He is one star kid who didn’t get stardom on a golden platter in Bollywood. He had to struggle to make a niche for himself. Shahid Kapur, son of veteran actor Pankaj Kapur started off as a background dancer in films like Taal and Dil To Pagal Hai. But today he is one of the few successful leading actors, just behind the Khan clans. He hit the top chart with films like Jab We Met, Kaminey, Kismat Konnection etc. Known for his superb dancing technique and also for his acting ability, he is such a sought after present day actor, that even his father had to wait to get dates from him to start his directorial debut film, Mausam.

Q. What was the difference between working with other directors and your own father? Did you discuss shots with Pankaj Kapur the director or Pankaj Kapur the dad?

SK: Every director is different. Since dad is also an actor, his filmmaking was also different. Mausam marks my father’s directorial debut, hence it will always remain special to all of us. It was a huge responsibility for me and I kept hoping I would be able to live up to his expectations. Initially I was a bundle of nerves working with Dad. But I gradually became comfortable.

While on the set it was director Pankaj Kapur who called the shots. He treated me like any other actor. We had a difference of opinion regarding some scenes, but in the end the final take was mutually worked upon.

Q. At a time when the popularity of maar-dhaar films seem to be increasing, what do you feel will be the reaction of audiences to a sweet romantic film such as Mausam? Looking at the current success stories, films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Jab We Met etc seem to be of an old genre.

SK: I don’t really feel that if action films are the flavour of the season then audiences will not accept a sweet romantic film like Mausam. We all love love stories and like to see happy endings, so this is exactly what we are giving our audience.

Q. What is the USP of this film that would woo the audience to the theater beside the presence of a goodlooking male lead?

SK: Mausam is my dad Pankaj Kapur’s first film as a director, it is a love story that is beyond the regular rom-com variety and of the kind that has not been seen in ages. I am a romantic by heart, so love comes and happens naturally to me. And in this film Sonam looks gorgeous. Mausam has great songs, composed by Pritam Chakraborty and lyrics Irshad Kamil. With singers like Ustad Rashid Khan, Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and others lending their voices, I feel even the songs would be a great USP of the film. And more than anything Mausam has a soul. Hope the audience will love it. Inshallah.

Q. Who is better: Pankaj Kapur the director or actor?

SK: That’s tough. Pankaj Kapur the actor is phenomenal and Pankaj Kapur the director is gifted.

Q. As success grows how one does tackle the responsibilities coming with it? Rumours (you have faced many); hawks or parasites (always manage to reach those who are successful); sycophants who actually harm more and ones’ own ego?

SK: Stay true to yourself, you will handle anything be it success or failure.

Q. What do you look for when selecting a role? Would you like to experiment with your image of a sweet chocolate-faced hero to something else, like take a negative role (not a half hearted one like Kaminey) or something else? Or would you like to stick to your image for some more time?

SK: I don’t want to be typecast. As an actor my job is to portray any and every kind of a role convincingly. The script should be so appealing that I have no choice, but to give in.

Q. Where will we see you 10 years later? Will you still be acting or branch out to direction, production or scripting?

SK: Ten years is a long time. I believe in living in the moment. — Surekha Kadapa-Bose