“My dad’s problem was my problem, on or off the sets” – Shahid Kapoor: Part 2

By Devansh Patel -

April 9, 2011 - 12:18 PM IST

Shahid's looks may be remarkable, but his brain is astounding. Talking to him is extraordinary. He seems to have a unique way of processing the world around him. Although the 30 year-old has worked consistently for the past eight years, he made his name with two performances which showcased his remarkable physical versatility and skill as an actor, the commercially successful Jab We Met and the critically acclaimed Kaminey. So when I sit with Shahid at an arm's length and see him talk, you can easily make out the actor's rebellious journey so far...and boy it has paid off! 'Boring' is not the word Shahid would use for his formative years in acting. The actor is sitting on his sofa and yet seems tall, tall in confidence. He's eight years sober now and loves it, growing his self-esteem and enjoying life. Doing things he's never done before, and by saying that I refer to his most ambitious film till date, Mausam. As he sips his Barista coffee specially ordered for him, he makes no apologies for serving me his home made black coffee. He is far too busy talking incessantly, articulately about his love-hate relationship with his work. 'I love what I do and I am doing exactly that. Mausam is my love,' he says. Post Kaminey, Shahid has proved himself to be something unique: not a handsome young Indian actor, but a chameleon with much more to him than meets the eye and off late, in every aspect of his life - most notably his work - Shahid seems to be hell-bent on bettering himself. So again I ask the questions - Will Mausam be the best rather than better? Will Shahid better his best till date (Kaminey)? UK's Harrow Observer columnist and Bollywood Hungama's London correspondent brings you Part 2 of this exclusive chat with Shahid Kapoor on his relationship with his father, director and mentor Pankaj Kapoor, his Scottish kilt, his Twitter and Facebook status and his strong belief that love is all about issues, insecurities and lack of trust....and we still love Shahid, don't we? Here's to love, life, Mausam and more.

"I was a little nervous the first time around while facing dad"

My father is somebody who is very open to conversations and I think I was a little nervous the first time around while facing him. But we cracked it instantly. He knew that I wasn't stepping on the sets as an actor but as his son too and it was my film as much as it is his. We developed a great working relationship. I really depend on him a lot when it comes to acting. The most beautiful thing about doing this film with my father is that I can just trust him.

"We were in Scotland for almost two months and I did wear that famous Scottish kilt"

I was shooting in Scotland when I decided to take a three day break to visit London. But I kept it quiet as I wanted to spend sometime not discussing the film or talking to the Press. So I decided to go to Wimbledon and watch Murray sweat it out with Nadal in the Quarter Finals. London is a great city and I love it. We were in Scotland for almost two months and I did wear that famous Scottish kilt.

“My dad’s problem was my problem, on or off the sets” – Shahid Kapoor: Part 2

"I am off Facebook. But I'm not off Twitter"

I am very moody. So as of now, I am off Facebook. But I'm not off Twitter. Whenever I feel the need to tweet, I do it. If I am in a headspace I talk about it but not otherwise. It's a thin line because you also want to keep a lot of things private. Things which I am comfortable talking about, I post it on Twitter but I don't feel the urge to tweet every day.

"We are imperfect. We have issues, we lack trust sometimes, and we have our insecurities"

There was a time when issues cropped up in love due to external factors. Parents, religion, etc. Now, the issue of love lies within us. Love stories are being made forever, since the time films were being made. The more relevant love stories are the ones which talk about problems coming from the people who are in that relationship. We are imperfect. We have issues, we lack trust sometimes and we have our insecurities. And these are the things that cause issues in any love story in today's times, especially if you are making a contemporary love story. That's how I look at it but anyone is entitled to their take in 'love'.

"My dad's problem was my problem, on or off the sets"

Any problem which my dad had on set was my problem. I was always available to him as and when he felt the need for me to participate in something. I wasn't just an actor on the sets, I was his son too. And I am his son first and then an actor.

Watch this space for Part 1 of interview with Shahid Kapoor