Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; February 13, 2019)

Due to the fashion police’s watchful eye, actors have visibly upped their style game. Be it red carpet dos or airport looks, B-Towners are paying more attention to what they wear before they face the shutterbugs. Shahid Kapoor, who has always been a cool dresser, can pull off anything right from a formal attire to athleisure outfits. We caught up with the actor at an event, where he discussed his style fundas. Excerpts from the chat:

Have you upped your fashion game consciously?
No, I have never really thought about it consciously. Initially, you have no clue (about your style), but over a period of time, you groom yourself and learn from people around you. Then, you feel like you understand who you are and how you want to carry yourself. When that feeling comes from within, it starts showing in the way you dress and that makes a statement. My fashion choices have not been to make a statement. I’ve just been true to who I am. That, in turn, has become a statement.

You usually sport clothes which have an easy-to-wear vibe...
I never wear something that I’m not comfortable in. Also, I’m moody. I don what I feel like at that point of time. I like looking sharp if the occasion permits it. I also love being jhalla at times. A lot of what I wear has an athleisure vibe to it because that really allows you to be diverse without too much effort. I can wear it to work or for my dance practice and workouts. I am someone who may go to dinner in a pair of shorts, too. Eventually, my work gives me a lot of opportunities to wear what I really want to. But in any situation, everyone can find something which is not run-of-the-mill, only if you put your head together and do it. Spend a little bit of time and magic will happen.

Tell us about the new initiative called Rethink by Marks & Spencer that you are associated with?
I feel it’s a really cool initiative because it’s by an iconic brand. For them to take a step out of their comfort zone, even if it’s within the workspace or formal space, is commendable. It will encourage people to go out there and discover their sense of fashion and try something different.

What’s the thought that goes behind picking an outfit?
You need to understand your body and your personality. A lot of things look good on a mannequin or on somebody else, but they might not suit you. Clothes are a part of who you are; it’s not a separate entity. It won’t suddenly make you someone else. Though in my movies, it’s maybe about that (being someone else), but personally, it’s about representing who I am.

Among B-Town folk, who do you think dresses well?
It’s different people at different points of time. I’m not someone who likes to dress loud for attention. Among the boys, I love what Ayushmann (Khurrana) wears. He’s fun and tries quirky stuff. Amitabh Bachchan has the ability to carry anything. Saif (Ali Khan) dresses really well. He’s extremely classy when it comes to clothes. Most of the girls are fabulous — whether it’s Katrina (Kaif), Alia (Bhatt), Deepika (Padukone) or Anushka (Sharma). I think Kiara (Advani) has got a great sense of style.

Now, the fashion police works around the clock...
I judge the fashion police a lot of times, too. There are instances when I read a fashion column and I’m like, “You like that? How can you?” (laughs). I think actors, as well as the junta, is judging them, too. They have the right to express themselves and so do I.

But is there an added pressure to always look good?
Once you are an adult and a professional, there’s always pressure in various aspects of life. Whether you are a husband or a dad, you can’t escape it (smiles). You have to know how to handle it in the right manner.