Unfazed by flops, Shahid Kapoor looks forward to 'Badmash Company'

Unperturbed by box office duds post Kaminey, Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor is looking forward to the release of Badmash Company and his father Pankaj
Kapoor's directorial debut Mausam.

"If an actor keeps thinking about flops, he may not be able to give positivity to his next project which could turn out to be a bigger hit," Shahid told PTI.

"If you have to survive, you can't look backward. The only option is to look forward and contribute to the next project rather than wasting time on what is already over and done with," he said.

The actor is not bothered by the fact that his subsequent films---Dil Bole Haddipa and Chance Pe Dance after the critically-acclaimed Kaminey, sank at the box office.

The 29-year-old, who won accolades for his double role in the Vishal Bharadwaj movie, says he does not believe in talking too much about his earlier hits.

"By looking back at a successful film, you are allowing it to go into your head," he said.

The audience is always right and if they reject a film, something has to be wrong with it. I prefer talking about it behind closed doors with my directors," he said.

"Presently, my focus is on Badmash Company, and I would put it behind after its release on May 7 to concentrate on Mausam, which goes on floors May-end," he said.

Shahid, who plays the lead in his father's movie, is paired opposite Sonam Kapoor.

Shahid said Badmash Company' was a coming of age story about four friends.

"If a film has a strong emotional ground and base, people connect with it easily and I feel Badmash Company meets this requirement," Shahid, who plays Karan in the movie, said.

"Karan is a thinker. He thinks of ideas which don't appeal to other people. He is a middle class boy who knows that his brains and his abilities can make him big. There is a four to five year graph in the character which made portraying him very challenging," he said.

Besides, Shahid felt the story was fresh and believable and debutant director Parmeet Sethi knew exactly what he wanted.

Contrary to the rumours of differences with Parmeet on the sets, the actor said they were very open to each other and shared ideas.

"From the start we had decided to talk about every thing and be open enough to discuss everything with each other since we were working together for the first time and this was Parmeet's debut.

"We wanted to bring transparency, honesty and informality in our relationship. If this was construed as interference, I consider it to be a professional hazard."

He described co-star Anushka Sharma as an uninhibited actor who does not come with preconceived notions.

"She is very confident for just a second film. Her debut in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi was in a very conventional character but she has broken the mould in Badmash Company," he said.

The film also stars stand up comedian Vir Das and Indian Idol Season 3 contestant Mieyang Chang.

He said since the film was story of four friends, it was important for us to connect with each other.

"The four outdoors in New York, Philadelphia, Bangkok and Hyderabad helped us to get to know each other because we spent lot of time together. In the end, we were just four actors playing our roles.

Shahid feels actors always learn from mistakes not successes.

"There is no ego involved. A successful film and an unsuccessful film cannot be termed as a good or a bad film. This is an unpredictable field and hence you have to give your 100% because the audience can surprise you anytime," Shahid said.

He said he has evolved as an actor over the years.

"I have an aim, focus, belief in attempting new roles. I have lost inhibitions about myself and I don't feel scared to try new things," he said.

Speaking about Paathshala, Shahid said the Milind Ukey directed film got mixed reviews. "However, expectations were high which is good," he said.

"The film made at a budget of Rs7-8 crore has recovered the money. I don't see it as a Shahid Kapoor starrer commercial film. It was made for a cause and I am happy that it got a wide release, he said adding that he did the film only as a friend because he wanted to contribute to a social message.

Shahid said that he has no plans to turn director and only be happy being directed by others.