Riding high on the blockbuster, Kabir Singh, Shahid Kapoor says he now feels ‘connected with people’; adds he’s happy to not have fallen in ‘any bracket’
Prashant Singh (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 27, 2019)

He could easily be called ‘the box office disruptor’ of 2019. After all, breaking every archetypal notion and turning each trade mantra on its head, Shahid Kapoor delivered the biggest blockbuster of his career yet, Kabir Singh. And that too when not many — including the trade world — had many expectations from the film. “I’ve been doing this [acting in films] for the last 15 years but suddenly, I feel very different, and it’s only because of the love that audiences have given me,” says Shahid, who is currently busy with the shoot of his next, Jersey, a Hindi remake of the Telugu sports-drama of the same name. Excerpts from an interview:

Personally, how do you look at 2019?
It’s been a defining year [for me] for sure. I think 2019 has empowered me to play all types of characters. It has given me the belief that audiences are there to watch a good story. If you can emotionally affect them and give a new experience, they are not as restricted in their minds as I think some of us, within the industry, are about what can travel wide and what can’t. The first thing that I felt [vis-à-vis Kabir Singh] was a strong and direct connection with the audience. When you get such overwhelming love, you realise its intensity. So, now, I feel very connected with the audience, and everyone who gave me, and the film so much love. And I only feel answerable only to them.

Now, going ahead, does a hit of such a big size put any pressure on you?
Not really! I think during your early years in the career, when you haven’t done enough work, you tend to take pressure about these things as you think that you can control them. But after many years, when you understand that success and failure is not completely in your control, you actually feel kind of liberated. I just feel that I did something very instinctively, from my gut, which connected with people. And I want to continue doing the same.

You broke the mould of a ‘Bollywood hero’ with films such as Kaminey (2009), Haider (2014) and Udta Punjab (2015). And you did it again with Kabir Singh. Does that give you a kick?
I don’t think I’ve ever fallen in any bracket in the last 10 years of my career and Kabir Singh was also not the kind of film that people would expect me to do. So, I think giving the audience the unexpected is what my relationship with them is based on. I will always try and give them a new experience. I will never do the same thing, which may work at the box office, 10 times. I don’t think that’s my relationship with the audience. Every actor has a different equation [with audiences] and my attempt is to surprise them or give them something new every time with a story.

What has been your biggest takeaway from the year?
That’s a very large question (laughs). I feel we are standing at a crossroad where everything is being questioned a lot, everybody is feeling judged, and everybody is being judgmental towards others. However, I feel that at the end of the day, filmmaking is all about telling stories about good as well as bad people. It’s also about the craft, and about entertaining people and the only party who should have the last word is the audience. So, my biggest learning is that you are making movies for people, and your focus has to be on what they feel about it.

Looking back at 2019, would you call it a transformative year of sorts for you?
See, as an actor, what happens is that you have many ambitions of your own because of which you make choices accordingly. But after Kabir Singh, I feel one of the most important aspects for me – while making my film choices – would be, ‘how I can reach out to people who have given me all the love.’ I wouldn’t want to do a film that is limited in its appeal. Of course, in today’s times, there are no rules to the game. But I’d definitely want to give people as many good films as I can because I feel they are the wind beneath my wings. And that’s why I feel responsible towards them.

Kabir Singh has beat films such as Avengers: Endgame, Joker, War and Gully Boy to become the most-searched movie on Google in India this year...
See, Kabir Singh was also quite a controversial film [many felt that the film ‘glamorised misogyny’ and ‘toxic masculinity’] and many people spoke a lot about it. So, I guess that also contributed a lot to why the film is the most searched film. It’s surely one of the biggest hits of the year but these are conversations that need to happen. I feel one of the biggest things that a film does is to bring up a conversation in the society. It makes the society reflect upon itself. Films are not meant to sermonise but some films are surely meant to reflect upon life. A film can be purely for entertainment, or to scare people, or it can be based on somebody’s life story which somebody believes must be made, and then the audience will decide if it’s worth their time or not.

