Did You Know? Shahid Kapoor Starved Himself to Perfect the Role of a Drug Addict in Udta Punjab

Udta Punjab (2016), directed by Abhishek Chaubey, offered an authentic portrayal of Punjab's drug crisis and remains one of Bollywood's most hard-hitting films. Shahid Kapoor’s role as the cocaine-addicted rockstar Tommy Singh stood out for its intensity and realism.

In a recent interview with Mashable India, Chaubey revealed the lengths to which Shahid Kapoor went to prepare for the challenging role. “Shahid had to put in a lot of energy because he doesn't drink, doesn't do drugs, he is a vegetarian, ekdum sant aadmi hai. I made him drink a lot of black coffee during the entire shoot,” Chaubey shared.

The director further explained that Shahid Kapoor, a strict vegetarian, adhered to a rigorous diet to physically embody the character. “Moreover, he hardly used to eat anything because I needed him to look like a drug addict. If you are playing a druggie like Tommy, you don’t have any interest in food, you would keep losing weight,” Chaubey added.

Kapoor’s dedication, combined with his disciplined approach, helped him deliver one of the most memorable performances of his career. Despite not smoking or drinking, he managed to channel the energy and appearance of a cocaine addict by consuming copious amounts of black coffee and reducing his food intake.

Udta Punjab, featuring Shahid Kapoor alongside Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor, and Diljit Dosanjh, became both a critical and commercial success. Made on a modest budget, the film emerged as one of the highest-grossing films of 2016, thanks to its gripping storyline and powerful performances.

The film remains a landmark in Hindi cinema for its unflinching portrayal of drug addiction and its impact on society, with Kapoor's Tommy Singh being a pivotal part of its success.