'I'm putting my best foot forward.'

Article Updated 30 November, 2005 11:06:23 AM IST

'I'm putting my best foot forward.' - Shahid Kapoor

Now is the time to test him. He is on trial. After a great start, he seems to have fizzled out a bit. And now, with as many as three films up for release, it is going to be the time of reckoning for SHAHID KAPOOR. While the Vikram Bhatt-directed multi-starrer 'Deewane Huye Pagal' released this Friday, he also has John Matthew Mattan's 'Shikhar' (December 16 release) and Mahesh Manjrekar's 'Vaah! Life Ho To Aisi' (January 2006) knocking on the doors.

Excerpts from an interview by VICKEY LALWANI:

You have three films in two months! How does it feel?
Well, I didn't time them that way (laughs). It's pretty strange really. I will have seven releases in the next year. It's a crucial time for me, an acid test rather. I'm putting my best foot forward, improvising if and when it demands, asking my directors what exactly they want from me.

What was it like working with director Vikram Bhatt ('Deewane Huye Pagal') for the first time?
Vikram Bhatt's good and knows what he wants. He's calm by nature. Having made successful films in the past of the same genre with the same production house, he shares a certain comfort level with his artistes on the sets. Fortunately for me, who was new to the group, our wavelengths matched and we got along well together.

What made you take up Sooraj Barjatya's film, 'Vivah'?
I would have been a fool to refuse the Barjatyas. Soorajji lived the film in front of me. We spent six hours together on the narration. He went into the minutest details of the dialogues, elaborated on how he wanted specific scenes to be done, he was clear about the look and hairstyle, he sang the songs to me. He gave me a complete picture. Soorajji knows exactly what he wants from 'Vivah' . I loved his confidence. Besides, it would be great working with Amrita Rao again; she was my first co-star and my first film 'Ishq Vishk' was a big hit (smiles).

What is 'Vivah' all about? The Barjatyas seem to have lost their touch?
I beg to differ. Moreover, I know for sure that 'Vivah' will rock. 'Vivah' is a very relationship-driven plot. It's a young film about discovering love.

People wrote you and Kareena off as a pair?
I don't care. One swallow does not make a summer. If producers didn't think of us as a commercial jodi, they wouldn't have cast us. After 'Fida', we are doing Satish Kaushik's 'Milenge Milenge' and Abbas-Mustan's '36, China Town'.

How do you rate Kareena as an actress?
She is terrific. In her presence, I cannot afford to relax.

Is working with your ladylove Kareena an advantage or a disadvantage?
If you think that we get distracted, you are barking up the wrong tree. Being in love and working together is mixing pleasure and business. Its God's gift that we have some films together, else we wouldn't be able to meet for months and maybe our relationship would have suffered. Touch wood, we have finished two years of our relationship and I hope and pray that it's forever.

Marriage?
Right now, we are at a very crucial juncture in our careers. Marriage is not a priority on our minds.

People say you have a Shah Rukh Khan hangover?
(Laughs) Shah Rukh is such a huge star and so senior to me. All I can say is that it's very humbling for people to even draw parallels between us. What else can I say?

Recently you won an award for 'The Hottest Lips'. How did it feel?
It was flattering yes, but I was mighty embarrassed too.

How are you staying in shape?
There are gyms all over and I have become a fitness freak. Gone are the days when heroes could get away without displaying any brawns. Today, a toned body is almost as necessary as talent. I cannot afford to take it easy when it comes to staying in shape. Today, apart from acting well, looking good is equally important.

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