entire crew speaks in Punjabi.” 

Chandigarh, you are beautiful

He doesn’t really mention any place but  swears by the street food here and there is definitely a mention of the chhole bhature. “I have been to this city so so many times. I especially love the street food. It’s a region I have a strong connect with. My dad is from Ludhiana. My spiritual leanings are here. So, from Amritsar to Beas is always the road trip. My wife’s parents stay in the Dera.”