In essence, you are advocating for space for different kinds of films. Is that correct?
Absolutely! And it’s great to see that there are different kinds of filmmakers, who are making various types of films. After all, cinema needs to be a wide spectrum medium. There should be no rules to the game, otherwise where is the free speech and free expression? Agar humein filmein banana hai and if films are a part of the fundamental right of free speech and expression, then we should agree to disagree. Nobody should be forced to like something that they don’t. But I don’t think anybody also has the right to say that you should or shouldn’t make this because we are all on the same platform. For somebody to tell others that you can or cannot do this means they are on a pedestal. Right? And I don’t think anybody is on that pedestal. We don’t need to fight if we don’t agree. That’s what a healthy democracy is all about. Respect somebody else’s point of view and others must respect your point of view. Disagreement is the basis of free society and that’s what we should focus on.

From this point, how do you see 2020, and the future?
The future looks the same as it was earlier. It’s as unexpected and as unpredictable. I don’t think I have gained any special sixth sense. This job is just so unpredictable that you should just keep the head down, focus on work, enjoy what you are doing, make people happy and keep going on till the time people want to see you. The idea is to keep giving them the best you got and never think that is forever. I feel everything has a timeline, har cheez ki expiry date hoti hai toh jab tak chal rahe ho, chalte raho, kaam karte raho.

Do you feel such a big success has come at the right time for you?
It’s never a wrong time for the right thing (smiles). Whenever it comes, its welcome and I am thankful. Let me be very honest, I have just bought a house in Worli, and I need to pay for it, so I am very happy that I got a successful film (laughs). People see actors differently but we also have the same issues that every other person faces ke, ghar chalaana hai aur family ko accha ghar dena hai and acchi life deni hai. So, I felt relieved that now, hopefully, I will be able to pay for the house that I have bought.

As Shahid Kapoor basks in Kabir Singh’s success, the actor says if he ‘hadn’t waited for so long’ for this, he ‘probably wouldn’t appreciate and respect it truly’
Prashant Singh (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 23, 2019)

It won’t really be wrong to say that 2019 has been an extremely special year for Shahid Kapoor. After all, contrary to everyone’s expectations, Kabir Singh broke several records to become one of the biggest box office earners [made almost ₹280 crore in India] of all time. And of course, the actor is “feeling blessed”.

“You know, I really believe a lot in destiny. A number of people have told me, ‘oh, you have waited 15 years for a hit this size’, but maybe, if I hadn’t waited for so long, I wouldn’t truly appreciate and respect it. Honestly, I feel failures make you a man. Even boys can do well when success is under their feet but when that carpet of success gets pulled away, only the men can stand up and survive. The boys get knocked out,” says Shahid, with a smile.

The Padmaavat (2018) actor says he is filled with “gratitude” for the success. “I feel all the failures that I have seen have made me who I am today. So, honestly, I am very thankful for the fact that though it took so long, such a big success came my way because I know that it may well have never happened to me,” says Shahid, who is yet to start work on a new film after Kabir Singh. “I have been working since I was 16. So, sitting at home just doesn’t fly with me,” says the actor, who will next be seen in the Hindi remake of the Telugu hit, Jersey.

For the time being though, he is happy to be with family [wife Mira and kids, Misha and Zain]. “It’s [the break] great since I get to spend time with my family, Mira and kids. But having said that, after a point, you just want to get on the sets. Even if you ride a motorcycle after really long, you feel a bit nervous. So, you need to keep doing it and be on the sets. Nowadays, I get nervous even if I have to go for an award function because I haven’t been in front of the camera for so long. It does make you feel a bit odd,” says Shahid, who recently went on a bike trip across Europe with younger brother, Ishaan Khatter, Kunal Kemmu and a few other friends. “It was a 10-day long trip, and 5-6 boys were together throughout the trip. We had a great time. In fact, I would recommend it for everyone,” says the actor.
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A new address!
For some time now, there has been a lot of talk about Shahid moving into a new, palatial home in Worli. But the actor clarifies that the shifting is going to take time. “It’s a bit far away [from being ready]. We still have to start getting it done up and all. I don’t think we can look at shifting for another year or two,” says the actor, who has already been called ‘Deepika Padukone’s neighbour’ by a section of the media. “I don’t think Deepika has her house in the same vicinity. But it makes for a good headline (laughs). I guess that’s why [such stories come],” he says.

