In an industry often driven by fleeting trends and external validation, Shahid Kapoor has carved a distinctive path built on instinct, reinvention, and personal timing. Now in his 40s, the acclaimed actor appears calmer and more centered, attributes he credits to fatherhood and a deeper understanding of both himself and the craft of cinema.
Shahid Kapoor's Philosophy on Career and Comparison
In an exclusive preview of the upcoming episode of Rustomjee presents Bombay Times Lounge, Shahid Kapoor speaks with remarkable depth and candor about his professional journey. He reflects on why he has never compared his film career with those of his contemporaries, emphasizing that each individual's path is uniquely shaped by destiny.
"Everyone's journey is different; someone starts right next to the finish line because that's what destiny gave them, and somebody starts like 200 meters before the start line," Shahid explains. "You start counting your meters from the place you began. You see your own journey and merit yourself with that. You can't get so affected by what other people have achieved."
Critical Concerns About Social Media's Impact on Acting
Shahid Kapoor expresses significant concerns about how social media is influencing the development of new actors. He highlights a fundamental shift in how aspiring performers learn their craft today compared to traditional methods.
"We used to learn acting in a film theater, now people are learning acting by looking at their phones," he observes. "There's a fundamental difference in the way you view a movie on your phone and on the big screen. Sitting in a theater, seeing a story being told and having a social experience with so many people around you – there is a huge difference."
The actor strongly believes that contemporary actors need to reconnect with foundational cinematic experiences and real-world understanding. "I think a lot of new-age actors need to go to the theaters; they need to watch purana cinema. They need to go to smaller towns to understand our country. What happens is, with globalization... you know everything about the world, but there's no rootedness, and rooted emotions come from these experiences."
His advice is direct: "Actors really need to think about that... get off social media, go discover the world, experience reality and then get back on it."
Reuniting with Vishal Bhardwaj for O Romeo
Shahid Kapoor is reuniting with acclaimed director Vishal Bhardwaj for their fourth collaboration in O Romeo, marking their first project together in nearly seven years. Despite the time gap, Shahid describes their creative partnership as seamless and natural.
"The funniest thing is that, even though Vishal and I are collaborating after seven or eight years for O Romeo, it didn't feel any different than it was before," he shares. "It felt like a very natural flow of things. Of course, I can sense that he has also evolved, and I am also at a different stage of my career, but we've always had an unsaid creative understanding."
Fatherhood's Transformative Influence
Reflecting on how parenthood has reshaped his perspective on both life and career, Shahid reveals the profound impact his children have had on him. "Parenthood has changed me completely. I was just dying to be a papa. I wanted it so badly, and I was consumed by it," he confesses.
Now with a nine-year-old daughter and seven-year-old son, Shahid acknowledges a recent shift in focus. "Now that my daughter's nine and my son is seven, I've started thinking about myself much more. Till about a year back, I was just very absorbed with them."
He recognizes the importance of this career phase while balancing parental responsibilities. "I am turning 45 very soon, and these are very important years in my career. This is a young person's job, and to stay relevant for the newer generation, you have to really grow, evolve and adapt. Sometimes these roles that life gives you are so much bigger than any of these things. As a parent, you want to be the best version of yourself. I'm pretty obsessed with my kids, and it's been amazing."
Defining Your Own Pace in the Industry
Shahid Kapoor offers insightful perspectives on navigating a film career with authenticity rather than chasing trends. He categorizes career positions in relation to industry curves and emphasizes the importance of originality.
"There are three places you can be in your career: You can be ahead of the curve, you can be right at the curve, or you can be behind the curve. The one place I don't want to be is behind the curve," he states. "And if you're trying to do something that has already been done because it was successful, rest assured, you're behind the curve. We have to learn to define our own pace. If you spend your whole life thinking about this trend or that trend, you won't enjoy it. You can fail, but be original."
The Importance of Constructive Self-Critique
The actor, known for his critically acclaimed performance in Haider, discusses the delicate balance between healthy self-criticism and negative self-talk. He believes constructive critique is essential for artistic growth while cautioning against its excessive forms.
"I've learnt not to let negative chatter affect me in my head. I've worked very hard on myself to differentiate between what is critical and what is objective," Shahid explains. "And what is getting over critical and negative – there is a thin line there. To get better at what you do, you have to be critical, and if you get so affected by self-critique, then you're not strong enough and you won't progress."
The full episode of Rustomjee presents Bombay Times Lounge featuring Shahid Kapoor will be available soon on the Bombay Times YouTube channel, offering deeper insights into the actor's journey, creative process, and personal evolution.
