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29 March 2024

Shahid: 'As actors we are a commodity'

Shahid Kapoor (AFP)

Published
By Bindu Suresh Rai

The pursuit of the elusive Rs1 billion film club isn't what's driving Bollywood's Shahid Kapoor these days.

The actor, who was in Dubai for the world premiere of his latest romcom "Teri Meri Kahaani" told Emirates 24/7 that you don't just pick scripts that you think will hit that magic figure.

"It is phenomenal to see films having crossed Rs100 crores at the box office these past few years, but that isn't the driving force or a single minded focus for an actor to do a film."

In the past two years, films such "Bodyguard", "Agneepath", "Housefull 2" have all crossed the Rs1bn mark at the global box office.

"However, if you notice, all these films have established actors who have been in the industry for many years. Tell me one film which sees that magic figure and features the younger generation," asked Kapoor.

He added: "Also, those films that don't hit that number can also not be disregarded as bad films. "Kahaani", "The Dirty Picture", "Rang De Basanti" are fabulous films but have they crossed Rs100 crores? So are they not good enough because they haven't?"

The actor has been involved in a marketing blitzkrieg to promote the Kunal Kohli directed film, travelling to Singapore and Australia in recent weeks, with Toronto and London on the schedule following Dubai.

Ask the actor about this exhausting whirlwind and he stated that these days, 'it takes more effort to promote a film than act in one.'

He added: "We actors are commodities and have to act as such when promoting our film. Plus, the Indian market is exploding at such an exponential pace that we need to catch up with such aggressive marketing techniques."

Director Kunal Kohli, also in Dubai, added his two-bit, saying: "Let's also not forget that we have aggressive competition too within the industry. A few weeks ago "Rowdy Rathore" "Shanghai" and "Ferrari Ki Sawari" were fighting for screen space and after us its "Bol Bachchan". We need to find unique ways to connect with media and the audience know they need to come and watch us."

Kapoor plays three different characters in "Teri Meri Kahaani" spanning three eras: 1910, 1960 and 2012.

"Javed Qadri is my favourite character in the film, my alter ego" laughed Kapoor. "Any guy would aspire to be him, a flirt and complete ladies man. One wishes their love life was like his."

Priyanka Chopra is his co star in the film, which releases on June 21 across UAE cinemas.