The house that actor bought in SoBo last year is ready for possession
MUMBAI MIRROR (August 29, 2019)

On July 7, 2015, Shahid Kapoor and Mira Rajput tied the knot in a private ceremony, attended by only family and close friends, in Delhi. A year later, in August, the couple welcomed their first child, daughter Misha. With his family expanding, Shahid, who currently resides at a beach-facing apartment in Juhu, started looking out for a bigger place. The house-hunting was kicked into overdrive when the couple learnt that Mira was expecting their second child, son Zain, who was born on September 5 last year.

Months before that, in July, Shahid had signed a deal for a sea-facing duplex in Worli. Now, a source close to the development informs that the house is ready to move in.

“Shahid had been looking to move into a space that would be a better fit for his family of four. And this over 8000 square-feet apartment is expected to be ready for possession by the year-end,” revealed the source, adding that the development has fueled speculation that this could be the new address for the Kapoors.

Incidentally, it is a stone’s throw away from Deepika Padukone’s apartment, where she is currently residing with actor-husband Ranveer Singh. Yuvraj Singh, Anushka Sharma and her husband Virat Kohli are in the neighbourhood. The Indian skipper had acquired their luxury apartment in 2016.

“Shahid was looking for an unrestricted view of the city, and the 500 square-feet balcony in the new house faces the Bandra-Worli sea link, offering a great view of the city’s skyline. The apartment complex also features indoor facilities like spa, swimming pool, gym and ballrooms,” the source informed. Sharing pictures on with Mira on Instagram, Shahid had earlier said that they were planning their “dream house”. The 36-year-old actor was earlier quoted as saying that he and Mira are on the lookout for a safe place for their daughter.

Meena Iyer (DNA; August 18, 2018)

Almost minutes after you meet him, Shahid Kapoor admits that marriage and parenthood have changed his outlook towards most things. And, believe us, this is not the first time he is saying it because in the last few years, he has experienced both the aspects. The actor tied the knot with Mira Rajput in 2015 and the couple had their first child, Misha, the following year.

He says, “I have bought a new home in Central Mumbai. It will be a year-and-a-half, perhaps even two, before we do the interiors and move in there. However, it’s an investment that I needed to make. I have a much smaller home in Juhu and with two children (the second one arriving in September), the requirement of the family has changed.”

The Batti Gul Meter Chalu actor harks back to a time when he loved intimate spaces. He recalls, “Earlier, when I was house-hunting, I would tell my estate agent that I want a place where there were few neighbours. I didn’t want anyone gawking at me. I wanted to go home quietly and not be waylaid by people.”

Sasha still loves his Juhu beach-facing abode that offers him a lot of privacy. But, now there is a difference. He elaborates, “The new home that Mira and I have booked has a garden and other amenities like a gymnasium, etc. Today, our requirement is having a safe place for Misha where she can play with others. We want her to be with kids of her age because that’s how she will have a regular childhood.”

He adds, “My outlook towards designing our house has changed. At my earlier pad in Andheri and the current one in Juhu, I broke down most of the walls and made it completely open. I liked the feeling of a home being intimate yet having a lot of open space within. The walls gave me a feeling of being constricted. So, I had converted my 3BHK Andheri home in such a way that I had a massive bedroom, a walk-in wardrobe and the works. I was a bachelor then and my views on the subject were diametrically opposite to what they are now. Today, I want my children to have their own rooms. Obviously, Mira and my requirement is having a bigger space where the two of us can spend time.

We like the thought of staying in a high-rise that offers us solitude, yet gives us access to some aspects that families need.”

