"Jab We Met is a story of today's times" Shahid Kapoor

Courtesy: IndiaFM
Tuesday, October 23, 2007

He made a splash with his debut film Ishq Vishk, and the impact of this splash was soooo huge and magnanimous, that his fans started calling him 'Sha-Hit' Kapoor. We are indeed talking about the 'baby-faced mature' hero whom we better know as Shahid Kapoor, the son of the legendary actor par excellence Pankaj Kapoor. Shahids may forget to wear his cap or any other accessories, but he never forgets to wear his trademark smile, something that makes his fans simply go Fida over him. His fans from all over are unanimously and eagerly awaiting his latest movie Jab We Met, a film that is carrying oodles of good news, even before its release. And the good news is that, you can get up close and personal with the man himself, exclusive as we bring to you the man Shahid, live in flesh.

Please tell us something about the film
Jab We Met is very contemporary film. It's about two strangers, completely opposite each other in terms of temperament, behavior and how they are thrown towards each other in different situations that take them to various places! It is a beautiful story about life, travel, very young and fresh and a magical journey of two extremely different people who meet while traveling and how their life unfolds.

How different is your role in this film?
I play the role of Aditya, a rich industrialist, who is a broken man. He is depressed and life has become a burden for him so he is running away from everything, wanting to be alone. He then meets Geet aka Kareena Kapoor who is a complete chatterbox, talking all the time, full of life and excitement, totally in contrast to the emotions he's going through.

My role is completely different as I'm seen portraying subdued emotions, working in a corporate atmosphere, so you can say it's quite a unique role for me!

What made you choose this film?
Basically, the script really appealed to me. And this is the first time Kareena and me are doing a complete romantic love story. It's a film about today and being 26 years old myself I think this film is quite relatable in its context. The situations, dialogues etc are quite contemporary and realistic.

Any memorable experiences while shooting for the film
Oh there are so many! Once during the shoot my dad Pankaj Kapoor came to meet me in Khandala and thanks to that I became so nervous I just couldn't do my scenes! Then I had to ask him to go away for some time saying I would meet him later.

We traveled to so many places in India, exotic far off places that each place had its own memories attached.

What do you feel is the USP of Jab We Met
The USP is that Jab We Met is a story of today's times. We all have traveled to different places sometime in life and the unique factor of Jab We Met is that it shows a magical and romantic journey of two diametrically opposite people, which can happen to anyone!

Your comments on the music of the film
Oh I think Pritam has done a fantastic job with the music of the film. It's very fresh and songs like 'Mauja Mauja' and 'Yeh Ishq Hai' are topping the charts as well. People really like the album all over India and abroad. It's very important for the music to co-relate and enhance the film's situations and I think Pritam has done that.

Jab We Met took to many different parts of India. How was the experience?
Yeah being a travel film, I think we took the theme quite literally! We visited places all over India such as Nabha, Punjab, Manali, Rajasthan, Mandava, Rohtang Pass, Khandala, Bhatinda and so many others. From sub-zero temperature places like Rohtang Pass to extremely hot places like Rajasthan each place was a fabulous experience.

Any favorite place you like to travel to?
I like visiting places like Goa, places in Europe, London and also Dubai is a great place

How was the experience working with Imtiaz Ali?
Oh it was a great experience. Imtiaz is a guy who is very clear and focused on what he wants, very relaxed and quite chilled out as well. He has no airs about himself or his film and it was easy as we were on the same wavelengths throughout.

The actor who inspires you the most in Bollywood.
I am a big big fan of Aamir Khan. The way he conducts himself in life and work really inspires me and I really hope one day I can achieve even half of what he has achieved! He is one of the best we have today