Celebrating the underrated comic genius of Shahid Kapoor!

Lately, the internet has been a bit unkind to Shahid Kapoor over his comments on who should be critiquing an artist with regards to O Romeo. Although the comments were taken out of context, social media was quick to throw unfair judgements. But if we peel back the layer of negativity and trolling and look at the actor’s journey, a different picture emerges. This star-actor didn’t walk into filmmakers’ offices with a silver spoon, but started as a background dancer, hustled his way to the top, and has stayed relevant for over two decades in an industry as cut-throat as Bollywood. 

Over the years, the actor has meant different things to different people. Hopeless romantics like me still fawn over Prem from Vivah or secretly hope of bumping into our Adityas on a train trip to our hometown. A conversation with equally crazy film enthusiasts growing up in the 90s will tell you about how he charmed the youth with his innocent boy next door smile and effortless dance moves in indie music videos like the superhit Aankhon Mein Tera Hi Chehra by Aryans and and the ever-iconic romantic comedy Ishq Vishk, before he truly stepped into the big league as a leading man.Those soft, dreamy expressions in the videos, the fresh-faced energy had made every teenage heart skip a beat, officially making him the guy we all wanted to fall in love with on screen! And now, while the world is busy debating his angry young man phase with Kabir Singh, Farzi and Deva, we need to talk about something that often gets overlooked- the effortless comedy Kapoor brings to the screen.

Also Read: O Romeo review: A Vishal Bhardwaj coded film that misses his Shakespearean touch!

Here’s proof!

Watching Kapoor play Jeetu, an underprivileged man pretending to be mute in Chup Chup Ke is pure bliss. A masterclass in physical comedy, the film still dominates TV re-runs and has given Gen Z some legendary meme templates. The actor not only shone in scenes featuring sign conversations with comedy stalwarts Rajpal Yadav, Paresh Rawal and Shakti Kapoor, but was equally iconic in his scenes with Neha Dhupia, where Jeetu’s mask of the mute victim wears off and he shows her who the OG gangster is, doing wonders to this masterpiece of absurdity! 

It is arguably the hardest job in comedy to be the ‘normal’ one opposite a character as flamboyant as Geet (Kareena Kapoor Khan). Anyone else might have got lost in her shadow but Kapoor as Aditya, provided their chemistry the perfect grounding in the film. His subtle humor, exasperated glances, and deadpan one-liners added to the magic of the Imtiyaz Ali classic. And his slow transition from a brooding business tycoon to a man who can finally take it easy, and laugh at the chaos of life was truly heartwarming with a dash of hilarity of course!

Kaminey is often remembered as a thriller which was gritty, clever, and politically dark but let’s not overlook how Kapoor elevated the Vishal Bharadwaj saga by displaying his penchant for comedy through character quirks. The actor impressed the critics and audience alike with his innocent looking sensitive Guddu and the subtly menacing Charlie- twin brothers who lisped and stuttered respectively, pulling off situational humor without making it caricaturish. 

While the actor can confidently boast about being bold with his film choices and never chasing set formulas, we absolutely loved his over-the-top energy in the massy action-comedies of Prabhu Deva and Rajkumar Santoshi. Channeling his inner Govinda in films like R... Rajkumar andPhata Poster Nikhla Hero respectively, the actor proved he can handle the loud, single-screen characters with as much ease and class as he takes on his unconventional roles where he didn’t mind being silly for the jokes. 

Then came YRF's Badmash Company, where his regular urban over-ambitious Karan, turned the film into a merry viewing with his sleek and laid back conversational comedy, where his smirks and winks were absolute winners! The banter between him and his gang was relatable, sharp and despite a dash of narcissism stole our hearts.  

Even in his more recent work, like Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, Kapoor brought back that fresh, slick comic energy we’ve always loved. Playing the confused, totally bewildered human who’s slowly falling for a robot came across as a delightful throwback to his classic loverboy charm, something that we’ll always remember him for!

Which is your favorite Shahid Kapoor film? Tell us in the comments below! 

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