Latest news with #ShahidKapoor
Hans India
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Six years on, Sandeep Reddy Vanga marks ‘Kabir Singh' anniversary with gratitude and reflection
Filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga took to social media on June 21 to commemorate six years since the release of Kabir Singh, the polarizing blockbuster that redefined Bollywood's approach to romantic storytelling. Sharing a nostalgic poster of Kiara Advani soaked in Holi colors, Vanga captioned the post with a simple message: 'Thanks for the love, 6 years for Kabir,' tagging lead actor Shahid Kapoor, music composers, and producers. Released on June 21, 2019, Kabir Singh was the Hindi adaptation of Vanga's own Telugu cult hit Arjun Reddy. While the film courted significant controversy for its depiction of toxic masculinity and emotional volatility, it simultaneously achieved staggering commercial success. Grossing over $40 million worldwide, it became the ninth highest-grossing Indian film of its time. Shahid Kapoor's portrayal of Kabir, a hot-headed surgeon spiraling into self-destruction after heartbreak, drew both critical acclaim and backlash. Despite the polarizing reactions, Kapoor earned a Filmfare nomination, and the film ultimately shifted the perception of romantic heroes in Hindi cinema—from idealized lovers to flawed, emotionally charged individuals. Kabir Singh's continued relevance owes much to its availability on streaming platforms like Netflix, where it continues to attract both new viewers and fresh debate. A 2023 University of Mumbai study cited the film as a turning point that challenged conventional romantic narratives, placing inner turmoil and psychological complexity at the heart of its story. As Vanga prepares for upcoming projects like Animal, his acknowledgment of Kabir Singh's anniversary underscores the film's enduring legacy. Love it or loathe it, Kabir Singh remains a cultural touchstone—provocative, impactful, and very much a part of India's cinematic conversation.
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
How learning to shoot taught Shahid Kapoor a lesson about life
Shahid Kapoor revealed a life-altering lesson learned while training in shooting. Initially wanting a real firearm, he practiced with an air gun, struggling until his coach advised focusing on breathing and process, not the target. This counterintuitive approach led to bullseyes, teaching Kapoor that a correct process naturally yields the desired result. Shahid Kapoor has always been known for his versatility — from intense roles in Kaminey, Haider and Kabir Singh to light-hearted entertainers like Jab We Met. But beyond his on-screen persona, the actor shared an unexpected and deeply personal lesson he picked up while learning how to shoot, one that ended up changing the way he approaches both his craft and life. Exclusive | Kajol CANDID On Horror Fears and Son Yug's Voice Debut In 'Karate Kids: Legends' In a candid interaction with Pinkvilla, Shahid recounted how he once decided on a whim that he wanted to learn shooting. 'You know, there's a thought that comes to mind — I want to do this. So I was like, let's do this,' he said. He found a seasoned coach, someone who had not only taught at a national level but also competed there. Eager to hold a real firearm, Shahid was initially taken aback when his coach handed him an air gun instead. 'I was like, air gun? I want to hold a real gun. What is this air gun?' he admitted with a laugh. But trusting the process, he agreed. Inside an indoor facility, Shahid began practicing with tiny pellets so light that even a hint of wind could alter their path. To his surprise, his shots were wildly off-target. Frustrated, Shahid asked his coach what he was doing wrong. The advice he received wasn't just about shooting — it was about life. 'He asked me what I was looking at. I said, 'the target.' He told me, 'I want you to focus on your breathing. Focus on firing the gun without moving your hand. Don't look at the target.'' Following this seemingly counterintuitive advice, Shahid noticed a remarkable difference. 'Every time I focused on the process, I hit the bullseye. It was like magic,' he shared. That moment, for Shahid, became a metaphor for life. 'If you follow the process the way it is meant to be, the result is a natural outcome. You cannot get it wrong. It's math. But if you focus only on the result, your brain is not on what it should be focusing focus on the process. The result has to happen if your process is right.' Shahid will be next seen in Vishal Bharadwaj's Arjun Ustraa with Triptii Dimri, he also has the second season of Farzi in the pipeline along with Cocktail 2 with Rashmika Mandanna and Kriti Sanon .
