Shahid Kapoor Says He Has ‘Seen Physical Abuse As A Child’

Shahid Kapoor, in a new interview, once again addressed the criticism his film 'Kabir Singh' has received. He said that as someone who has witnessed ‘physical abuse as a child’, he understands the complaints that have been made against the film.

In an interaction with mid-day, Shahid said, “He’s a very cinematic character, it’s like Taxi Driver, like Scarface.”  Citing the example of how Devdas hits Paro, Shahid said that Preeti, played by Kiara Advani in the film, was the stronger character of the two. “I have seen physical abuse as a child, I know what you’re talking about,” Shahid said, acknowledging the ‘dysfunctional love story’ depicted in the film.

He continued, “I’m nothing like Kabir Singh in my real life. I don’t drink, I’m very family oriented, I would never have the guts to raise my hand on any woman, ever. I was brought up by my mother. But as an actor, I have to play different characters, and you don’t have to like them. You should like my performance.”

Shahid later spoke about the film's box office success and how people attitude changed. “I don’t like people who think their way is the right way, and everybody else is wrong. Just by virtue of that I don’t like those people, they’re sitting on some pedestal. Which is what happened when Kabir Singh came out, so many people refused to accept that people are liking the film. You didn’t like it, but people are liking it, so accept it. But some people find it difficult to… They think they’re superior, and other people are inferior, and inferior things are doing well because there are lesser intelligent people and more dumb people. They have some weird way of thinking,” he said, adding, “I feel they aren’t in touch with reality. You have to stay in touch with reality. What is working is working, if you can’t understand it, you’re falling short somewhere.”

He concluded, “Everybody deserves a second chance, even if they’re the most rubbish person… At no point was he said to be this great guy, but I guess, for some people, it becomes about right and wrong, but all kinds of things happen in life, and it’s okay, and we can show them.” Directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, Kabir Singh made more than Rs 350 crore worldwide, and remains Shahid’s highest-grossing film as a solo star.