Shahid Kapoor has spent over two decades in the film industry, evolving from a romantic hero to taking on complex, layered roles. From Udta Punjab to Kabir Singh, he has consistently chosen characters with depth, and his upcoming film Deva seems to promise another intense and intriguing role for him.
As Shahid puts it, “I must continue to push the boundaries of storytelling. I believe cinema is much more than just entertainment—it’s about depth, risk and artistic expression.”
Reflecting on his journey and the essence of filmmaking, Shahid shared his perspective on why storytelling is at the heart of great cinema. Commenting on the similarities between the layered characters he has played and his role in Deva, Shahid shared, “Cinema is not just about laughter and songs. Of course, entertainment is essential—you need to give people a great time. But at its core, cinema is about storytelling. And in a story, the central character doesn’t always have to be the simplest, nicest guy. That would get boring after a while. I’ve been working for 21 years now, and if I had just kept doing the same thing over and over again, this room would be empty—you’d all say, ‘Shahid, koi nahin aaya (No one’s come).’ You can only keep people engaged—and keep yourself excited—by exploring, taking risks, making mistakes and digging deeper.”
He adds, “Cinema is an art form, and while audiences may not always realize it, it’s the artistry that keeps them captivated. They might come in expecting something light or predictable, but what truly holds them for two and a half hours is the story, the characters, the emotions, the relationships, the complexities, and the unexpected moments. That’s what makes cinema raw, pure, and unadulterated in its most amazing form.”
Having acted in 33 films since 2003, Shahid has tasted success in just nine films so far, though he has been critically acclaimed for Udta Punjab, Haider, Kaminey, Bloody Daddy and Jersey, besides the web series, Farzi. His biggest solo hit has been Sahib Singh, but his highest grosser has been Padmaavat. So maybe he knows what he is talking about, at least for his own career graph.
(Used with permission)
