It is widely known how Shahid Kapoor made an unforgettable debut with Ishq Vishk (2003), winning hearts nationwide with his charm and exceptional dance moves. He quickly rose to fame with debut film and with the hits like Fida and Dil Maange More. Recently, Dil Maange More director Ananth Mahadevan shared a candid revelation about Shahid’s early career, noting that Shahid’s rapid rise in popularity led to harsh backlash with some claiming he was a competitor to Shah Rukh Khan’s established legacy
In a recent conversation with Siddharth Kannan, firstly the actor-director Ananth Mahadevan shared his experiences with criticism over his work, first recalling how he was initially criticized for making an erotic thriller with Emraan Hashmi and then the same critics praised the film after its release. Further he also talked about the similar challenging moment was faced with Dil Maange More.
Mahadevan explained, “Dil Maange More jab release hui thi, there was a campaign by journalists to rundown Shahid Kapoor”. When asked why, he added, “They did not want him, they thought he was a competitor to Shah Rukh Khan. It was literally written, ‘Who does he think he is? Who does Ananth Mahadevan think he is? He should stick to television, not films.’”
He mentioned how these statements were written in magazines and Mahadevan felt disheartened by the campaigns but mentioned that he didn’t let it impact him personally. While he felt Dil Maange More didn’t align fully with his artistic vision, he stood by Shahid Kapoor’s potential and appreciated his growth over the years.
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Despite the early criticism, Shahid Kapoor’s career only strengthened over time. He starred in films like Vivah, Chup Chup Ke, Jab We Met, and many more proving his talent and versatility. With Kaminey, Haider (for which he won a National Award), Shahid Kapoor further made his place in Bollywood!
On the work front, Shahid Kapoor is currently gearing up for his next release Deva directed by the Malayalam director Rosshan Andrrews and set to release on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2025.
Read on Lehren - ‘Shahid Kapoor Was Seen As Shah Rukh Khan’s Competitor And Faced Campaigns Against Him’: Ananth Mahadevan
source https://lehren.com/entertainment/bollywood/shahid-kapoor-was-seen-as-shah-rukh-khans-competitor-and-faced-campaigns-against-him-ananth-mahadevan/205442/