Having finished all his assignments the actor has no projects on hand at the moment besides his dad's film Mausam. A timely visit to papa Pankaj Kapoor's spiritual guru in the hills has shown Shahid the virtues of stillness in an otherwise-overactive lifestyle.
Says Shahid, "All I can say is, faith makes all things possible.That's why it's called a leap of faith. I was working 20 hours a day till the 20th of January. I was working insanely. When I woke up on the 21st I had no work to go to.
Initially I felt a sense of freedom. Then immediately it was followed by panic...what do I do with myself? I've become an insomniac and started tweeting at 4 am.I don't feel tired. I feel I haven't earned the right to rest.And I don't know what to do with myself!"
However there is the upside. "Everytime I've sat at home without work it has worked for my career. I did it before Vivah and before Jab We Met."
Shahid will be doing only one film in 2010, and that is his Dad Pankaj Kapoor's Mausam.He will serve as a hands- on technician, spotboy whatever...for his dad's project.
"While I'm being directed by my Dad I'd like to learn in every department. I want to learn about cinematography, choreography and direction. Most of all I'd learn a lot about acting from my Dad.I want to try and absorb from him ."
The thought of acting in front of his father petrifies Shahid. "It's a very scary thought. But in life you've to face challenges. Of course there's anxiety and fear about acting in front of my father. I quite often think I've given a decent performance. And then when I hold a trial show for my father all the confidence crumbles."
Shahid remembers a nightmarish incident when he had to act in front of the great Pankaj Kapoor. " I remember this one time when we were shooting for Jab We Met near Khandala.
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Explaining his reason for staying away from all other projects Shahid says, "It's a film very close to my heart because after 35 years of acting, Dad is finally directing a film After being the best actor in the country (that's what I believe him to be) he has decided to make a film with me in the lead because he wants to project me in a certain way.
It's a huge sacrifice for someone who does so little work as an actor. The least I can do is to be there unconditionally for him during the time that he makes the film."
To prepare for Mausam Shahid needs to go train as pilot at a military academy.
Says Shahid, "I don't want to reveal right now what all I'll be doing. But yes, I do play an airforce pilot. But if you think I'll learn how to fly a plane for the film then all I can say is, I haven't reached that stage of madness."