Shahid finds Rani a perfect dancer

DEVANSH PATEL meets the busiest man in Bollywood, Shahid Kapoor

AM I meeting a different Shahid Kapoor today?

No, man. I don't think so.

I am as stressed out as I was because I have another release coming up in the next two weeks. I was supposed to take this three-day Kaminey break (laughs). I haven't got any time to absorb the fact that the film has done well and that it is a success. I am trying to respond to all the messages that Ihave been receiving since Kaminey released and busy finishing up all my duties. Somewhere deep down, I am really happy. Ineeded the audience's support and I've got it.

Now that Dil Bole has been released, do you think the ones who are going to watch the film will be impressed by Shahid Kapoor in Kaminey?

I am hoping that all the positivity of Kaminey spills over on Dil Bole Hadippa. Secondly, people have always liked me in the commercial space of love stories and films that have a lot of dance, music and entertainment. They haven't seen me in my usual best for a year. Dil Bole Hadippa will put me back in that space. Thirdly, people who missed out on Kaminey, because it was an A certificate, will probably be able to see Dil Bole.

Do you empathise with those who were below 18 and couldn't get to see Kaminey?

Of course. My younger brother is 13. All his friends were upset that they could not see Kaminey. I'm really happy for them now that they will go and watch Dil Bole Hadippa. This is my first film with Rani and Yash Raj, too. There is a lot to it which is so different from Kaminey.

Do you think Yash Raj Films as a production house is far more superior in their work ethics than others you have worked in?

That will put all the other production houses I've worked with down, won't it? But I would definitely say that as a hero you feel burdened by the load of a film because if it works well, the first person to benefit is the actor. Working with Yash Raj is like working with a brand which itself has a certain credibility. Audiences want to see a Yash Raj film. It is also headed by a creative man who isn't merely a businessman. They understand the content within a film and it is also from their creative point of view. With Aditya Chopra around, things are too organised.

The public opinion has it that Rani Mukerji is the first actress who has perfectly matched up to Shahid Kapoor's steps while dancing.

(Laughs). Rani is a great dancer and people have forgotten that it has been a while since she has done an out-and-out dance number. The last time I saw Rani match up with any actor was with Govinda. There have been times when I have calmed myself down a little to balance it out with my co-actor, but Dil Bole Hadippa was the first time when I thought that I had to pull my socks up as Rani was going for the kill.

When was the last time you played cricket?

I am a great cricket buff. I first played cricket when I was a three-year-old. I have played for my school. I used to play seven hours of cricket every day in my building. Unfortunately, I didn't get to pursue it. I went through that whole phase of thinking that I would be a professional cricketer. As I grew up, there were others things that took over my interest. Dancing was one of them.

Any fond memories you had while filming Dil Bole Hadippa?

Yes. We were doing a whole day of shooting at the DY Patil ground. I refused to give my shot for half-an-hour because you could see the lush green grass, brown pitch, all hard with the wickets intact. I was standing and murmuring "somebody, please bowl to me", because I wasn't going to get this moment again. Finally, the cast and the crew did manage to play a short match.

You seem to be taking on all the hotties in Tinseltown at the moment.

(Laughs) Am I? Finally the day has come. It's good to be working with new people. There is

Rani Mukerji who is my senior, there is Priyanka Chopra, who has done as much work as me, Genelia D'Souza, who is newer, and Anushka Sharma, who is just one film old. Working with people who challenge you, push you or you feel are competition at some level, always helps you do better work, and I haven't done that for quite some time.

You played cricket with Rani?

Yes I did. I had a really busy one-and-a-half years. Jab We Met, Kaminey and then Dil Bole Hadippa. But I can recall days when I used to get a call from Rani at half past nine in the night, saying: "Shahid, where are you? I am in a cricket ground near Juhu. Please come."

I would reply: "Sorry Rani, but I have an appointment at 10." Rani would go: "Just come for 10 minutes, but come." I would reach there and she would be seen standing, all padded up, saying: "See how I am playing cricket. Now you show me how you play." I would then show her some of my shots and the reply would come: "You know how to play, so you can leave now." (laughs). I loved the way she was so involved with the film.

You've worked with a lot of first-time directors.

Yes, I have, and it is time for a change. This is a great time for anybody who is new. As an actor, I have felt that new directors bring in a fresh perspective to cinema and help us bring a new talent to the film we are working on. I feel very comfortable with those who write and direct films. Imtiaz Ali and Parmeet Sethi are some of them.

Who is your favourite cricketer and which match of his can you recall?

Sachin Tendulkar. I remember the match in Sharjah when the sandstorm happened followed by the Sachin storm. He went totally ballistic on the Australians.

awwwwwwwwww he is such a rani fan i can tell