Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

Finally after all the troubles and tribulations in the release of Bhansali’s Padmaavat, the audiences got to see the marvel in all its magnanimity. The most talked about performances are finally at the viewers’ disposal to be judged and praised. One such performance that managed to leave a mark despite the lack of loudness was the portrayal of Maharwal Ratan Singh by Shahid Kapoor.

He says, “It was one of the biggest risks of my career to take up a role like this where, for one-and-a-half years nobody knew about the film. So many people asked me that why I was doing this film. And when the film released, I actually waited for two days to see audiences’ reactions. I knew that my character was an underdog but I am so happy that the hero of the film has been given that kind of love. Out of the three characters, people know a lot about Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji but nobody knows about Ratan Singh. His journey was also spectacular. What he did — the sacrifices he made, the way he stood between his wife and Khilji — it was a beautiful journey but nobody knew about it. And I wanted to show that to the world because I felt it was a journey worth telling. And yes the numbers are also great.”

Shahid refuses to take credit for the grand box office collection that the movie is continuing to make. He gives the entire credit to the architect of the project, Sanjay Leela Bhansali. He says, “I don’t think box office numbers depends on any actor. How can I take credit for the numbers? Except for Sanjay Leela Bhansali, nobody should take credit for the numbers of Padmaavat. Haven’t we seen how the career of certain actors changed after doing just one film with him? He has taken me to such a wide audience…in the years to come, it will benefit me. It is not about Padmaavat, it is what we do after PadmaavatPadmaavat is all about Mr Bhansali. He leads from the front and I am happy to be the hero of his film because all his heroes become bigger stars”. He adds, “Everybody is talking only about how it is a top grosser. The first feeling I have is that we have come a long way. There was a point when we were wondering if the film will ever get a good release. It has been a very turbulent, emotionally draining and tiring journey. I feel validated due to the fact that the film has come out and people have said such beautiful things”.

On working with the ace director, Shahid had a lot to thank him for. He says, “After 15 years of working I felt like a newcomer. But I would definitely say that it helps, when you have worked with him. He has a defined process of work. It was great fun learning from him, see him direct, whether it is the camera movement or background music. The way he interprets a character, works on the lines of a character…it is like working with a mad genius. Because I was new on his set, it was a bigger challenge for me but I was up for it and I was really excited to share screen space with Ranveer and Deepika. And like they say, a true challenge for an actor is when words are taken away from him. Everybody had more to say than me in the film. Maybe three to four years down the line I wouldn’t have the guts to take it up. But I enjoyed it, now.

The actor’s chemistry with Deepika is being praised among the movie goers. “For 10 years or so, which is as long as Deepika has been in the industry, we’ve had offers which came and went and somehow we never ended up doing a film together. But Padmaavat is worth those years. In fact, Bhansali Sir saw the film and the minute he got up he said, ‘I want you and Deepika to do another film together’. In Padmaavat, there was not that much time for the romantic scenes…but we make a great pair and I am sure we will do something more in the future. There is more that can be juiced than what Padmaavat had”, says Shahid. It is surely a pair we look forward to.

Shahid, who has never shied away from working in a two- hero movie says, “If your insecurities are affecting you then it is taking away your opportunities. You have to take the right opportunity and the result will be defined over a period of time. Smart choices make a good career”.

In his next movie, Batti Gul Meter Chalu Shahid is playing a small town lawyer. We hope he recreates yet another excellent performance.

By Anjali Joshi

M.A. English student at University of Delhi