DNA (July 24, 2018)

Not so long ago, Bollywood’s most popular export Priyanka Chopra and Hindi cinema’s quite-in-demand actor Shahid Kapoor lived at the same housing complex in Andheri. Then, Shahid moved to the upscale Juhu area and got many people jealous because his beachside ground-floor pad in Praneta Apartments (where even Vidya Balan resides) was one of the most envied addresses in Mumbai. With his private garden space, a huge basement and a lovely view of Juhu Beach, Sasha’s home was definitely a-notch-above several other star residences. However, some time ago, the actor, who is about to make another addition to his family in September, started looking out for a bigger home. A couple of news reports have suggested that he has narrowed down on a spacious Worli residence and is expected to move in there sometime in the future. In the meanwhile, he has also reportedly put up his Raj Classic flat for sale. Some say, he may even give up his Praneta residence. However, insiders deny this.

As for Priyanka, well, she moved to Juhu, too, a couple of years ago. In fact, when her beau Nick Jonas was in town a few weeks ago, he met up with people at this very address. Reports suggest that she also has put up her Raj Classic abode on rent. Our source said, “Her mother Madhu Chopra and her brother Sidharth continue to stay on one side of the floor. However, PC’s side of the house has allegedly been rented out.” Everyone is aware that Priyanka is looking to move to a bungalow sometime soon. And a birdie whispered that she has also picked up a stake in a high-rise coming up in Versova. It seems these actors are definitely going places — both in their professional as well as personal lives.

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 18, 2017)

Two years ago, Shahid Kapoor moved from his spacious Versova pad into a ground floor sea-facing apartment in Juhu, where he has been living with wife Mira Rajput, with whom he tied the knot in July 2015. The couple welcomed their firstborn, daughter Misha, in August last year in the same house. Mirror has now learnt that the new parents are now on the lookout for another home.

“They are looking for a house in Bandra or South Mumbai and have already seen a few properties. However, they won’t be moving out of their Juhu residence at the moment,” informs a source close to the 36-year-old actor. Shahid, who had reportedly bought his Juhu pad in June 2014, had personally supervised its interior designing.

On February 19, Mr and Mrs Kapoor threw open the gates of their home to friends from the film industry as Mira hosted a star-studded pre-birthday bash for Shahid (on February 25). The sun-downer was attended by the birthday boy’s Padmavati co-stars, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif, his Udta Punjab heroine Alia Bhatt, and Karan Johar, among many others. The alcohol-free party was generously peppered with bonhomie, detox shots and other healthy treats.

A number of Bollywood actors are moving homes. For some, it's about privacy while others are moving out of their parents' homes and seeking independence
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; November 14, 2016)

BOMBAY TIMES (June 7, 2016)

Meena Iyer (BOMBAY TIMES; July 7, 2015)

DNA (September 1, 2014)

Shahid ends up being the disc jockey (DJ) at most parties he goes to. Whether it is with friends, or even at a night club. One time, he got behind the decks with DJ Ankytrixx at GQ’s Best-Dressed party. DJing, he says, is something that snuck up on him after a trip to Ibiza.

“It took me four years to find that place,” he laughs, when asked about the place, adding, “Brokers had just stopped calling me back.”

Now with the new pad, he can test-run his sets.

Rachana Dubey (MID-DAY; April 9, 2014)

Seems, Shahid Kapoor’s hunt for a new property has ended at a plush apartment in Juhu, which he has reportedly bought for a whopping sum of approximately Rs 32 crore. But that is hardly what drew our attention. The building in question, named Praneta, located at Juhu Tara Road, also happens to be the one where Disney UTV’s head honcho Siddharth Roy Kapur bought a sprawling sea-facing home and has been living there with his wife Vidya Balan ever since their wedding in December 2012. Once rumoured to be a couple, Vidya and Shahid, will now be neighbours.

As of now, it’s unclear if Shahid plans to make this his new residence, utilise it as his office or it’s just another investment.

The actor hasn’t moved into his new road-facing property yet, although on enquiring, we learnt that the apartment is presently being renovated. When we visited the building, the security pointed his flat out to us.

The actor who currently resides in Yari Road chose the flat from over a dozen.

Shahid remained unavailable for a comment.