I think marriage is the biggest challenge: Shahid Kapur

Hi, how has life been post marriage?

(Smiles) Oh, it has been wonderful. I am really on a high. I am enjoying life. Life certainly has changed a lot like it happens to everyone after getting married. There are so many things that change and yes, I must admit that one must enjoy all these changes.

So, what are the changes that you have already witnessed?

I think marriage is the biggest change. The other changes happen because of that. The first thing that happens is that your outlook towards life change. When you are a bachelor you are more carefree but with marriage comes a lot of responsibilities and these things happen naturally. It’s not forced but you somehow tend to think and do things differently?

Your wife, Mira Rajput, is not from the film fraternity. Do you discuss work when you get back home?

(Smiles) I don’t think people who marry from the same fraternity always discuss work. There are some many beautiful things that are to be enjoyed in life. It’s not that I don’t discuss anything related to work when I go back home but I feel quite relieved and relaxed when I get back home after work.

You are also choosing your films quite intelligently.

(Smiles again) But that is something for sure has nothing to do with my marriage. I think this change in me happened sometime ago and thing got even better after Haider. I am really very careful about choosing my films and I am happy with the way things have changed for good. I am really proud of Haider. It was a film that really presented me in a new way for which I will always remain grateful to Vishal Bhardwaj. We had earlier worked together in Kaminey and that too was a lovely experience but I would say Haider really changed things. I feel Vishal Bhardwaj to be one of the best filmmakers in today’s times.

So, you are a lot relaxed now?

It’s how you take it. As an actor I am happy with the kind of work I am doing but at the same time I am hungry for more good work. I think as an actor that is a continuous thing because you always want to outdo yourself with ever new role you play. Last year was really good for me because all my films did well and were appreciated by the critics. This has certainly given me more confidence.

A lot is being talked about your upcoming film Shaandar.

Yes, expectations are really high from me after the success of Haider and I am sure the audience will like this film. It’s a very sweet and romantic feel and I think this is a kind of film people want to watch during the festive season. So, the film too is releasing at a very good time and I am sure the audience will enjoy it.

Is the film on the lines of Jab We Met and is Alia’s character much like that of Geet, played by Kareena Kapoor?

Oh, no way. It’s no way similar. Though both the film are romantic comedies but neither is it similar to Jab We Met, nor is Alia’s character anywhere close to that played by Kareena. But I must say Alia is one of the most talented actresses I have seen of late. She is full of energy and has given a superb show. Geet’s character in Jab We Met too was full of energy and I feel if anyone can do justice to that role today, it has to be Alia. I was in fact, a bit scared working with her because she is really famous today but at the end of the day we became very good friends and we really enjoyed shooting for the film.

You were directed by your father Pankaj Kapur in Mausam. And now you will be seen sharing screen space with him. How was the experience?

I must say that being directed by him was a lot easier compared to sharing screen space with him. I am really happy to have shared screen space with him because it was a dream acting with him some day. But when we finally started shooting I was a bit reserved and jittery because I consider him to be one of the best actors in our country. So, it was initially quite scary for me, but  he made things easier for me and then it was a dream come true for me. We will really cherish these memories for long.

Your sister Sanah too makes her debut with this film.

As I said, there are many reasons I enjoyed doing this film and will cherish these memories. I am really happy that we all came together in this one film. I am really proud of Sanah as her elder brother. I think that’s how every brother will think about his sister. I hope she does great in life.

You have another couple of films on hand.

Yes, and I am really thrilled about both the projects. The first to release will be Udta Punjab which releases sometime in the first half of 2016 and then there is once again a film with Vishal Bhardwaj. It’s titled Rangoon and it will be equally good like Haider.