Indian Express
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Bestsellers behind the box office: 5 books that made Bollywood history
(Written by Somya Panwar) Lights! Camera! Literature! Over the years, Indian cinema has drawn inspiration from literature and transitioned the audience from readership to viewership by giving us some hit book-to-movie adaptations. This collaboration of Bollywood and literature has made it more convenient to absorb the plot through visuals. These films not only widen the scope of literature but offer a unique blend of cinema and books. Let's explore five such adaptations that made their way to the silver screen: Haider (2014), a cult classic by Vishal Bharadwaj, reimagines Hamlet, Shakespeare's five-act revenge tragedy against the the politically charged backdrop of conflict-ridden Kashmir. If movie-goers found the film politically resonant, the credit reportedly goes to the film's poet-lyricist Gulzar as the film had earlier been conceived as an espionage thriller. Much like the tortured Prince Hamlet, Haider, – essayed by Shahid Kapoor – returns to the restive valley upon learning of his father's disappearance to confront his uncle, whom he suspects of foul play. Irrfan Khan, playing Hamlet's Ghost (Roohdaar), masterfully haunts both Haider and the audience, as he seeks justice. Tabu is dazzling as Haider's mother (Gertrude), while Kay Kay Menon does justice to the formidable and slippery Khurram (Claudius). Unlike Shakespeare's Hamlet, who delivers seven soliloquies, Haider distills this inner turmoil in just one: 'Hum hain ki hum nahin' ('To be or not to be'). Bhardwaj's Haider is the final installment in his acclaimed Shakespearean trilogy, following Maqbool (2003), inspired by Macbeth, and Omkara (2006), based on Othello. Each film masterfully transposes Shakespeare's themes of ambition, jealousy, and revenge into the Indian socio-political landscape. Shahid Kapoor's performance in the titular role is widely regarded as one of his finest, earning him accolades including the National Film Award, Filmfare Award for Best Actor, and the IIFA Technical Award. With evocative cinematography and an emotionally charged narrative, Haider captures the existential anguish and moral conflict at the heart of Hamlet, while grounding it firmly in the reality of modern Kashmir. Despite its slightly extended runtime, the film maintains narrative momentum and emotional depth throughout. Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariya (2008) is a lavish and stylised cinematic adaptation of White Nights, a short story by 19th-century Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky. Bhansali reimagines Dostoevsky's tale of unfulfilled love and emotional isolation within the grand framework of Bollywood, casting Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor in the lead roles. Through his protagonist who yearns for love, Bhansali remains faithful to Dostoevsky's recurring themes of self-destruction and human alienation, distilling the essence of White Nights on the big screen. Despite its impressive visuals and music, the film falls short on emotional depth due to an impoverished plot. Despite its lack of commercial success, the film remains a guilty pleasure for cinema enthusiasts who admire Sanjay Leela Bhansali's lavish and larger-than-life direction. A perfect title that resonates with the identity crisis, a brilliant cast that strengthens the narrative, and music that evokes a sense of belonging, Mira Nair adapted Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Jhumpa Lahiri's novel with remarkable finesse. The Namesake, starring Irrfan Khan and Tabu in lead roles dwells on the complexities of the immigrant experience and is best known for exploring themes of cultural displacement and love through her body of work. The film's script reflects Lahiri's literary style, providing a faithful representation of her voice. The film explores, with great sensitivity, the cultural and social conflicts that come with an identity crisis—particularly for the children of immigrant parents. Mira Nair, known for her cinematic explorations of similar cultural themes, adeptly blends her directorial approach with Lahiri's nuanced storytelling. The protagonist, ashamed of his American-Desi identity, struggles to adapt to a foreign lifestyle and resents his parents for their cultural imposition. Nair aimed to portray a more empathetic and humanised version of Gogo, the