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Shahid Kapur is very upbeat these days. Of course, he was mired in controversy during the recent world tour, but he has turned a deaf ear to the rumours. Or probably, doesn’t want to to talk about it. He’ll soon be joining the cast of Vivaah to finish the shooting. His last two releases 36 China Town and Chup Chup Ke didn’t strike gold at the box office, but the actor did win a round of applause for his performances. And now he seems to be getting wiser. Apparently he’s reworking his strategy. He’s open to hearing scripts, but he’s going to be choosy about the kind of roles he does. “I’ve made some mistakes, but eventually I have realised where I was going wrong. I was doing too many films together. Now I am making a conscious effort to do only three films a year. Today, audiences are interested only in quality films and they don’t give you a second chance. Ten years back, if you had one hit and three flops you could get away with it. Today you can’t,” explains the actor. Quite a ‘hit’ idea, ain’t it guys?

He’s one of the most loved lover boys on-screen and surprisingly, loverboy Shahid has shown he has a funny bone too. But the role the Kapur lad wants to play the most is that of ‘the good son’. On Father’s Day, Shahid tells us about his dream of matching dad on screen. “My dream role is to work with my father (Pankaj Kapur). Of course, I need to be far more prepared to face the camera with him. My dad is powerhouse performer.”

Doesn’t a factory of talent like Pankaj, set high standards for his son too? “The fear of not living up to his expectations is unnerving. But my dad completely surprised me. After he watched my first film he said - ‘Okay son, I think you can act a little bit.’ Phew! I was so relieved,” recalls Shahid.

And the one time he got that fulfilling pat on his back? “He liked me most in Fida. My dad might be a tough critic, but at the same time he’s very encouraging. It’s not that I go and ask him how to improvise on my roles. It is something that comes naturally. I have a lot of conversations with him over dinner or over cups of tea,” explains the lad. But with so much of experience, surely the actorfather advises his son on ‘what not to do’? “I don’t go to him for approvals for the films I should sign. Tomorrow I don’t want to make a choice and blame my dad if the film doesn’t work. I’ve always taken my own decisions. I think even dad likes it that way; he always tells me that I have to shape my own destiny.”

While most stars can’t do without their mobile phones, actor Shahid Kapur had to do without one for quiet a few days. Apparently, the actor, who is on a world tour, lost his phone in London. And with a hectic schedule to follow, he had no time to buy another one for a number of days. While people in Mumbai were unable to get in touch with the actor, he was probably enjoying few moments of solitude. And with girlfriend Kareena Kapoor by his side, Shahid probably didn’t feel the need to get in touch with anyone else.

He might be busy with his shows abroad with Salman and the other stars, but that didn’t stop Shahid Kapur from fulfilling his other filmi commitments as well. So he even flew saat samundar paar for a couple of hours to Delhi for the promotion of one of his forthcoming film. “I came here in the morning for the promotion of my film and will be leaving shortly at night and will be back in London for my shows,” informs Shahid. Let’s hope other stars learn something from Shahid’s professionalism!

Shahid Kapur and Kareena Kapoor are vacationing in London, after wooing audiences all across America. Now the lovebirds have company. Karisma Kapoor has joined them out there, and apparently the three K’s are having quite a helluva time. They were seen having coffee and conversation in one of London’s most loved coffee shops, and if you think they were absolutely undisturbed, you’re wrong. They attracted a lot of onlookers around, and even the Brits who didn’t know them, got to know about our Indian beauties. Knowing how close the two sisters - Karisma and Kareena - are, Shahid must be wanting to do some bonding with the big sis. Good idea, boy!

A naughty kid: I spent the first 10 years of my life at Saket in Delhi. I went to Gyan Bharati School where I studied till Class V and made some very close friends with whom I am still in touch. I was a very naughty kid. My teachers scolded me at school and mom at home, because every time I played cricket, I broke my neighbours’ window panes. And then they would all troop to my house, complaining to mom.

An outsider in Mumbai: We moved to Mumbai and I joined Rajhana School. But I felt like an outsider there as the students had been studying together since KG, and I was a newcomer amongst them. It took me a month to adjust to the new environment. Mumbai opened up a new world for me.

Freedom at last: After the regimented school life, college was so much fun. I studied at Mithibai College in Mumbai, and no, it was not about girls only. In fact, I had a huge group of friends which had both girls and boys.

The Graduate: I was not sure about what I wanted to do after college. So I joined Shia
mak Davar’s dance classes at 18 and attended some acting workshops. It was here that I realised I wanted to act in movies.

