Posted:
After making the cumbersome journey to
its release, did the protests over
'Padmaavat' kill the joy of watching it?
We are overjoyed that despite a huge
handicap, 'Padmaavat' has made the
numbers that it has. For us, the positive
word of mouth was essential [for the film's
success].
Why did you decide to do this role when
you knew yours was not an author-
backed one?
I agreed to do it even before hearing the
script. It wasn't about the character I was
playing. I did it because Sanjay Leela
Bhansali said he can't do this film without
me. He couldn't helm the movie on such a
big scale if an actor of my calibre wasn't on
board. Doing a film in which the parallel
characters are author-backed is like an
enticing roller coaster ride. I didn't mind it
because I am a secure actor today. I had
recently wrapped up 'Udta Punjab' (2015)
and 'Haider' (2014). So, I was confident.
Also read - Shahid Kapoor on Padmaavat
row: We had to be politically correct
Did you feel envious?
I am not jealous. I had to focus on my role.
If I was bothered [with the attention given
to other characters], my energy would have
dissipated. There are many who, despite
having the best roles, are insecure. No one
put a gun to my head. If I am doing the film,
I will with dignity. You don't become
stronger when things are served to you on
a platter. You have to earn the tag.
It appears the success of your professional
gambles has given you this confidence.
I was not this secure four years ago. But
now, I do it [offbeat roles] to keep boredom
at bay. I am not a newcomer who is merely
excited about being in the industry. Of
course, the movies is my magical space, but
being part of Bollywood is not a driving
force. Something [film] needs to sweep me
off my feet to convince me to do it. In Udta
Punjab, I got the drive from the fact that my
character had to be high [under the
influence] to the point of being abusive. I've
never been high. That kept me on the edge.
In 'Haider', it was the monologue I had to
deliver. In 'Padmaavat', it was the sheer fact
that I found myself scouting for my lines
while reading the script. I had a line or two,
here and there. But there's a kick in being
able to pull that off.
Playing safe doesn't guarantee success
anymore. Does it?
Nothing succeeds like success. Success and
quality aren't the same. Actors must chase
quality, the by-product of which is success. I
want to be that actor whose repertoire has
a plethora of roles to show, not a couple of
stray performances.
Did the debacle of 'Rangoon' bother you?
Vishal sir [Bhardwaj, 'Rangoon' director]
and I make a great pair, but we didn't make
a great film. A lot of things went wrong
with 'Rangoon'. It was made on a large
budget, but failed to connect with the
audience. He is a great filmmaker, one who
helped me redefine myself and search for
[good] characters. It's not easy for a
filmmaker to hear criticism. It's like
commenting on his/her baby. It's better to
have that conversation a few years later,
when they're able to see the faults.
https://m.mid-day.com/articles/shahid-kapoor-did-padmaavat-because-i-am-a-secure-actor-today/19011174.
its release, did the protests over
'Padmaavat' kill the joy of watching it?
We are overjoyed that despite a huge
handicap, 'Padmaavat' has made the
numbers that it has. For us, the positive
word of mouth was essential [for the film's
success].
Why did you decide to do this role when
you knew yours was not an author-
backed one?
I agreed to do it even before hearing the
script. It wasn't about the character I was
playing. I did it because Sanjay Leela
Bhansali said he can't do this film without
me. He couldn't helm the movie on such a
big scale if an actor of my calibre wasn't on
board. Doing a film in which the parallel
characters are author-backed is like an
enticing roller coaster ride. I didn't mind it
because I am a secure actor today. I had
recently wrapped up 'Udta Punjab' (2015)
and 'Haider' (2014). So, I was confident.
Also read - Shahid Kapoor on Padmaavat
row: We had to be politically correct
Did you feel envious?
I am not jealous. I had to focus on my role.
If I was bothered [with the attention given
to other characters], my energy would have
dissipated. There are many who, despite
having the best roles, are insecure. No one
put a gun to my head. If I am doing the film,
I will with dignity. You don't become
stronger when things are served to you on
a platter. You have to earn the tag.
It appears the success of your professional
gambles has given you this confidence.
I was not this secure four years ago. But
now, I do it [offbeat roles] to keep boredom
at bay. I am not a newcomer who is merely
excited about being in the industry. Of
course, the movies is my magical space, but
being part of Bollywood is not a driving
force. Something [film] needs to sweep me
off my feet to convince me to do it. In Udta
Punjab, I got the drive from the fact that my
character had to be high [under the
influence] to the point of being abusive. I've
never been high. That kept me on the edge.
In 'Haider', it was the monologue I had to
deliver. In 'Padmaavat', it was the sheer fact
that I found myself scouting for my lines
while reading the script. I had a line or two,
here and there. But there's a kick in being
able to pull that off.
Playing safe doesn't guarantee success
anymore. Does it?
Nothing succeeds like success. Success and
quality aren't the same. Actors must chase
quality, the by-product of which is success. I
want to be that actor whose repertoire has
a plethora of roles to show, not a couple of
stray performances.
Did the debacle of 'Rangoon' bother you?
Vishal sir [Bhardwaj, 'Rangoon' director]
and I make a great pair, but we didn't make
a great film. A lot of things went wrong
with 'Rangoon'. It was made on a large
budget, but failed to connect with the
audience. He is a great filmmaker, one who
helped me redefine myself and search for
[good] characters. It's not easy for a
filmmaker to hear criticism. It's like
commenting on his/her baby. It's better to
have that conversation a few years later,
when they're able to see the faults.
https://m.mid-day.com/articles/shahid-kapoor-did-padmaavat-because-i-am-a-secure-actor-today/19011174.
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