THE RETURN OF SHAHID KAPUR
First Published : 03 Jun 2009 07:57:04 AM IST
Kareena Kapoor. The dimpled, 28-yearold actor has, among other projects, the ''role of a lifetime'' coming up, is in the news almost every other day, and is being linked with almost every actress he's working with. Never mind that for someone who is labeled as ''incongruously reserved'' he is fielding far too many unsavoury rumours of being a control freak on the sets. ''In the last two and a half years, I think I've become a man.
I've learnt how to be intelligently spontaneous,'' is how Kapur puts it.
When we speak, Kapur is clearly anxious to steer the conversation towards his much-awaited Kaminey, where he plays a double role for the first time.
There is Charlie, the flamboyant rogue, and Guddu, the simpleton, both with speech defects. Director Vishal Bharadwaj's characterisations are known for their raw appeal (Langada Tyagi in Omkara and Maqbool in Maqbool), so Kapur admittedly has a treat lined up. ''A double role rarely comes to you. It is usually either white or black but in Kaminey it is something unusual,'' he promises.
The risk factor Kapur's sudden detour towards ''meaningful'' cinema has been rather unexpected, considering that since his debut in 2003, he has seldom (Shikar was a commercial lark) ventured beyond the romantic hero set-up. When I rib him about it, he laughingly protests, ''But I am happy being a lover boy and I would ideally never really stop doing such films.
They have a loyal fan base. Kaminey is an experimental film for me. It opened another dimension for me as an actor.'' For the young hero, moving to the next level of acting is all about taking risks.
''I get excited about doing different things. Initially, I would be scared but if I didn't do it I would be the biggest loser.
Also, I give my best when I am insecure,'' he continues. If he is upset with Saif Ali Khan's comment that Kaminey was first offered to him, Kapur refuses to show it.
''It's really hard to believe that anybody would turn this down. I feel fortunate that I'm doing it, regardless of whether it was offered to anybody else or not,'' he shrugs.
Of directors and Friday jitters Despite a successful debut, Ishq Vishq in 2003, Kapur faced a lull at the BO till- Vivaah (2006) hit the screens. Then came Jab We Met in 2007. His Aditya Kashyap went down very well with the audience.
Kapur has a theory regarding this. ''Actually, it was the success of Vivaah that made me zero in on Jab We Met. Like me, Surajji (director of Vivaah, Sooraj Barjatya) was in need of a hit. And Imtiaz Ali (director of Jab We Met) was a newcomer.
But I liked his narration style,'' observes Kapur who, like all actors, admits to feeling jittery on Fridays. ''That is when I realise the futility of fame. Just one Friday release is enough to make or break you,'' he observes.
Rumour has it The subject of directors is my cue to bring up his supposed involvement in ousting actress Jiah Khan from Ken Ghosh's Yahoo. ''Even I heard that,'' he sighs. ''Really, do I look like someone capable of doing that? Please spare me.'' Ken Gosh and Ahmad Khan (with whom he is making Paathshala) are said to be two of his closest buddies in Bollywood.
But what about the rumours that he has ghost-directed Yahoo? Far from amused by the direction the interview is taking, Kapur tries to shut me up with a ''What nonsense!'' And I heard you shared cold vibes with Genelia (Yahoo), I persist.
''Where did you hear that one? That's really funny,'' is his reply. Also, Kapur is known for his unsolicited 'filmmaking' suggestions on the sets. Another rumour has it that he wasn't too happy with the climax of Hadippa (a Yash Raj film with Rani Mukkerjee) and wanted to make a few changes.
Boring but nice From the looks of it, the real Shahid Kapur seems easy to fathom. In his own words, he is ''basic, simple and disciplined with no taste for controversies.'' In Bollywood speak, this would mean politically correct and, well, boring.
Blame it on his simple middle class values, courtesy his dad, actor Pankaj Kapur? Reportedly, during the filming of Jab We Met, Kapur was so hassled by his dad's unexpected visit that he had to take several retakes to get a shot right. ''Just one tiny compliment from my dad is enough to keep me floating for months,'' he admits. But what about the reported link-ups with his leading ladies, especially Priyanka Chopra, his Kaminey co-star who resides in the same apartment block as him? ''See, I know these girls and have gone out with them (Vidya Balan, Sania Mirza and Chopra). But it is purely friendship.'' Biking, blogging and e-resources Before we wind up, Kapur tries to convince me that he hates partying, preferring instead to unwind at home with a Khalil Gibran classic and a plate of hot parathas, rajma and salads. He has other interests ' during Kaminey, he developed a passion for photography and got himself a Canon EOS D50. Also into biking, he enjoys late night rides on his Yamaha. And recently he has been voicing an interest in alternate energy resources.
He hopes to connect with likeminded people to support research on green resources and plans to start a blog to connect with his fans on a personal level.
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