'I am still a struggling actor'

we all know that Shahid Kapoor is a terrific dancer but his dance has never been showcased well in the movies. Now, finally, comes a film that will show the world just how good a dancer this former dance teacher at Shaimak Davar's dance classes is.

Shahid plays a struggling actor in Ken Ghosh's Chance Pe Dance. The film co-stars Genelia.

He tells Patcy N how similar the film is to his own life.

What can we expect from Chance Pe Dance?

Chance Pe Dance is a young film. The story is very real. It is about people from a middle class family and their struggle to do something in an entertaining and simple way.

'Anybody who has struggled in life will relate to the film'

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Tell us about your character.

I play a struggling actor. I did not have to look at any other actor to prepare for the role, as I have struggled a lot. In many ways, I am still a struggling actor. I'm still struggling to be better as an actor, and land roles. Ken Ghosh had first rejected me (during Ishq Vishk). Later, he realised his mistake and now, we have worked in three films together.

Will audiences be able to relate to the film?

Anybody who has struggled in life will relate to it. Usually, the common man cannot relate to our films but here, we have tried our best to connect with people who have struggled -- like people who don't have money to pay their rent or electricity bills, people who have second-hand cars but no money for fuel, or people who cannot afford to go to restaurants and have vada pav.

Everyone has to face rejection at some point until you get that first big break. This film is a journey of that struggle before he lands his first break. We have showed this in an entertaining way.

'I have spend one night in a car in real life'

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You spent a night in a car with Genelia, in one of the marketting promotions of the film.

There is a portion in the film where my character Sunil lives in a car, as he does not have money to pay rent.

And this has happened to me in real life. Fortunately, it was just one night.

This idea came from the marketting team of the film. I thought it was a cute idea, so I did it.

'Ken Ghosh's greatest strength is that when he makes a film, it is very real'

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Patcy N in Mumbai

We all know that Shahid Kapoor is a terrific dancer but his dance has never been showcased well in the movies. Now, finally, comes a film that will show the world just how good a dancer this former dance teacher at Shaimak Davar's dance classes is.

Shahid plays a struggling actor in Ken Ghosh's Chance Pe Dance. The film co-stars Genelia.

He tells Patcy N how similar the film is to his own life.

What can we expect from Chance Pe Dance?

Chance Pe Dance is a young film. The story is very real. It is about people from a middle class family and their struggle to do something in an entertaining and simple way.

Image: A scene from Chance Pe Dance

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Tell us about your character.

I play a struggling actor. I did not have to look at any other actor to prepare for the role, as I have struggled a lot. In many ways, I am still a struggling actor. I'm still struggling to be better as an actor, and land roles. Ken Ghosh had first rejected me (during Ishq Vishk). Later, he realised his mistake and now, we have worked in three films together.

Will audiences be able to relate to the film?

Anybody who has struggled in life will relate to it. Usually, the common man cannot relate to our films but here, we have tried our best to connect with people who have struggled -- like people who don't have money to pay their rent or electricity bills, people who have second-hand cars but no money for fuel, or people who cannot afford to go to restaurants and have vada pav.

Everyone has to face rejection at some point until you get that first big break. This film is a journey of that struggle before he lands his first break. We have showed this in an entertaining way.

Image: A scene from Chance Pe Dance

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Even though you play a struggler, you wear designer clothes.

Today's youth -- whether they are rich or poor -- have a sense of style. Ten years ago, when I went to college, I felt that whatever I wore was the coolest outfit. And my budget then was Rs 200. So I don't think money has anything to do with style.

Tell us about your terrific dance moves in the film.

I love dancing. I think it is an expression of happiness, and being high on life.

In this film, we have tried to a new kind of dance called crumping, which is very famous abroad. Film choreographer Marty Kudelka, who has done two songs in the film, brought this dance to India. I have tried my best to do a good job.

Ahmed Khan has choreographed the other songs. He has introduced new dance styles too.

Image: A scene from Chance Pe Dance

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You spent a night in a car with Genelia, in one of the marketting promotions of the film.

There is a portion in the film where my character Sunil lives in a car, as he does not have money to pay rent.

