After the crime drama Kaminey in 2009, Shahid Kapoor and Vishal Bhardwaj collaborated again in 2014 for the political drama Haider, set in Kashmir and based on William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The actor was highly praised for his perfomance as the titular character and went on to win his first and only Filmfare Award for Best Actor till date.

In a recent interview, Shahid Kapoor revealed that he did Haider for free and the reason behind his decision. Talking to Anupama Chopra, the actor said, “They couldn’t afford me. They said if they had to pay me, then the budget of the film wouldn’t get sanctioned because it was a very experimental subject. They really didn’t know if it would land at all but it was a very compelling kind of product to make and so I said, ‘Yeah, I will do it for free’.” 

When the Farzi actor was asked if he has acted in any of his other projects without taking his fees, he stated, “t was only time I did it. It just happened at that time”, and laughingly added, “Ghar bhi chalana hai (I have to take care of my household as well).” 
Also starring Tabu, Kay Kay Menon, Shraddha Kapoor, and Irrfan Khan, Haider has been one of the most critically acclaimed films in the last decade. The film also received five National Film Awards – Best Screenplay and Best Music Direction to Vishal Bhardwaj, Best Male Playback Singer to Sukhwinder Singh for Bismil, Best Choreography to Sudesh Adhana for Bismil, and Best Costume Design to Dolly Ahluwalia.

Meanwhile, Shahid Kapoor wil be seen next in an untitled romantic drama with Kriti Sanon. The film, directed by Amit Joshi and Aradhana Sah and produced by Dinesh Vijan, Jyoti Deshpande, and Laxman Utekar, is slated to release in the theatres on December 7 this year.

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