Growing up with mom: Even though my parents - Pankaj Kapoor and Neelima Azeem - are from the film industry, they have both stayed away from the limelight. And taught me the same thing. It was my middle class upbringing that kept me grounded and realistic. I have a younger brother from my mother’s side, and a brother and sister from dad’s side. Mom was very young - just 20 - when I was born. So, she is like a buddy to me. We literally grew up together. She understands me like nobody else. She has always been supportive of my decisions.

I, me, myself: I have groomed myself. When I went for my first film audition, I failed. But I didn’t give up. Today, I take all my decisions myself. I live alone and handle my work, including my finances. I have had my ups and downs in the industry. That was when I matured and learnt the ropes. And, I am not sorry for the choices I made.

Dance like a man: I like stage shows because you can talk directly to your fans. I recently achieved this high when I went for my first international concert tour. I was performing with Kareena and Salman Khan and I was stunned to see the kind of fan following they have in London. I and Kareena performed there as a couple.

Ek duje ke liye: Kareena and I are in a serious relationship, and we are open about it. However, we don’t want to overhype it because we need our privacy. We are very happy together and would like things to remain the way they are. Our love life is pretty sorted out at the moment. But, yes, neither of us has given a serious thought to marriage yet.

Work comes first: We don’t have inhibitions while working together. We are comfortable on the sets because we understand each other and working together is a breeze. But I don’t let my personal attachment come in the way of work. I can’t keep looking at Kareena for hours while shooting because I love her. We are thorough professionals and here to deliver. Yet, if people feel we lack chemistry on screen, it doesn’t bother us because we have got used to hearing it.

Meeting the parents: I enjoy working with Kareena but I would be too nervous if all the Kapoors and Kapurs were to work together. I won’t be comfortable performing in front of the family members… I wouldn’t even come out of my make-up van.

It’s 11 pm, and Shahid Kapur seems to be on a high. He’s in the capital for a day for the promotion of UTV’s Chup Chup Ke directed by Priyadarshan (in cinemas now). After a couple of hours, he’s scheduled to fly back to UK for the grand finale of his first world tour, Rock Stars. Says Kapur, “The shows have been fantastic. It’s great to feel the love and admiration of your overseas fans within touching distance.”

But what about the lows, like controversies that he told Salman Khan about his performance on stage? “That’s the work of an idle mind working overtime. I’m relatively new in the industry and could not give advice to any senior, and here we’re talking of Salman Khan,” he says, adding, “I was upset with the stories, but Salmanbhai cheered me up. He laughed it off and eased out the awkwardness I felt initially.”

There was also the buzz that Khan had been denied a Canadian visa, forcing him to opt out of shows there. “Salman did get the visa and did perform in Canada.” He also dismisses stories about Khan asking other star performers on the tour to pay a share for the choreographers who were working very hard. “I must say the shows are more popular in India than anywhere else where we performed, going by the rumours that are coming up daily,” he says caustically. “There was no controversy at all and each one of us had a great time on the tour.”

After 36 China Town, Kapur will be away when his next film with Kareena Kapoor hits the screens. “But like every film, I’m nervous about this one too,” he admits, continuing, “This is my first comedy, and that too with Priyadarshan, who is known for his situational comedies. Besides, it was a wonderful experience working with actors like Om Puri and Paresh Rawal.” Distinguishing his and Kareena’s approach to their characters, where she plays a mute girl and he pretends to be deaf and mute, Kapur says, “Priyadarshan made sure our performances were spontaneous. He told Kareena to behave, and not act. As for me, since I’m only pretending to be something I’m not, I do my own thing making a fool of myself and that’s how the situations the characters get into become funny.”

Ask him if he’s hoping for an encore after 36 China Town, a decent success, after the failure of Fida and he answers, “When Fida failed people felt the climax went against our real personas. At the end of the day, it’s a film and if the audience likes it, it will do well. Chup Chup Ke is a family entertainer and I’m hopeful it will find appreciation with the audiences.”

He’s one of the most adored lover-boys of the new generation. Offscreen too, Shahid Kapur is, apparently, a wonderful boyfriend. But in his recent films the lad has been fiddling with different roles. And comedy seems to be the flavour of the season. His next release too is a comedy. This is his second release in a row with ladylove Kareena Kapoor. When asked what’s the funniest thing about her, he says, “Bebo will be laughing before a serious scene, but when the camera comes on you’ll see her howling. If I’ve to enact a serious scene; I’m in that frame of mind all day. In fact, in my first film with Kareena I was unnerved by her. I would be sitting in the corner and learning my lines, and she’d be chilling out.” Shahid’s girlfriend seems to be one cool-cat!