In a career spanning over two decades, Shahid Kapoor has evolved from a promising young dancer into one of Bollywood’s most versatile and experimental actors. Known for taking bold, unexpected roles, he has carved a niche for himself by embracing challenges and defying expectations. In our recent interview ahead of the IIFA weekend taking place on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, the actor talks about the experiences that have shaped him, from his early years as a dancer to his current role as a father.
How do the next few days in the UAE look for you? What are you going to be up to?
Well, it’s going to be hot. The weather is getting better now, but still very hot. It’s always amazing to be here. We were here a couple of years ago, and we’re going to make sure to give people a really fun evening. IIFA is always a lot of fun—there are amazing performances and a lot of celebrities coming in. It’s going to be a jazzed-up couple of nights. And, of course, we’re very excited for the IIFA weekend. It’s a chance to interact with people, do different activities, and visit new places, so it’s always fun.
What are your favourite things to do, and hangout spots, in Abu Dhabi or Dubai?
I always like being at the venue or in my room prepping. Either I want to be working, or I want to be resting. I love dancing and live shows, so even when others are performing, I just sit around and enjoy watching what they’re doing. I enjoy the process. I started as a dancer when I was 15 years old, so it feels nostalgic but also like I’m at home. I really enjoy that experience.
Speaking about your performance, what can we look forward to?
Well, you can expect a lot of dancing and some fun songs. We also have a few surprises lined up, including some collaborations with other celebrities. We might even have a moment where we all dance together.
What’s the one thing you’re looking forward to the most from the IIFA weekend?
I really enjoy dancing, so I’d say going live and giving people a fun time.
You started your journey as a dancer. Do you ever look back at that phase of your life?
I don’t really think about the past too much, but it comes up when I meet friends, colleagues, or people I’ve worked with. I’ve been doing this for about 20 years now, so I meet dancers, choreographers, filmmakers, and colleagues from the past. It comes up in conversations like that. But other than that, it’s better to move forward and be in the moment.
What is one piece of advice that has stuck with you from that phase of your life?
I think I’ve changed a lot since that phase of my life, but I guess the advice would be to keep doing what you love. I think I’m still doing that—sticking to the basics, striving to be a better version of myself, staying humble and grounded, and keeping things simple. Stuff like that.
Is there any advice you would give to your younger self from that phase, the young Shahid?
I would say, “Expect the unexpected”, because life never turns out the way you think it will. It will always surprise you, and you should be happy with the surprises it brings. A lot of the time, we get caught up in wanting things to be a certain way, but I think the universe usually has a better plan than what we have in our heads. So just be open and accepting, and the best things will come over time.
Your choices in film, and the types of roles you take on, have become bolder and more experimental. Is that inspired by your own personal growth and journey?
I’ve always wanted to do what people didn’t expect from me. Sometimes it worked, and sometimes it didn’t, but I wanted to challenge expectations. In my 20s and 30s, that’s just how I was—if everyone wanted one thing, I wanted to do the opposite. A lot of my best work came from that mindset, from wanting to prove a point. But now, I’m happy doing different things. I enjoy exploring various genres, playing different characters. I like doing things that are planned, but I also enjoy spontaneous projects.
How has fatherhood impacted that journey?
Fatherhood has definitely added to me as a human being, which naturally adds to me as a performer. It’s more about personal choices now—like wanting to be home with the kids every day when I’m in the city. One big aspect is keeping my kids away from what I do, but as they grow older, maybe allowing them to see a little of what their father does. Things like that.
Gearing towards work-life balance…
Everyone talks about work-life balance, but I don’t know if it’s ever truly possible. I always feel like I’m falling short somewhere, but the key is trying your best to balance both sides. It’s never going to be perfect, but as long as your attention is in both places, you’ll be fine.