Shahid Kapoor talks about taking risks with his roles

Shahid Kapoor has spent over two decades in the film industry and has reinvented himself with every role he has played, whether Haider or Kabir Singh.  The actor is now gearing up for his next film, Deva, where he will play the role of a cop. Reflecting on his journey and the essence of filmmaking, Shahid shared his perspective on why storytelling is at the heart of great cinema.

He said, “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 nahi aaya.’ You can only keep people engaged—and keep yourself excited—by exploring, taking risks, making mistakes, and digging deeper.”

He continued, “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.”