It was a bittering afternoon last week when t2 dropped in to the set of a commercial being shot in Mumbai’s Bandra to meet Shahid Kapoor. It was lunchtime and Shahid was sharing his dabba with his bestie, stylist and designer Kunal Rawal. On the menu was black channa and brown rice. “It’s protein and slow-acting carbs which is supposed to be healthy,” said Shahid between mouthfuls. Beyond a quick ‘Hi’, Kunal doesn’t even look up from his plate. “I haven’t eaten in a while,” he explains. Shahid rolls his eyes before saying “Ya, ya! That’s the excuse everyone gives when they are overeating.” And the two friends start laughing and high-fiving.

This pretty much sets the mood for the rest of my time with Shahid that afternoon. There is eating, inside jokes and lots of laughter. In all the years that I have known the actor, this is the calmest and happiest I have seen him. The success of Haider, the buzz around Shaandaar and his marriage this summer to Mira have put him in a great headspace.

“Today, I am comfortable with who I am. I have finally found myself.  There is no balance in this industry. When you are successful, everyone is blowing sunshine up your ass and when you are not, they are pretty much walking all over you. You don’t get consistent feedback. People’s perceptions are rather fickle. Perception is never reality which is why you should never take it seriously,” he says.

Over a long chat, Shahid talks about everything from why weddings — both real and reel — are painful, why his dad Pankaj Kapur is a scary co-star, and his abnormal life.

Let’s start with Shaandaar. What got you interested?

Well, I saw the rough cut of Queen way before the release and that got me very interested in Vikas (Bahl) as a director. He had been talking to me about a different subject and then he mentioned the idea of a ‘destination wedding’ and the various characters there. I think Vikas is the most partied man…as in he attends a lot of parties, so I think he has gone to a lot of destination weddings. So, he had a lot of interesting scenes and characters. It’s difficult to make fresh love stories and I thought Vikas had found one in this idea.

When you want to work with someone, you always form these ideas of what it would be like to work with them. Was working with Vikas what you had thought it would be?

Nope. (Laughs) Vikas is too chilled out on the set for anyone to take him very seriously as a filmmaker. But that’s his strongest quality. He makes you feel so relaxed and easy with the process of making a film. Vikas doesn’t behave like a director…there was no shouting or losing temper on the set. So, I was very surprised with how easy and open he was with most things. This is not what you expect from someone who has won two National Awards (for Chillar Party and Queen).

That’s exactly what Alia (Bhatt) said to t2. She said that you and she were high-strung…

That’s her! She is high-strung and she learnt to chill (laughs). I used to only ask Alia and Vikas if the shot was okay. There was a l ot of friendly banter on the set. There was no pressure at all.

Alia also said you’re the only Piscean she’s ever gotten along with...

Ditto for me. And we got along pretty much from the start. We didn’t know each other before this film, but somehow we just clicked. I think what’s reflecting in the film is the easy energy and the genuine fondness we have. I don’t need to tell you how talented she is. Even though she is new, she is trying so many different things. In the last year-and-a-half, we have made two films (Shaandaar and Udta Punjab) together.

Your other co-actor in the film is your dad. You’ve been directed by him in the past, but what was it like to share screen space with him?

Scary.

Scarier than having him as a director?

Yes. As a director (in Mausam), he is on your side. He is helping you give a better shot. But as an actor, he is standing in the same frame as you. So, you are intimidated to be in the presence of a talent like him. For me, he is one of the finest actors of this industry, ever. I remember I felt a little like this when I worked with Irrfan (Khan) in Haider. But with dad, this feeling was five times more intense. I was very nervous in the first couple of days. He is very graceful and he allowed me the space to settle down.

And then it was fun because our characters are not supposed to like each other in the film. So, it was fun to say everything I couldn’t, wouldn’t or shouldn’t say to my father! (Laughs)

Your sister Sanah, who makes her debut in Shaandaar, told t2 that you are an overprotective elder brother…

Is that what she told you?! (Laughs)

Was it easy to give her the space and treat her like a co-actor?

Well, when your sister tells you, ‘I don’t want to see your face when I am giving my shot, so please leave,’ you don’t have much choice.
 
Sanah said that she always wanted to be an actor. Did you have an inkling?