And this has happened to me in real life. Fortunately, it was just one night.

This idea came from the marketting team of the film. I thought it was a cute idea, so I did it.

Image: A scene from Chance Pe Dance

Prev Next

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Why do you think the audience will be attracted to Chance Pe Dance?

I wish I can take my name (laughs) but nothing is sure these days. The film's simplicity should attract people.

Ken Ghosh's greatest strength is that when he makes a film, it is very real. Like when we made our first film Ishq Vishk, we shot it in a real college campus with real students. We spoke dialogues that we would normally use with our friends. Likewise, you can relate with this film too.

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Now Shahid in airport trouble

Shahid Kapoor has become the latest Indian celebrity to get a taste of the racial profiling prevalent at US airports. The Bollywood actor had to wait for one and a half hour at the New York airport while his Man Friday, Mohammad Manjoor Allam (Mamu), was detained by the authorities for having a ‘common name’.
Mamu, who’s been with Shahid ever since the latter was a child, was not comfortable answering the questions in English and Shahid sat with him through the ordeal. His manager Rajnigandha Shekhawat confirmed the incident and said, “Shahid is shooting in US and does not want to talk about it. Mamu was grilled for a long time by the authorities.”
HT City spoke to people for reactions. Singer Shibani Kashyap said, “Even I was harassed at NY airport. The US authorities are paranoid.” Writer Alka Lal said, “One shouldn’t mind getting checked. They are doing it for security. Even David Beckham was recently detained at an airport.”

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Shahid Kapoor: HADIPPA is a complete contrast to KAMINEY

Even though he has worked in films across varied genres, the lover boy image seems to be stuck around Shahid Kapoor, courtesy his recent successes like KISMAT KONNECTION, JAB WE MET and VIVAAH.

"Even when I was on the verge of signing KAMINEY, people discouraged me. Since on paper itself it sounded such a different film, I was advised that I should follow a conventional route and do more love stories. People felt that I was on a wrong path by signing on something experimental when I should have rather consolidated my image as a lover boy. I am glad I took a firm stand though because I sincerely believe that audiences today want a change", explains Shahid.

CHECK OUT: I have to continuously prove myself

He isn't turning his back away from romantic films though.

"They will also continue for sure", he smiles, "Now DIL BOLE HADIPPA is a complete contrast to KAMINEY with a lot of 'bhangra-shangra' and other related stuff. See, at the end of the day, I do want to do different kind of work and find acceptance in all spaces. It's just that I am not willing to restrict myself to a particular genre, especially in the times when change is the order of the day. Thankfully, audiences have become much more receptive to you being seen in a different avatar."

No wonder, in weeks to come, DIL BOLE HADIPPA would be followed by CHANCE PE DANCE.

"It's all fun though crazy situation to be in", says Shahid, "DIL BOLE HADIPPA will release on 18th September and a day after the film's release, I leave for USA. Then soon after I would be back to promote Ken's CHANCE PE DANCE. Meanwhile I am shooting for Parmeet Sethi film with Anushka Sharma. I don't really have time to breathe though honestly, it's a happy problem to be a pa

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Rani Mukherjee will not marry

The stories of her marriage has been doing the rounds for years now but Rani Mukherjee seems to be in no mood to tie the knot as yet. Recently the actress said the there was no marriage on the cards for her and she wasn't even getting engaged. The 31 year old actress took a dig at the media by saying that they have been trying to marry her off since the last three years but haven't been able to fix the day.

Making a strong statement the Bong babe said that she had no plans to marry even in the future. There has been a buzz around the tinsel town that she is involved with Aditya Chopra and has been the reason behind his divorce. Rani has time and again denied these stories and said Aditya Chopra was just her friend and there was nothing between them

Rani is desperate to revive her career with the upcoming movie Dil Bole Hadippa where she stars opposite Shahid Kapoor. It may not surprise many but her last three films Ta Ra Rum Pum , Laaga Chunari Mein Daag and Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic have been under the Yash Raj Films banner. Perhaps, Rani only has the answer how does she make to a fourth YRF movie after delivering three duds.

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