Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt talk about their roles in Shaandaar, releasing today

Shahid: ‘Not a character I prepared for’
After his riveting turn in Vishal Bharadwaj’s Haider, Shahid Kapoor is back in Vikas Bahl’s Shaandaar. The charismatic actor talks of his experience.
What drew you to Shaandaar?
After Haider, which was edgy, dark and intense, I wanted to do something different. Vikas and I were talking about this way before Queen was ready and he mentioned destination wedding which I found very interesting. Three months later when he came to me with Shaandaar’s script, I remember that throughout the narration, I had a smile on my face. I felt if I can make people smile the way the narration had me smiling, then this will be a good film.
How was it to work with Vikas?
Vikas has a different perspective. He is a filmmaker who picks up regular stories and brings out a new perspective. He has a very quirky take. His characters are fresh and I have never played a character like Jagjinder Joginder before.
What kind of preparation went into playing the character of a wedding planner?
The whole idea was to be as candid as possible. It is not one of those films where you prepare. Vikas had already created the character and I just needed to feel my way through it. I didn’t prepare for the role at all. I, had a lot of fun playing Jagjinder. I hope people enjoy watching it as much as we enjoyed making it!
What was working with Alia like?
We didn’t really know each other well before we started shooting for this film. We met a couple of times socially. But I had seen her in the promo of Highway and I remember messaging her telling I really liked it. When we met on the set, it barely took us half a day to get along. She is a very talented actor and we are really good friends now.
When can we expect another Haider?
Films like Haider are very special and you never know when a film like that will come your way. Great films happen and you can’t really plan them. Having said that, I am going to do a genre which is going to be very demanding as an actor and require me to push myself.
Alia: ‘Channelling my crazy side’
Little Miss Alia Bhatt took some time off tweeting to speak about her experience on the sets ofShaandaar.
How different is this movie from your other films?
Every experience is different and unique. In Shandaar it is a mad experience because it is a crazy world within the movie. The film channelled my crazy side.
What were the challenges you faced?
People usually think looking good is easy. In reality, those are the toughest scenes to do. I had to constantly look fresh, and work very hard because I had to get into a bikini.
The weather conditions were tough…
There were couple of sequences when it was really cold. The film is set in UK in summer but it was shot in winter. We were in short clothes and there was a sequence when Shahid and I shot in a waterfall and the temperature was - 3 degree Celsius. We had to deliver dialogues in the water. But these were some of the little things that make really good stories.
Tell us about the song ‘gulabo’.
It was an amazing experience. It was Vikas’s idea that we all should wear moustaches. We do so much of song and dance in this industry that it is difficult to do something different each time and to get a concept so fresh.
What would you like the audience to take from the movie?
Nothing really in particular. The dances in the movie will inspire you to enjoy yourself and not worry about whether you look good or not.
How is your career panning out now?
It’s different in the sense, that I am growing up now. I was 18 when I started and mentally, physically and emotionally there is a change in me now. I find myself way more determined with each day passing by.
Vikas: Bringing a fairytale alive
After Queen, director Vikas Bahl returns with the quirky Shaandaar.
Why did you cast Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt?
The movie is a bit like a fairytale and I wanted two people who are great actors at the same time really good looking. To me, Shahid is one of the nicest looking guys in the industry and Alia is like a princess. They brought alive the whole idea I had in mind. They both believe in their work very strongly and are extremely passionate. They helped me make a better film. As a team, I take feedback from the people I work with. I talk to my cast and crew all the time and I hate it when someone doesn’t give me ideas.
What sets this move apart from others with the same theme?
I think it is a little ‘off’ because I see nowadays a lot of people attend weddings and do strange things like putting a ring while bungee-jumping or skydiving. I thought of taking these tiny random things and putting it in a movie. So it is a little unconventional and the story of these two meeting makes the story complete.
What kind of movies do you generally enjoy making?
I don’t believe in sticking to one genre. But I really enjoyed making Queen and I hope I can make something different and better than that. I hope Shaandaar works out for people the way Queen did.
Any memorable incidents during the shoot?
There was a point in time when we had to shoot in a waterfall and it was so cold that I couldn’t even put my finger inside. If I was Shahid or Alia, I would have left the shoot and gone home. But, both of them jumped into the water and they constantly assured us to go ahead even though they were uncomfortable in the cold water. They were there for 45 minutes and delivered the shot peacefully. I was astounded to see their dedication towards their work.