Ya. I have come to realise that all my siblings want to be actors. And I was exactly like that at their age, so I totally understand the headspace they are in. I think they are all very talented and I am their biggest cheerleader. I am very proud of the fact that my sister is making her debut. I was very emotional when I saw her give her first shot. It didn’t help that she had banished me from the set so I was hiding behind a tent trying to film the shot on my phone! (Laughs) She got very pissed off when she got to know I was there. There is one scene where it’s just her and dad and she is superb in the scene. So confident!

After a decade-plus in the industry, do you have any advice for your sibling about how to deal with Bollywood and stardom?

My siblings (Sanah, and brothers Ruhaan and Ishaan) don’t want my advice! (Laughs) I usually get advice from them. If they want it, I’d be more than happy to share, but I don’t think they’d want it. They seem to know what they are doing.

If there was one thing you were to tell them about Bollywood, what would it be?

Put your seat belt on because it’s not going to be a smooth ride.

In Shaandaar, you play a wedding planner. If you could go back and plan your wedding again, would you do it differently?

(Laughs) The real one?

Of course!

I don’t want to even think of a wedding. They are very tiring (laughs). There are just too many people to manage... can’t handle it.

So if you could do it again, what would be different?

I’d hold Mira’s hand and say: ‘I want to get married to you. Let’s run!’ (Laughs) We’ll let everyone know once the ceremonies are done.

How is married life treating you?

Good. I get awesome food. This is the best food I have ever got from home!

Your mother is not going to be happy to read this!

My mother (Neelima Azim) never cooked too much, so I am safe on that front. See, I have thought this answer through (laughs)! Apart from the food, I am still the 49 per cent owner of the house which I think is pretty good. I haven’t given up completely. I have a feeling it’ll eventually balance out at 33 per cent.

Has it been easy to give up the reins of the house to Mira?

Oh, I am very happy. When I realised that I have someone to help take care of the house, I was so kicked! (Laughs) I really enjoyed handing it all over to to her. But you have to truly let go.

From what I know, you are someone who likes to be in control of his surroundings…

That’s what everyone thinks. It’s not necessarily true. What I am particular is attention to detail. Maybe I was a control freak when I was younger. I think youth has this exuberance where you want to show people how to do things. Then life happens and you realise that everything is beyond your control. You understand that it is better to flow with life. I am happy to go where life takes me... of course, there has to be an effort and a goal. But it’s not necessary that you would be able to walk in a straight line towards your goal. You might have to take a couple of detours. If you are moving in the right direction, eventually you will reach your goal. You need to have faith. (Turns towards Kunal) ‘I should write a f*****g book, bro! You are giving me the vibe ki tu likh de kuch’.

Kunal: If you write a book, I’ll have many stories to add. He mentioned his attention to detail... I have to tell you the running joke, Aalim (Shahid’s hairdresser) and I have. If Aalim ever leaves his scissors around SK, he’ll teach himself how to cut his hair. That’s the level of attention he pays to everything.

Shahid: Rubbish bro… I just let it all go, bro.

Kunal: He is the baap of being anal (both burst into a fit of laughter).

How is Mira dealing with being a celebrity’s wife?

She is very unassuming and very real…these are the things that I really like about her. So, she is being very matter-of-fact about everything. Sometimes she gives me a fresh perspective on things. When I go back home, sometimes she doesn’t want to know about films and instead wants to plan a dinner… so there is that level of normalcy in my life. It’s very refreshing. She keeps reminding me that there is a lot to life beyond the little bubble I live in.

There are already rumours about her… about her wanting to act. That can’t be easy for her to deal with...

(Laughs) I remember she went to a mall recently to buy something for the house and she came back totally freaked out. Apparently these four ladies started following her. Apparently, they were looking at her and whispering. Mira initially thought there was something on her clothes, but then she got very creeped out and ran away. My reaction was ‘People were looking at you, so what’s the big deal?’ And that’s when I realised how abnormal our lives are (laughs). She will get used to it.

So, is she interested in acting?

Naaaah.

Getting back to work, you are going to be shooting your third film with Vishal Bhardwaj...

I am super excited to work with him again (in Rangoon). In Kaminey, we had a good relationship, in Haider there was a personal bond that got created. So, I have that feeling that he’s got my back. I haven’t asked him much about the film. He told me to grow a beard and I have done that. Beyond that, he will tell me what he wants. I have a lot of faith in him. We will start in November-end or December, so it’s a long way off.

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