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'I am still a struggling actor'

We all know that Shahid Kapoor is a terrific dancer but his dance has never been showcased well in the movies. Now, finally, comes a film that will show the world just how good a dancer this former dance teacher at Shaimak Davar's dance classes is.

Shahid plays a struggling actor in Ken Ghosh's Chance Pe Dance. The film co-stars Genelia.

He tells Patcy N how similar the film is to his own life.

What can we expect from Chance Pe Dance?

Chance Pe Dance is a young film. The story is very real. It is about people from a middle class family and their struggle to do something in an entertaining and simple way.

'Anybody who has struggled in life will relate to the film'

Tell us about your character.

I play a struggling actor. I did not have to look at any other actor to prepare for the role, as I have struggled a lot. In many ways, I am still a struggling actor. I'm still struggling to be better as an actor, and land roles. Ken Ghosh had first rejected me (during Ishq Vishk). Later, he realised his mistake and now, we have worked in three films together.

Will audiences be able to relate to the film?

Anybody who has struggled in life will relate to it. Usually, the common man cannot relate to our films but here, we have tried our best to connect with people who have struggled -- like people who don't have money to pay their rent or electricity bills, people who have second-hand cars but no money for fuel, or people who cannot afford to go to restaurants and have vada pav.

Everyone has to face rejection at some point until you get that first big break. This film is a journey of that struggle before he lands his first break. We have showed this in an entertaining way.

'I don't think money has anything to do with style'

Even though you play a struggler, you wear designer clothes.

Today's youth -- whether they are rich or poor -- have a sense of style. Ten years ago, when I went to college, I felt that whatever I wore was the coolest outfit. And my budget then was Rs 200. So I don't think money has anything to do with style.

Tell us about your terrific dance moves in the film.

I love dancing. I think it is an expression of happiness, and being high on life.

In this film, we have tried to a new kind of dance called crumping, which is very famous abroad. Film choreographer Marty Kudelka, who has done two songs in the film, brought this dance to India. I have tried my best to do a good job. 

Ahmed Khan has choreographed the other songs. He has introduced new dance styles too.

'I have spend one night in a car in real life'

You spent a night in a car with Genelia, in one of the marketting promotions of the film.

There is a portion in the film where my character Sunil lives in a car, as he does not have money to pay rent.

And this has happened to me in real life. Fortunately, it was just one night.

This idea came from the marketting team of the film. I thought it was a cute idea, so I did it.

'Ken Ghosh's greatest strength is that when he makes a film, it is very real'

Why do you think the audience will be attracted to Chance Pe Dance?

I wish I can take my name (laughs) but nothing is sure these days. The film's simplicity should attract people.

Ken Ghosh's greatest strength is that when he makes a film, it is very real. Like when we made our first film Ishq Vishk, we shot it in a real college campus with real students. We spoke dialogues that we would normally use with our friends. Likewise, you can relate with this film too.