Shahid Kapoor opened up about manufactured success in Bollywood, Alia Bhatt’s alleged paid trolling at Cannes, and the pressures of fame in a candid interview with The Hollywood Reporter India. He also called seeing yourself as a brand “psychotic, not normal.” He will next be seen in ‘Cocktail 2’, releasing June 19.
Shahid Kapoor has made several attempts to replicate the blockbuster success of his 2019 romantic thriller ‘Kabir Singh’, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, though none have managed to reach the same level. The actor, however, remains unfazed, citing the ongoing changes within the film industry as a key factor.
Shahid Kapoor on manufactured success in Bollywood
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Shahid opened up about how success in the film industry can be manufactured to a certain extent. He said, “But if something is terrible, you can’t say it’s very good. I’ve seen people call a film a blockbuster even though people are saying it’s very bad. If you pay for it, even that can be carried in the news today.”“Decide who you want to be and which version of you makes you feel good about yourself in the morning. If you wake up in the morning, look into the mirror, and don’t feel good about yourself, change yourself. You need to see yourself as a person. I know a lot of people see themselves as a brand or as a persona. It might work, but it’s psychotic. It’s not normal. I’m scared I should never be like that,” he confessed.
Shahid Kapoor reacts to Alia Bhatt’s alleged paid trolling at Cannes
When asked about the alleged paid trolling directed at his former co-star Alia Bhatt during her appearance at the Cannes Film Festival last month, Shahid chose his words carefully and responded with measured thoughtfulness. Without pointing fingers, he said, “Whenever one’s going through difficult times, when success and failure become such big factors that it becomes unpredictable, people do get insecure. In a generic sense, that makes sense. I never believe anything anybody says unless I see it for myself. I take everything with a pinch of salt.”Shahid further added that it is “sad” how much negativity circulates these days, describing it as a “lot of pressure” that can get “too much to handle.” He went on to say, “Negativity comes with the money and the fame. It’s part of the job. That’s how life balances itself. With all that love, can come that much negativity. I just feel, be real. There was a time when you could build a persona and manipulate people’s perception. I’d say even if you’re imperfect and insecure, let people see that. When they feel you’re trying to show them something they can see through, they get pissed off and very angry.”
Shahid Kapoor’s upcoming projects
On the work front, Shahid will next appear in ‘Cocktail 2’, a romantic comedy directed by Homi Adajania, sharing the screen with Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna. The film is set to release in cinemas on June 19. Go to Source
