EXCLUSIVE: Shahid Kapoor - If I was afraid to play a hero who is an underdog, Padmaavat wouldn't be the same

A war has ended and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus Padmaavat has emerged as a winner. Shahid Kapoor stepped into the shoes of strong hero Maharawal Ratan Singh, Deepika Padukone played the graceful and yet powerful Rani Padmavati and Ranveer Singh was seen as the villain - Alauddin Khilji. The film wouldn't have been the master art that it is now without the lead actors' efforts and the director's vision. 

We met Shahid to know the journey of him as Maharawal Ratan Singh up close. To put in his words - "If I was afraid to play a hero who is an underdog, the film wouldn't have been the way it is."

Here are excerpts from the interview: 

Now that Padmaavat has finally hit the screens after battling so many controversies and is doing well at the box office, what do you have to say about it? It was surely a turbulent journey - how do you see it now? 

Well, Padmaavat is a huge ticket film and was a film that people were looking forward to. You are kind of sure that the weekend won't be an issue. So, the way it happened was that we have paid reviews and then the film came on Thursday and following that was Friday which was a national holiday and you see the film jump at the box office. Unlike any other big commercial film, Padmaavat had to prove its quality before it got big numbers because people were afraid going to the theatres. It was almost like a word-of-mouth for the film which usually happens for the films that people are not excited for or are waiting for. For whatever the reasons if people would have walked out of the theatres not liking the film, it wouldn't have been the way it is now. What I am trying to say is that Padmaavat has earned love and not because of the fact that it's a big budget movie, not because it's Sanjay Leela Bhansali's next and not because the film has Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone or me, but because the people who have gone in the theatres have come out saying these two things - one, the film is not controversial and it's a film that should be seen because of a great cinematic experience. I am very proud that Padmaavat as a product has fought every possible battle to make it heard and seen. I correlate that to my journey in the film - everyone wondered about my role - was it a special appearance or what am I doing the film. I had to wait for one-and-half years to feel validated and for people to know why. In fact, I didn't speak for the next two days after the release - I wanted to see whether the people have felt what I have tried to depict, whether they walked out of the film saying good on you, Shahid. Padmavati - If I can say so - was a titular role for Deepika, if Ranveer was scared to play the villain and if I was afraid to play a hero who is an underdog, the film wouldn't have been the way it is. 

Those who have seen the film agree to the fact that underplaying is a tough task - and you did that with so much ease as Maharawal Ratan Singh. What's your take on it? 

I don't think that I underplayed Maharawal Ratan Singh, I would say I played Maharawal Ratan Singh. This is the character that was meant to be subtle. Nobody overplayed or nobody underplayed - it was our characters and we did our job according to the briefs we were given. It is the people who are deciding. As an actor, I have come from Tommy Singh which is different to what I have done in Padmaavat. 

Before the release of the film, a lot of fans were doubting that will you be able to undo Ranveer and Deepika's chemistry but after the film has released, people are loving this new Jodi? Did you have the same thought process earlier? 

Actually, the best thing was the minute after the first screening of the film, Sanjay sir looked at me and said, 'you know Deepika and you should do one more film together, I want to see more of you'. That was the biggest compliment. Well, the movie had less of romance and it had to say a lot many other things too - so we didn't have much time to linger and ponder over it. But, that's the nature of the film. Deepika is spectacular and we have waited for it and now that people have loved us, it's great. 

Not a lot has been written about Maharawal Ratan Singh in the books of history and you yourself said that it's least author-backed role. Were there any jitters or apprehensions before taking up the role? 

The way it went, I was curious about it. Sanjay sir told me that 'I need you in the film'. He said that 'you have just come from Tommy Singh that was a dark edgy character - why don't you play a good guy or someone with valour and why do you feel that a good guy cannot be powerful and he can't make an impact. I just looked at him and asked - 'Do you think I should do it? He said yes and I was like I am doing it'. 

Well, there was a time when the film was postponed and Karni Sena wanted to ban the film and your one and half years of hard work was at stake. Did you break down then and was Mira the constant support? 

Mira has been the constant support throughout. It's character in the film that needs a lot from as an actor. I was like the new entrant in the team which has already worked before. To the fact, the film had to deal with before it actually came out. There was so much written about the film before it was seen. It was a tiring journey and Mira has been a support system and like a wall for me. I couldn't have done it without her.

You recently said that it was because of Mira that you took up the role. We are amazed by the fact that she not belonging to industry per se has a sensibility of choosing the right roles...

You know sometimes it's not about someone telling you to do something. Sometimes you have a feeling that this will work for you and Mira was very optimistic about it. She has always said that 'you should take up the role'. It was because of just a few words that pushed me to the edge to take up the role. 

As we are talking about Mira, you once in an interview said that how she agreed to take bouncers along with her. Now, we see her pretty much comfortable with the paparazzi. What do you have to say about it? 

Well, she has to be (laughs)!

What about Misha - you have always stressed on the fact - you both want to give her normal childhood - but with always being in the limelight and her pictures always coming out - do you find it a bit difficult? 

We can not live in an imaginary world where all these things don't exist. It's about exercising as much control as you can. 

Recently, we saw a picture of Misha trying to wear your shoes - what was your reaction when you saw her doing that?

She does that every day (laughs)! I think she has decided to take over - that's what I said. 

Now that you are done with Padmaavat, what's the status of Batti Gul Meter Chalu?

I will start shooting for the film in February. It's my first film with Shree Narayan Singh. It's a film based on a relevant subject - the issue of electricity and power cuts. I am playing a lawyer in the film and I am actually excited. 

So, your brother Ishaan Khatter is also stepping into the industry and the trailer of his film, Beyond The Clouds, is out. What's was your reaction when you saw the film? 

I was very emotional and I behaved like a daddy because he is way younger than me. I had that fatherly feeling. I told him that 'I had to struggle really hard to get here and you are getting an opportunity and everyone knows that you are my brother - you better act'. After watching the film, I was like 'Oh yeah, he can act!'  

Finally, what about the reports of Jab We Met pair coming back after 10 years? 

Yes, Imtiaz (Ali) and I are working together, but it's not Jab We Met 2!