It’s Not That I Hate Critics: Shahid Kapoor (Interview)

‘I just don’t want to be one’, says actor Shahid Kapoor, who pulls the strings and keeps himself from flying off. As for Vidya Balan and Sania Mirza, he’s either spoilt for choice or left with no choice but would rather hope and pray that that’s not the case.

Is your studied reticence an aberration, or a cornerstone of your acting style?

Motion pictures have long been a safe haven for men of few words. Less often pays more. And honestly, I feel it’s relevant to talk only when a film’s nearing release.

Talking about your latest release, Kismat Konnection , critics have been unsparing in their criticism while training their guns at the thanda connection between you and Vidya Balan.

Sometimes you read a glowing review of a mediocre film from an unknown critic and question what motivates these reviewers to be so off target? Conversely, many critics attempt to skewer a film that eventually becomes an established classic. Everybody was expecting a Jab We Met. One has to realise that this film isn’t about two characters. It is driven instead by the protagonist. Kismat Konnection has to do with my connection with destiny.

How much of a kismet guy are you?

I rely on divine intervention quite a bit. Waqt se pehle aur kismet se zyada kuch nahi milta .

So the not-too encouraging reviews haven’t rankled you?

A critic’s job is never easy. It’s not that I hate them. I just don’t want to be one. We might lament how cruel they can be and even imagine how mere mortals with nothing superhuman about them — except perhaps their egos — must feel. But let’s not forget that films which have not gone down well with their hyperbole have scored generously with the audience. Panned by critics, Vivaah ran for 48 weeks!

Every Shahid film now ends up being compared to Jab We Met. Isn’t that tiring?

On the contrary, I am happy people still recall JWM fondly. Imtiaz was going around with the script for quite sometime and many cautioned me against signing up. I hope people still remember JWM two decades hence.

You claim that you are like any other normal 27-year-old. But when the face of this 27-year-old is splashed all over the rags, can you still claim to lead a normal life?

(Laughs) Easier said than done. It might be inconceivable, professionally but I still pull the strings and keep myself from flying off in my personal space, more so, when I’m with my family and friends.

What with the alleged rumours of your link-ups with Vidya Balan and Sania Mirza, you’re either spoilt for choice or left with no choice…

(Laughs) I hope and pray that isn’t the case.

Dad Pankaj Kapur is going to be directing you. Is that a further strain in living up to his expectations?

The film is still in its scripting stage. I’ll get to learn and work under him. It is too exciting a prospect to think of much else.

What’s up next?

There is a Ken Ghosh film which is a musical, Vishal Bhardwaj’s Kaminay and a Yash Raj project.

Will musicals fare topmost in your to-do list considering that you are a great dancer?

Dance is a huge plus and I will capitalise on it. But since nobody loves like they do in the movies, I plan on doing some more rom-coms and mush-fests. As an actor you gotta savour everything.

Is that why kids relish you?

(Laughs) Kids say it like it is. I’ll try my best to do at least one film a year that works on their palate.

Will that mean giving voice to animation?

No one has approached me as yet.

SOURCE: Timesofindia