I would have played Padmavati as well: Shahid Kapoor

Shahid Kapoor and Sanjay Leela Bhansali have never worked together before and are finally coming together for the director’s next magnum opus, Padmavati. Revolving around the historic tale of Rani Padmini aka Padmavati, her husband Rana Rawal Ratan Singh and their nemesis Alauddin Khilji, the film has already gone on floors.

Shahid talks to us at length about his role in the film and addresses rumours of a fallout with co-star Ranveer Singh and explains why Padmavati is a risk he loved to take at this stage in his career. Excerpts:

What took you so long to work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali?

I don’t know. You should ask him that.

Has he never offered you a film before?

He claims he has, but I’m sure he hasn’t.

While Vishal Bhardwaj’s films are more about reality, Bhansali’s films are about fantasy...

But Padmavati isn’t a fantasy. It’s a historical with real characters.

Which space do you like more?

I like changing spaces which is why I became an actor.  I like the fact that I get to do something different everyday. There’s no coherence or consistency to who you are, how you behave and what you need to do. That’s what excites me about this job. I have favourite filmmakers and movies, but not genres.

Was Padmavati a yes from the word go?

That’s a long story. To cut it short, I always wanted to work with Bhansali sir. He offered me something, I really liked it and I did it.

You play Rana Rawal Ratan Singh in the film. Did you know about him or did you research about him after you got the offer?

Did I know about the character of the king? The person? Obviously, yes. Padmavati is a rather famous story, historical fact that happened. I did broadly know about it. However, with Sanjay sir, it’s very much about what he wants to make and the world he wants to create and his interpretation of the characters. The curiosity was what is it that he wants me to do. When I heard it, I was very excited and I thought it was a great opportunity.

This isn’t your first period film...

(Cuts in) Yes, Rangoon releases before Padmavati. That’s also a period film!

Today, period films are working at the box office. Has that piqued your expectations from Padmavati?

There’s no genre which performs or doesn’t perform. That’s what I am trying to say. And that’s why we keep changing our opinion every two years as to which genre is doing well. When a certain genre becomes popular, a lot of people start making movies of that genre which then turn out to be bad films and then people say that the genre is outdated. Till someone makes a new film n the same genre and rediscovers the genre and the same process starts again. It’s like a cycle. You like something, you do it, you give it 200 percent and hope that people feel that excitement when they watch the film. For me, it’s as simple as that. I don’t listen to all these 500 things that come around. I did that for the first 7-8 years of my life and made all the wrong choices.

What are you training for in the film?

I have a Non Disclosure Agreement. So does everybody else on Padmavati!

When do you start shooting?

Next week! I don’t know exactly how the film is scheduled. But I am going to start shooting now and I will shoot till the time we finish the film.

This is your first film with Deepika and this has finally happened after so many offers that you guys had got together...

That’s very true! In Padmavati, we have a lot of work together and I am really looking forward to working with her. I have been seeing her do some great work, especially in the last few years. She has really upped her game and she’s at her best right now. She’s probably doing better work than many today. So that’s awesome. It’s great that we are working together in a film like Padmavati because it’s a great opportunity for anybody who’s a part of this film. I really feel that Padmavati is going to be a special film.

You are also working with Saif in Rangoon and Ranveer in Padmavati. Not many actors like doing two-hero projects...

A star is a star. A star will get the importance and the focus that they would on the basis of their stardom, right? If you are working with somebody who’s extremely popular and credible, whatever comes on the table, comes regardless of whether they are male or female. So I don’t really see any difference in that.

But you have never had any insecurities?

Not really! What is there to be insecure about? Thinking that somebody will be better than you? That’s a real loser attitude. If somebody will be great in a film, they will be adding more credibility to a product that you are a part of. It’s only beneficial, right? Have you ever seen Usain Bolt run his best in a heat? Never! Why? Because he has no competition there. Why does he give his best always in the finals? Because he knows he has competition. He will never break his world record in a heat. He will break it when he’s running with the best. So to be your best, you have to be pitted against the best. People who don’t get that are just dumb.

Padmavati will take a lot of days to shoot. Were you comfortable blocking a whole year for the film?

This isn’t a comfortable job. I didn’t sign up for comfort. I signed up to be a part of great stuff and if that requires me to give more time or be uncomfortable or be in pain, or push myself physically or mentally, I am going to do it.

Does the length of your role matter to you or the impact of your role?

I think both things can be related and unrelated as well. So it depends. If you are asking in context of Padmavati, then I am happy with both.

There were several stories about problems between you and Ranveer. Would you clear the air now?

I am not upset, have not been upset and I doubt I will be upset. I have only been really happy and excited about being a part of Padmavati. That’s all I can comment on. I can’t really comment on what somebody else is feeling or going through. I am sure he will clarify for himself. But this is a great opportunity for both of us. He’s an actor whose work I really like and I think he’s great for the role of Alauddin Khilji and it will be great for all of us to work together and make a great film. I think it’s an amazing cast.

What’s your rapport with him off screen?

Ranveer and I have always been chilled out together. i have never had issues with him. I was on stage hosting when he got his debut award and I remember he was crying and it was a special moment for him. So I have kind-of seen him grow in the last six years and I loved what he did in Bajirao Mastani. He and Sanjay sir are a great team, so I’m sure that will bring in a lot of goodness in the film.

Did you have a joint narration for Padmavati?

I wouldn’t want to comment on that. I don’t think it’s appropriate. It would lead to too much conjecture.

Would you have loved to play Alauddin Khilji in the film?

I would have loved to play Padmavati as well! (Laughs) I think they are all great roles.

Are you open to doing a negative role generally?

I would love to do any role that gives me an opportunity to surprise the audience. Playing nice guys all the time is an easier way out. It’s a much higher percentage, there’s no comparison. Ten out of 10 films that are offered to a hero will be about him being this really lovely guy. I think people should understand that and enjoy it when they get something different.

Post Padmavati, what are you working on?

Well, there’s Padmavati now. And there’s more of Padmavati. And there’s a little more of Padmavati after that.

Will we see Mira and Misha accompanying you on the sets of Padmavati?

You won’t see them. I will see them! (Laughs) It’s a long movie, so I am sure at some point, they will drop by.