protagonist, and her effort to capture this sense of 'in-betweenness' translates to the screen. Vishal Bhardwaj's 7 Khoon Maaf is an adaptation of Ruskin Bond's classic short story Susanna's Seven Husbands. The plot follows the mysterious deaths of all seven of Susanna's husbands, holding the audience's attention with a suspenseful, well-constructed narrative. Recognising the story's cinematic potential, Bhardwaj expanded the script, giving each character adequate screen time. The film integrates the seven deadly sins from Roman Catholic theology, aligning closely with Bond's original vision. However, despite these creative choices, the film's overdramatised execution and heavy-handed use of music undermined its impact, affecting its box office performance. Several actors, including Ruskin Bond himself, made a cameo in the film. Try to spot him if you watch the film! Guide, directed by Vijay Anand, is a cinematic interpretation of RK Narayan's celebrated novel of the same name. Narayan, one of India's most respected authors, is best known for creating the fictional town of Malgudi. In 1964, Dev Anand approached Narayan to acquire the film rights for The Guide. Though the film went on to achieve both critical and commercial success, Narayan initially had reservations about major changes made to the plot, which he felt deviated from the spirit of his novel. When Dev Anand offered him a modest financial arrangement and a share of the profits, Narayan famously declined, saying, 'Let me rise or sink with your film. I do not want to exploit you.' Despite these early concerns, Guide went on to receive numerous awards and accolades, including an Oscar nomination. The film's rich visuals and linguistic elegance set a new benchmark in Bollywood's cinematic landscape, and continues to be revered as a landmark in Indian film history. (The writer is an intern with The Indian Express.)
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
9 Years Of Tommy Singh: Shahid Kapoor Celebrates ‘Udta Punjab'
IANS / Jun 18, 2025, 04:38PM IST Marking 9 years since the release of Udta Punjab, Shahid Kapoor reflected on his bold role as the troubled rockstar Tommy Singh. Sharing a special post online, the actor called it one of the most transformative characters of his career. Known for pushing the envelope with every performance, Shahid credited Tommy for helping shape his artistic journey and thanked fans for keeping the legacy alive.
NDTV
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
9 Years Of Udta Punjab: Shahid Kapoor Says "Flawed" Characters Are "In Fashion" Now
New Delhi: Udta Punjab led by Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Alia Bhatt, and Diljit Dosanjh completes 9 years today. The Abhishek Chaubey directorial was about the drug abuse issue that the youth population in Punjab find themselves embroiled in. On its 9th anniversary, Shahid Kapoor took to Instagram to express his gratitude for playing yet another flawed character, which seems to be in fashion now. What's Happening Shahid Kapoor took to his Instagram, to share a note on his film Udta Punjab completing 9 years. The post read, "Another special character. Another one of the flawed protagonists that I always loved to play. They seem to be in fashion now. Thank you @abhishekchaubey, @anuragkashyap10, @motwayne, Vikas Bahl and the entire team for making this journey so special. And of course. Drug's di maa di." Shahid shared a picture of his onscreen character in the film - Tommy aka Gabru, flaunting his "born to fly" tattoo. Mira Rajput reacted to the post, as she commented, "Tommy calling." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shahid Kapoor (@shahidkapoor) Fan Reactions Shahid Kapoor's fans flooded the comments section with love, as they said, "You were so bloody good as Tommy." Another fan added, "# Udtapunjab, cult movie. Looking forward to # UdtaPunjab2." Another internet user wrote, "Before Kabir Singh, this is real goat." Shahid Kapoor's Upcoming Films Shahid Kapoor was last seen in Deva by Rosshan Andrrews, and Pooja Hegde was the female lead. The actor has an interesting lineup to look forward to with Farzi 2 and Vishal Bhardwaj's Arjun Ustara with Triptii Dimri. In A Nutshell As Abhishek Chaubey's Udta Punjab completed 9 years today, Shahid Kapoor who played Tommy aka Gabru shared an Instagram post on the same. He mentioned how it is yet another flawed character of his, and they are in fashion right now.
