Shahid Kapoor was hesitant to take on drug addict’s role in Udta Punjab: “I have not done any substance in my life. I don’t know what it is to be high”

Shahid Kapoor has seen many ups and downs in his career. However, there have been many instances that his performances have been immensely appreciated. One of them was for Udta Punjab where he played the role of a rockstar with drug addiction. The film also starred Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Diljit Dosanjh.

In an interview with Pinkvilla, Shahid revealed that he had asked Udta Punjab director Abhishek Chaubey, “Why did you offer me this role? Bro, maine life mein kabhi sharab nahi pi hain. Aaj tak nahi pi hain. Maine life kabhi koi substance nahi ki hain. I don’t know what it is to be high.”

Shahid recalled what Abhishek told him, “But I think that as an actor, you can do this character, and I feel like if you put yourself to do it.”

The actor further said, “I actually went through a lot of doubt because I knew my friends who drink will ask, ‘Why did you do it when you don’t know things?’ I thought I would be embarrassed, and it would be bad for me. But I loved the script and I loved the character. Then eventually I told myself, ‘If I can do this, which I cannot relate to at all, If I can pull this off, then I think I will be fearless for the rest of my life as an actor because this is as far away from my reality as it possibly can be.’”

Shahid thought that it was a good opportunity to grow as an actor. He added, “And also, it’s a great role. I mean, if somebody else does it really well, I’ll look back and be like, ‘What a fool I was to let go of this opportunity,’ because how many roles like this get written? Usually, it’s just these nice guys who are running and doing all this.”

On the work front, Shahid Kapoor has multiple films lined up in his pipeline. He will next be seen in a sci-fi romance with Kriti Sanon, Aditya Nimbalkar’s Bull, and a remake of the 1964 film Woh Kaun Thi?. He has also reportedly signed Vashu Bhagnani’s next.
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