I am hungry to do different kinds of roles: Shahid Kapoor

Top Stories

I am hungry to do different kinds of roles: Shahid Kapoor

As Shahid Kapoor gears up for the release of Batti Gul Meter Chalu tomorrow, he candidly talks to us about the joys and challenges of fatherhood and his constant endeavour to become a better actor

By Arti Dani

  • Follow us on
  • google-news
  • whatsapp
  • telegram

Published: Wed 19 Sep 2018, 4:12 PM

Last updated: Mon 1 Oct 2018, 2:38 PM

 
AFTER MAKING A successful transition from a 'chocolate hero' to more serious roles with movies like Haider, Udta Punjab, Padmaavat etc in recent times, Shahid Kapoor will be seen with Shraddha Kapoor in Batti Gul Meter Chalu tomorrow. Apart from talking about this movie and his career, we also asked Shahid, who recently became a father for the second time with the birth of his son Zain, questions that are traditionally thrown at female actors who have become mothers. We are happy that he passed the test with flying colours!
 
How does it feel to be a father for  the second time? 
I am very happy. My family feels complete now. It is difficult to explain how happy we (Mira and I) both are. We are very peaceful, full of joy and overall only good vibes surround us.
 
How do you plan to juggle movies and family since you come across as a very hands-on father?
I have to work since I love my work. So, work will continue in the same way. I will have to manage my time better and I guess I will have less time for myself. I will have to push myself harder to balance work and family. But I think I will figure it out. Because the first couple of years with Misha (his daughter) have gone decently well and whenever I feel that I need to prioritise something, I do it. If I feel that I am needed at home then I make sure that I am at home, come what may. Mira is very helpful and she understands the nature of my job and it helps to have a partner who is very accommodative. 
 
How do you sound so full of energy? You just had a new baby! Aren't you having sleepless nights while taking care of the newborn?
I am not energised at all! In fact, I am very tired. I am having a lot of coffee and doing my job. All I can do right now is wait for the movie to release so I can pass  out for a couple of days to get all my sleep back. I am quite tired as the new baby and promotion of this film have taken a toll on me. But I have stayed true to the nature of my job, so work will continue. 
 
Do you think you have become calmer after fatherhood?
I don't know if calm is the word but I have learned to view things without getting consumed by them or overreacting to things. I have learned to accept things the way they are. 
 
What inspired you to sign Batti Gul Meter Chalu? 
The issue that the film talks about is very relevant and that's the most important reason why I am doing the movie. Electricity is a fundamental human right and a common man is finding it more and more difficult to afford it. In fact, there are many towns which don't have electricity. Big cities are using so much of electricity that there is hardly any left for small towns. It's important for those living in big cities to understand what they use and abuse so conveniently is something that is so important for a large number of people who don't even get it. So, yeah, we are addressing all these things in the film. Obviously, the issue that we are dealing more directly with is privatisation of electricity, which is becoming more expensive and it is difficult for the common man to afford it. 
    When I heard the script, I understood that since I live in Mumbai which is a big city, I don't face this problem. But the story really moved me and I wanted to share this story with everyone by participating in this film. 
 
You have been smashing the box office by giving back-to-back fabulous performances in movies like Udta Punjab, Haider, Padmaavat etc. How does your instinct work in picking up strong scripts from the weak ones or do you just go with strong directors?
I feel that if one truly follows what they really want to do, then they make an impact. I have worked very hard. It's been a long process and a very demanding journey of wanting to participate in different types of films and being able to break out of any image and category that anyone wants to put me into. Also, proving to filmmakers that I can do different types of characters and that I am hungry to do different kinds of roles and to get an opportunity, regardless of whether I look like the part or not. It was a desire to understand the process of becoming someone else, effortlessly or with my acting prowess. I desired that. I pushed really hard to do justice to the films that provided me with those opportunities. I get different types of roles which is why there are varieties of characters that have been there in my last few films.
 
Which was the toughest character to crack in your filmography?
It is difficult to name one because all of them have been demanding and challenging in their own way. What is more difficult is to keep finding visual and a new persona and a different look for a new film. There are only so many things that you can do with your face or your body, you need to get more and more refined in the skills of learning to reinvent. It is very demanding and sometimes scary because you run out of options.
 
You become the character in the films that you do. Does it ever happen that the character stays with you even after the movie long gets over or do you disconnect easily?
While you are shooting the film or preparing for the role, the character does reflect in your everyday life but not after that. I need to move on soon after a movie gets over. That's the reason I am doing different roles because as soon as I get bored, I move on. 
 
Can you share either your main professional or personal challenges that have greatly influenced your career?
On the professional level -the transition from being known as a chocolate hero to doing strong character-based roles and making the possibility happen that I get roles which are not repetitive and at the same time, very challenging. On a personal level, learning to become comfortable with having so much attention on you is something that I have learned to adapt to, since it is not my inherent nature. I guess moving through the beats of my career while continuing focusing on being the best version of myself is very important to me. Being a family man is also a journey that I am proud of. It has been a long journey and I have learned a lot along the way.
 
What is your forthcoming project?
After this, I will work on the remake of a Telegu film called Arjun Reddy. And I will be doing a biopic on a gold medallist Indian boxer. 
 
 
arti@khaleejtimes.com


More news from