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‘Once upon a Friday in 2003, there came a movie ‘Ishq Vishk’ and gave the Indian film industry another chocolate boy by the name of Shahid Kapoor. And a Thursday in 2014 gave it an actor.’
The chocolate boy, then, went on to bag awards for his debut flick and people compared him with the evergreen chocolate hero of the industry – Shah Rukh Khan. He, actually, did resemble King Khan in his looks, acting and especially the choice of movies. But barring ‘Shikhar’ with Ajay Devgn, none of them acclaimed critical respect, leave alone audience’s love.
Through many duds and few hits like Sooraj Barjatya’s ‘Vivaah’, Imtiaz Ali’s ‘Jab We Met’ and Vishal Bharadwaj’s ‘Kaminey’, Shahid Kapoor managed to hold his fort in the Indian film industry.
Last year’s ‘R Rajkumar’ brought a much needed respite to this actor’s career and a lot was pinned on the recently released ‘Haider’.
One word for ‘Haider’ – One can be disappointed with the kind of cinema that’s running nowadays in India; depressed too. And then one day, ‘Haider’, with all its darkness and craft, arrives on the screen. ‘Haider’ happens to complete Vishal Bharadwaj’s Shakespearen trilogy. The adaptation of Shakespeare’s play ‘Hamlet’, ‘Haider’ needed a nuanced actor to portray ‘the most confused character of modern literature’.
Vishal Bharadwaj calls Shahid ‘the most talented actor of his times’, and adds that he needs to tap that talent. It’s quite coincidental that he is the only filmmaker who has been able to do this, till now.
When Shahid was chosen to play ‘Haider’, few would have expected him to carry off this role with elan. But to many’s surprise, the actor has nailed his part and how! In Irrfan Khan’s words, Shahid Kapoor doesn’t emerge as an actor in ‘Haider’; he erupts with a tremendous force. Shahid’s co-star in the movie took to Twitter to express this.
@shahidkapoor in haider doesn’t emerge as n actor he rather erupts with tremendous force. A new chapter begins from here onwards .
— IrrfanK (@irrfan_k) September 29, 2014
‘Haider’, which released this Thursday, has taken the whole industry by storm. Filmstars, filmmakers and critics can’t stop raving about the movie and about Shahid Kapoor, who plays the titular role in the movie. These celebrities are taking to Twitter to appreciate what the talented actor has achieved with this role. Farhan Akhtar was the first one to tweet his IIFA co-host ‘Pappu’. And ‘Pappu’ thanked his ‘Raju’.
I’m loving the music of Haider. Vishal B & Gulzar Saab in their element. All the best to the team & to my dearest Pappu @shahidkapoor
— Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) September 29, 2014
Ali Zafar, who was amongst the first ones to watch the movie, has tweeted:
@AliZafarsays thank you so much mere bhai so happy you liked it
— sHAhID kapooR (@shahidkapoor) September 29, 2014
Ayushmann Khurrana also expressed his admiration.
Just saw “Haider”. One rarely gets to c such a strong film with such strong performances. @shahidkapoor your best till date. Bravo brother.
— Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) September 29, 2014
Huma Qureshi had also tweeted after the special screening.
Saw it last night #Haider still haunts me @shahidkapoor at his besttt! So many moments ..The last scene bt him and #Tabu stuck in my head.
— Huma Qureshi (@humasqureshi) September 30, 2014
Director Anubhav Sinha had also praised Shahid.
Some films you feel proud that you know people who made it. Vishal Proud of you man. Tabu and @irrfan_k I love you Both. Shahid’s Best. WOW
— Anubhav Sinha (@anubhavsinha) October 2, 2014
Not only these stars, who were invited to the special screening, but also other actors who have watched the movie aren’t shying away from approving of Shahid’s acting.
Filmmaker Karan Johar watched the movie last night and tweeted.
@shahidkapoor delivers his career best and plays #haider to emotional perfection..tabu is extraordinary and reminds us of her genius again!!
— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) October 5, 2014
Varun Dhawan also posted on twitter.
Just watched haider. What a cinematic film with brilliant performances by @shahidkapoor @ShraddhaKapoor and tabu and super b&g
— Varun Dhawan (@Varun_dvn) October 5, 2014
@shahidkapoor done haider
— Varun Dhawan (@Varun_dvn) October 5, 2014
As already iterated in the previous articles, the days of the rivalry among the movie stars are gone. And now is the era of ‘Bang Bang dares’. Hrithik Roshan dared almost half of the Bollywood in his quest of promoting his recently released – ‘Bang Bang’. The point to be noted here is ‘Bang Bang’ released on the same day as ‘Haider’. And that didn’t stop him from daring Shahid.
When d power of love wins over love of power! My #bangbangdare 2 @shahidkapoor n myself is…you will watch bb n I will watch haider 1st day
— Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) October 1, 2014
Hrithik had dared Shahid to watch ‘Bang Bang’ on the first day while he himself would watch ‘Haider’. The dare was completed from both sides.
Also read – Hrithik Roshan finally dares Shahid Kapoor, and what a dare it is
@iHrithik here is the bangbangdare completed. 5 4 3 2 1 #haidare .. Your turn.. http://t.co/PnwKVmY46i
— sHAhID kapooR (@shahidkapoor) October 2, 2014
Abe urs ended later! #bangbangdare accomplished!! N must say what a pleasurable dare it was! Well done team haider! pic.twitter.com/etQLnFgCL6
— Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) October 2, 2014
Upon watching ‘Haider’, Hrithik took to the microblogging site and appreciated Shahid’s portrayal of the emotionally upheavaled character in the movie.
@shahidkapoor kya kaam Kiya hai tune mere dost! Mindblowing. D 1st scene whr your bald, bismil song ws cinematic genius! Loved u!Brrilliant!
— Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) October 3, 2014
Sonakshi Sinha also liked her ‘R Rajkumar’ co-star in the movie.
Watched Haider yest! Amazed by all the performances, @shahidkapoor‘s monologue and #bismil being the highlights of the film! Well done :)
— Sonakshi Sinha (@sonakshisinha) October 6, 2014
Director Abhishek Kapoor also praised Shahid.
master craftsman #vishalbhardwaj is in his element. Supreme cast. @shahidkapoor has nailed the part, hes the cherry on the cake #Haider
— Abhishek Kapoor (@Abhishekapoor) September 30, 2014
Actress Rhea Chakraborty also praised Pankaj Kapur’s son and gave him a supreme compliment.
Saw #Haider last night,@shahidkapoor has killed it.. Pankaj Kapoor genes are showing up.. Film is a must watch .. Poetry in motion . Big hug
— Rhea Chakraborty (@Tweet2Rhea) October 5, 2014
With admiration and love pouring in from all quarters, Shahid Kapoor is, certainly, riding high. ‘Bang Bang’ might be doing much better than ‘Haider’ as far as the moolah is concerned, but ‘Haider’ will surely help Shahid steer his way back to the top.
Read – Shahid Kapoor’s ‘Haider’: Why you must watch this Vishal Bhardwaj film
From the chocolate boy of ‘Ishq Vishk’ to the emotionally drenched and almost driven to the point of insanity ‘Haider’, Shahid has, indeed, come a long way. One can only feel happy that he didn’t commit the professional harakiri that he was on the verge of and, but, hope that he takes wiser decisions, now hence, and continue enthralling us with such performances.
Amen!
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