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FILM INTERVIEW: SHAHID KAPOOR

Can the Bollywood Boy-Wonder Reclaim Box Office Throne with Sonam Kapoor in ‘Mausam’?

By: Simran Mody

September 23, 2011

It is not necessarily a case of “like father, like son,” but for the first time ever, Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor headlines a film helmed by his father, Pankaj Kapoor. As Mausam finally hits theaters this weekend, Shahid Kapoor essentially went through the ringer in order to take on his role opposite Sonam Kapoor. After all, it is never easy for a son to work for his father, and while Pankaj is no Anakin to his superstar Luke-like son in Shahid, the former will never forget the limits he was pushed to while on set of Mausam.

“He pushed me a lot as an actor,” Shahid Kapoor said, to the Indian press, of working with his father. “When I signed up to the film, I knew I wanted to learn and unlearn certain things. Every actor has a comfort zone and knows that there are certain things which people like about him, and he plays on them. I wanted to get out of that, and Mausam helped me do that.“

Perhaps Shahid Kapoor needed that jolt, what with a series of films failing to positively rock the box office since Kaminey back in 2008.

While there are no guarantees the associations with Sonam Kapoor and his father will return him to a Salman Khan-like trajectory in the universe of Bollywood box office receipts, Shahid Kapoor was more than honored to be chronicling military leader Harinder “Harry” Singh in a film that reportedly came to him as a birthday gift.

“I have been running after dad to make a film with me for almost three years, but he always refused. Finally, he agreed, and about two years ago, he gave me this file on my birthday and said, ‘Happy Birthday, son. This is my gift to you this year,’” Shahid Kapoor confessed to the Indian press, adding that he did not immediately jump on board just because Pankaj Kapoor finally offered him the lead role.

“(He) told me that I should do the film only if I have faith in the script.”

Of course, considering that he finally did take the role, Shahid Kapoor explained the very reason Mausam instilled in him a high degree of belief.

“The reason I loved the film was that when I was reading the script, I was like, ‘I wish I could find a love like that,’” he confessed to the press, shedding light on the strong romantic streak evident in Mausam. “There is an unconditional side to love which we all want to find. I could associate with it. No relationship is perfect, but you do want to feel the magic of unconditional love. We all are running after that.”

One thing Shahid Kapoor is not running away from is another opportunity to work with his father again. While he was pushed out of his comfort zone in Mausam, the experience was for the actor’s betterment, he believes. Accordingly, Shahid Kapoor said he definitely would welcome another opportunity to work with Pankaj Kapoor.

“My father is working with Vishal Bhardwaj again, and I would love to see that film. I would love to work with him as an actor. It would be a great opportunity,” he told the press.

Just when the next Pankaj-Shahid collaboration will take place is uncertain, as Shahid Kapoor returns to the big screen with Priyanka Chopra in a yet-to-be-named romantic film directed by Kunal Kohli.

Until then, let us hope Shahid Kapoor rediscovers his box office magic with his father and Sonam Kapoor in 'Mausam,' which opens today and is playing worldwide.