Tommy Singh is the craziest character I’ve played: Shahid Kapoor

Shahid Kapoor on the challenges of playing an addict, while being a teetotaller, and why he’s optimistic about Udta Punjab.

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This is the craziest character I’ve played, and the only crazier character I have seen on screen is the Joker from The Dark Knight, says Shahid Kapoor.

What sort of person is Tommy Singh, your character in Udta Punjab?

Tommy is obnoxious, rude, badly behaved. You will hear a lot of expletives from him, and he is everything that will turn you off. But my brief from my director (Abhishek Chaubey) was that Tommy will do everything wrong in the first five minutes, but end of the fifth minute, everyone should love him. I had no idea how to manage that (laughs). But the response that I’ve got from viewers after they watched the promo has led me to be optimistic. Basically, he’s a guy who will entertain you, but you can’t take him seriously. You enjoy watching him and his antics; he is a bit of an exhibitionist. This is the craziest character I’ve played, and the only crazier character I have seen on screen is the Joker from The Dark Knight. The only difference is that the Joker seems to have no humanity, while Tommy is really just a kid who is lost in his addiction.

There has been talk that Tommy is based on Honey Singh.

No, this character is not based on anyone. It is a very original character. Of course, we have all seen many stars who fall into the same category as Tommy Singh, people who have led brazen lives, and been addicts. But as far as Tommy is concerned, this is a not a silhouette that has been seen before.

What did the prep for this role involve?

No food, and three hours of training every day for three months; I had to look starved. Tommy is a huge star, so he needs to have that personality, but he also needs to look like an addict. Then during the shoot, I had to spend two hours every day for putting on and removing the tattoos, and of course, the long hair with streaks in them. That’s for the physical part. The mental part was much tougher, because I had to get inside the head of this guy who is an addict, while I have never even had any alcohol, forget any other kind of substance. I’ve never even been high. It was an insecure journey, and I did feel very challenged.

Were you excited about working with Abhishek Chaubey, whose previous films — Ishqiya and Dedh Ishqiya — were both critically acclaimed?

I have definitely liked Abhishek’s previous work. I remember when my father was working with Vishal (Bhardwaj) on Maqbool, he told me that there’s this very bright guy called Abhishek, who is assisting him. That remark always stayed with me. And then, one day Abhishek and I met, and he narrated the story of Udta Punjab. In our first meeting itself, I was on board. It wasn’t something I had planned or thought through.

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What do you think went wrong with your last film, Shandaar?

It was just a bad film. I don’t think it was up to the mark. The narrative was incoherent and so the audience just couldn’t get it.

You will be a father soon. Are you excited or scared?

Yes, definitely very excited. I wouldn’t say I’m scared, really, but yeah, it feels a little like waiting for something really big to happen.

Pooja Pillai

Pooja Pillai is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, working with the National Editorial and Opinion section. Her work frequently explores the intersection of society, culture and technology. Editorial Focus & Expertise Pooja’s writing spans several key domains, often blending analytical commentary with cultural critique. Art & Culture: She writes extensively on cinema, books, and the evolving landscape of arts and entertainment. Technology & Society: Her work examines the human impact of the gig economy, the rise of AI in creative fields, and the cultural shifts driven by digital platforms. Food & Lifestyle: She often uses food as a lens to explore history and politics, covering everything from the origins of pantry essentials to the impact of nutrition policy. Politics: She closely tracks political developments in South and West India and provides commentary on international political transitions, including the shifting landscape of American politics. Multimedia & Podcasting Pooja is a prominent voice in the Indian Express’s digital ecosystem. She is the host of 'DeshKaal with Yogendra Yadav', weekly video podcast where she facilitates deep-dive conversations on Indian democracy, social movements, and current political affairs. Notable Recent Works Cinema & Identity: “SRK@60: Why Shah Rukh Khan is Bollywood's last, and only, superstar” – an analysis of stardom and the changing face of Indian identity Global Politics: Commentary on the Trump administration’s misguided “war on woke culture” via typography and analysis of the visual semiotics of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s attire during successive visits to the White House. Art & AI: “An unequal music: AI is lowering barriers at the cost of music itself” – a critique of how technology is redefining artistic value. Professional Presence Pooja is active on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, where she shares her latest columns and editorial insights. Her full archive and latest updates can be found on her Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More

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