Hollybollywood

He’s received rave reviews for his performance and anchoring at a recent award show, even from Shah Rukh Khan. “Yes,” says Shahid, “I’ve received a few messages. I’m actually a very shy person. But of late, I’ve discovered a fun side to myself, which existed somewhere deep inside. Now it’s becoming dangerously fun. Ha ha.” Shahid also shares an equation with SRK, beyond the usual cinematic comparisons. He says, “Shah Rukh bhai – Shah Rukh Khan – dealt with me on the show like an elder brother. He’s amazingly witty on stage. I hosted four segments and performed to Dhan Te Nan, my favourite song of the year. This is the first show I hosted and I enjoyed myself thoroughly.”

We ask him what projects keep him busy after Chance Pe Dance, and Shahid says, “If there’s a future left... agar future mein kaam mila toh karenge. But immediately after this, it will be Pathshaala, a small but sweet film. I’m not a hero, mine is a special appearance, about 40 minutes long. But it’s special to me because Shaira Khan, choreographer Ahmed Khan’s wife, produces it. Ahmad did Dhan Te Nan with us. He is a very close buddy, almost like family. The film is about the education system in the country. Then, my next is with Anushka Sharma and directed by Parmeet Sethi. But this year is dedicated to my father’s film. I am playing an Air Force officer and it’s a love story.”

Shahid lives life in Technicolor and likes it that way. And at the moment, he only wants to focus on 70mm and says, “I want to learn how to cook and how to play the guitar. I already know a bit of photography.”

Shahid is unfailingly in the news for his love life. Have such things change his views on love? Says Shahid, “I don’t have a definition for love. I think it’s something, which happens... it is something beautiful. When I get an innocent peck from a ten-year-old child and there’s a smile on his face, when my mum gives me a hug when I’m tired, that’s love. When my father looks in my eyes, and says, ‘Beta, I’ve found the subject of the film which I will make with you as an actor and myself as the director.’ I see love there. So love exists in all forms.”

There’ve been reports that Shahid’s asked his parents to look for a girl for him. To this, he says, “I look pretty settled. How much more do you want me to settle down? I had just said that in jest. Everyone is trying to pin me down with somebody. People see anyone raasta chalte, they say, ‘Isko Shahid ke saath connect kar do, shayad kuch ho jaaye.’

Two things about Shahid Kapoor we don’t know.
Now this is really going to put you off! I go to sleep in very old boxers and torn tees because I find them comfortable. And one more thing, I take lots and lots of photographs. I click away on the sets because my life is on the sets.

What is Shahid the man like?
I’m simple yet complicated. A lot of things are always inside me. I’m passionate about work to the point of madness.

What’s your biggest weakness as an actor?
I get bored of myself very easily sometimes a bit too fast. I can’t do the same thing again and again. That’s bad in a way because if you’re good in a romantic role, you should build on that. And if you’re good in action films, you should do more of that.

What’s your weirdest fan interaction?
You know, I have these parents coming up to me, carrying their kids. Sometimes they can just be three or four months old. And the parents ask for my autograph. They always say ‘Hamare liye nahin, bachche ke liye mang rahen hein!’

Do you get upset when we keep writing about you and Priyanka?

Not at all. I’ll tell you a story. Once, when I was with Shiamak Davar, we were rehearsing for an international competition. We were practising a very difficult routine 15 times at a stretch! At the end, I was just plain numb. That’s the way I feel now about rumours – plain numb. And, before you ask, I’m not in a relationship!”