“I hope people remember Mausam just like they remember Jab We Met” – Shahid

By Devansh Patel -

September 10, 2011 - 7:22 AM IST

Most writers, me included, tend to dislike the telephonic interviews. But in the case of Shahid Kapoor I can accommodate. Why? Well, because on all previous occasions I've interviewed the star in person. There was a time when Shahid Kapoor was anonymous. It strikes me, looking at him now, that he just can't wander unnoticed. His Twitter fan club goes insane the moment I tweet 'Attending the Mausam music success party tonight'. Questions pour back to back. When I reach the Marriott for the party, the paparazzi can't stop flashing. It goes to such an extent that the video teams standing behind the still photographers have to shout out loud for them to stop clicking. In short, there's a stampede wherever 'Sasha' is present. The most endearing thing about Shahid Kapoor - and there are many - is his refusal to accept how famous he's become. Sometimes, my colleague and I talk about Shahid's meticulous rise in Bollywood that has catapulted from relative obscurity outside of critics' circles to widespread fame, and won the hearts of more than a few starry-eyed young teenage girls to even some 50 plus mothers to be honest. To describe the love showered on Sasha by his fans, 'epic' is the apt word. But will the same word 'epic' be associated with his most ambitious film Mausam? Come on fans, show some chivalry! UK's Harrow Observer columnist and Bollywood Hungama's London correspondent brings you Shahid Kapoor at his candid best this 'mausam'!

“I hope people remember Mausam just like they remember Jab We Met” – Shahid

"For me, it was tough to play the initial younger days of my character in the film"

There is a misconception that I age in my film Mausam. The oldest I play in the movie is 30 years. I am 30 in real life, so I am ageing backwards! (laughs). It's good to play a man in a uniform, definitely and it's as challenging to play an eighteen year old at the same time. For me, it was tough to play the initial younger days of my character in the film.

"Mausam isn't a rom-com or yet another relationship movie. It's a definite larger than life love story spread across ten years"
The attempt is to really bring back the word 'epic' love story back with Mausam. I'm glad that the people are also thinking about it in the same way. Mausam isn't a rom-com or yet another relationship movie. It's a definite larger than life love story spread across ten years. It's a love story that talks about unconditional love and love in the purest form. I personally haven't seen a film like this since quite some time. If Mausam works to be an 'epic', I'll be the happiest person on the planet.

"The music has represented the soul of Mausam and it has evoked that feeling for romance"
I don't think that love stories work only in the overseas market. We all love 'love stories', don't we? (laughs). But yes, music has been and will be the strongest pull in the film to attract the initial audiences. The story is undoubtedly a never before heard nor seen on celluloid. The music has represented the soul of Mausam and it has evoked that feeling for romance. It's very heartening to know that people have liked the music of the film. Pritam has always done a great job and I think he is the most talented music director we have. There is no one better than Pritam when it comes to romantic tracks. This is probably his most soulful albums he has ever composed. The songs do represent Mausam in its lyrics, melody and mood. If people are associating with the music of Mausam, it means that people are associating with the vibe of Mausam.

"I hope people remember me and Mausam just like they remember Jab We Met"

Jab We Met is one of my favourite films and it is a film that's been liked a lot. Whenever people talk about my movies, and particularly love stories, Jab We Met is the first name that comes out. I guess they wouldn't say Kaminey because it's offensive (laughs). Yes, Imtiaz is a great filmmaker and he delivered the best out of me. My father has tried to do the same with Mausam and I hope people remember me and Mausam just like they remember Jab We Met. This movie will hopefully take me one step forward that's for sure.

"It's still easy to laugh and cry but more difficult to show the journey of the character"

Mausam has been the most challenging movie in my film career. I'm not being biased here, but just stating the fact. To play the graph spreading ten years is really difficult. You need to see the film to believe what I'm quoting. All I can say is that at face value the character starts off as a teenager from a small village in Punjab to becoming an Air Force officer to progressing to the love of his life that he's seen since a decade. I can't talk much about what happens then or else I'll ruin it even before the movie starts (laughs). It's still easy to laugh and cry but more difficult to show the journey of the character.

"'Sajh Dhaj Ke' and 'Mallo Malli' are two tracks that I love because I'm doing what I do best in it - dance"
There are two songs in the film where I get to do what I'm good at 'dance like crazy'. One is 'Sajh Dhaj Ke' and the other is 'Mallo Malli'. Because Mausam is an out and out commercial film in its own sensibilities, my father has incorporated these two songs where there was lots of dance and fun.

"I had a lot of fun working with Sonam and have taken a few fashion tips from her because she is a fashion junkie"
Sonam is a huge part of Mausam like any leading lady would be for a love story like this. A love story is incomplete without the leading lady when it comes to love stories, but more importantly it's incomplete without a memorable performance. Mausam is Sonam Kapoor's finest work till date. I had a lot of fun working with her and have taken a few fashion tips from her because she is a fashion junkie (laughs). We've become good friends today.

"Love can be a very strong and a beautiful emotion"
Loves gives you hope. It gives you belief in the fact that love can be a very strong and a beautiful emotion. Mausam reminds you that human beings cannot survive without love and connection. It also makes you understand that love doesn't come with a demand and supply.

"I don't see my father as a debutant director"
I don't see my father as a debutant director (laughs). He's spent more than thirty years in this industry as actor and director on television. But in Mausam, I never felt that I was working with a first time filmmaker. Yes, I have worked with many debutant directors, but this was a different and an uplifting experience of my life.

"I'm happy that I did Mausam and I'll be the happiest if it does well at the box office"

Eventually, a good film always stands out. In the past too, Lagaan and Gadar released on the same day. You had Welcome and Taare Zameen Par's release on the same day. There is an audience for all kinds of movies. Depending on how good your film is defines how well your film does at the box office. I'm happy that I did Mausam and I'll be the happiest if it does well at the box-office.