Shahid Kapoor: We were cheering for ‘Sooryavanshi’ so we all can release our films

Bollywood star Shahid Kapoor on Tuesday said he was pinning his hopes on “Sooryavanshi” to do well in cinema halls so that the Akshay Kumar-starrer could pave the way for other movies to be released in theatres. Shahid was last seen on the big screen in 2019’s blockbuster “Kabir Singh”. He is awaiting the release of “Jersey” which got delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic. The actor said he, along with the team of “Jersey”, was “cheering” for “Sooryavanshi” and is thrilled to see the audience returning to the theatres.

“… We all just wanted that the film should do well and that the business kick-starts again, so we all can release our films. It is great to see that films are back in theatres and congratulations to ‘Sooryavanshi’ for having the guys to go out there and be the first in line, it is not easy to do that,” Kapoor told reporters here at the trailer launch of “Jersey”.

Directed by Rohit Shetty, “Sooryavanshi” was the first major Hindi film to be released in theatres after Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray announced the reopening of cinema halls in the state from October 22. The film, also starring Katrina Kaif, opened during the Diwali weekend (on November 5) and saw an overwhelming response at the domestic box office minting Rs 180.47 cr in 18 days of the release.

Shahid, 40, said it was a difficult time for everyone when the cinema halls were shut. “Having shops shut for almost two years, thinking about what’s going to happen was a very scary feeling. This film is about the winning human spirit, so it has a great context for the times today. It is even more relevant today than it was when we started shooting it,” he said.

Shahid said he is delighted to be back to the theatres with “Jersey”. “It is amazing to be back in a theatre and celebrate cinema in the place where we all should. I don’t think we will ever lose the charm and love for cinema. Content is travelling to many different places now but this (cinema halls) will never go away,” he added.

“Jersey” is a remake of the Telugu movie of the same name. It chronicles the story of a talented but failed cricketer (Shahid), who decides to return to the field in his late 30s driven by the desire to represent the Indian cricket team and fulfil his son’s wish for a jersey as a gift.

Gowtam Tinnanauri, who helmed the 2019 original starring Nani, has also directed the Hindi version. Tinnanauri said the basic idea behind “Jersey” was to narrate the story of the “people around us” whose success is not celebrated.

“I wrote the story six years ago which was that we always draw inspiration from the success of people or a successful event. I feel true inspiration should come from true spirit to be successful, that’s how the idea of the story started. The people who try hard to be successful could be our father, sister or friend…” the director said.

Actor Mrunal Thakur will be seen playing Kapoor’s wife in the film. Thakur, who is basking in the glory of “Dhamaka” success, said the aim for her has always been about collaborating with good people.

“For me, the aim is not success but the journey and this is what the film is about. I wanted to experience what it is to be an actor and share screen with wonderful actors like Shahid Kapoor, Pankaj Kapur sir,” she added.

Also starring veteran actor Pankaj Kapur in a pivotal role, “Jersey” is presented by Allu Arvind and backed by Aman Gill, Dil Raju, S Naga Vamsi. The film will be released in cinema halls on December 31, 2021.