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The Bollywood heart-throb discusses his exciting new role in Vishal Bhardwaj's Hindi adaptation of Shakespeare's tragedy

Shahid Kapoor epitomises the archetypal Bollywood hero, commonly associated with the conventional masala films that cater to an audience that readily gorges on escapist fare. A trained dancer, with moves that would have impressed Michael Jackson, Kapoor was catapulted to stardom at just 21 with his first movie Ishq Vishk (2003) a teen romance that had him instantly pegged as a romantic idol. Now aged 33, clocking 11 years and 24 films as a star of Hindi cinema, he's still a heart-throb for millions, and it's easy to see why. Ruggedly handsome, he retains a glimmer of the boyish charm of his youth. Now he is ready for what could be a career-defining role in Vishal Bhardwaj's Hindi adaptation of William Shakespeare's Hamlet, titled Haider.

Are you a tragic figure? Do you have anything in common with Hamlet? 

His journey is very complex. I wouldn't say that I have seen such drama in my personal life, but yes I have seen a lot early in life, so I could connect with the emotions the character went through. But if you can't draw a parallel in your life, then you'd pretty much be at a loss to play the part. You feel you don't know if this guy is OK or a bit off his rocker. It's nice to delve into the dark side a little bit. I enjoy that. I have a dark side, for sure. I don't think I could play this role if I didn't. 

Your father, Pankaj Kapur, was a well-known classically trained stage and screen actor. What did he teach you?

Since a very early age I've been heavily influenced by my father - specifically acting being discussed, not just being a star. When I started, my dad would tell me: "If you're going to act, do Hamlet." It's funny that all these years later, that's what I'm doing.

Taking on Shakespeare is another level from Bollywood, considering all the legends who have played the role?

Yes, playing Hamlet is something that's extremely exciting and at the same time it's a little scary. It's a big ask from any actor, and every actor has said that, from the greatest actors who have performed it. I don't know why Vishal chooses to cast me, but I just feel very thankful that he does.

What prompted you to shave your hair off?

There are certain films you do just for the box office and there are certain films you do which are a cinema of passion. If I hadn't have shaved my head, it would be like, "Dude, it's just make up." You need to tell people: "This film is a big deal for me."

Has it interfered with your status as India's most eligible bachelor?

My father wants to get me married off. He thinks I'm getting old now because I'm 33 and I'm not going to be able to find a girl any more. He says: "You've got so used to being on your own that you probably won't be able to adjust to anybody now." I get those lectures quite often. I do crave normalcy. It's nice to find somebody that you can have a normal relationship with.

How would you sum up the journey of Shahid'?

I'm an actor at heart. It's probably the biggest part of my life. When I'm not working I feel I've had a loss of identity; like I don't know who I am. I've given 11 years of my life to this and probably all of my adulthood. I don't know who else I am. This is me.

Haider is released on 2 October

Vishal Bhardwaj films are considered niche products. And with Haider looking glossy, filled with angst still, one would assume that the film is for limited people. Much has already been spoken about its clash with Bang Bang but the conviction of Vishal Bhardwaj on his product speaks volumes about how sure he is about his film. Usually such films pick up much later with a word of the mouth publicity. In an interview with Koimoi, we asked Shahid if he agrees that box office prospects of films like Haider are limited. He didn't agree on the same.

The actor explained, "It is difficult to describe, what film will work at what scale anymore. In the last years, whenever people from the industry meet and discuss it, the fact remains that we all agree box office is very unfathomable and unpredictable. It is a popular opinion. The audience has a mind of their own and it is impossible to gauge how many people will come to watch which film and to what extent will they like it. It is driven by a lot of factors. I can't be sure whether Haider will strictly be a nice film or even whether it will connect with a large audience, small audience or medium audience. I think Haideris a film made from heart and if people get touched by what we have created then chances are that it will reach out to a lot of people. That is something which we will find out post release."

But Haider seems like a movie in which a lot of effort has gone at an emotional level too. There were reports that the film's budget was being kept tight to ease the process of recovering cost. The film was shot in fewer days as well. Shahid agrees that the film was very emotionally draining out and the physical expectations too were high. He said, "It was very emotionally taxing to be in a film like Haider. It's a very intense character, to portray his journey was very tiring. Being in the film was like a crisis situation but once it was over, I was really tired. When I was shooting there was a strong demand for me to keep it together. After it was over, I was in bed for 18 hours to rejuvenate. We have a grueling schedule in this film and shot it in 55 days straight. It was really cold in Kashmir. When you see the film you'll be confident it was shot over 80 days. We shot long hours, shift locations everyday. In a scene where cold is getting to you, you are standing in ice and you have to perform a break down scene ups your standard as a performer. It was very draining but I am very proud of the film we have made."

Haider starring Shahid alongside Tabu, Kay Kay Menon, Irrfan Khan and Shraddha Kapoor is all set to clash with Bang Bang on 2nd October. Trade buzz suggests that the 5 day long weekend will prove beneficial for both films.