Shahid Kapoor opened up recently about his journey in films and taking risks in order to keep doing distinct roles. The actor will be seen playing a cop in his next Deva, which is directed by acclaimed Malayalam filmmaker Rosshan Andrrews and also stars Pooja Hegde.

Sharing his thoughts on cinema and storytelling, Shahid said, “Cinema is not just about laughter and songs. Of course, entertainment is essential—you need to give people a great time. But at its core, cinema is about storytelling. And in a story, the central character doesn’t always have to be the simplest, nicest guy. That would get boring after a while. I’ve been working for 21 years now, and if I had just kept doing the same thing over and over again, this room would be empty—you’d all say, ‘Shahid, koi nahi aaya (There was no Shahid).’”

He added that it is important to take risks and try newer things in order to keep people engaged. “Cinema is an art form, and while audiences may not always realize it, it’s the artistry that keeps them captivated. They might come in expecting something light or predictable, but what truly holds them for two and a half hours is the story, the characters, the emotions, the relationships, the complexities, and the unexpected moments. That’s what makes cinema raw, pure, and unadulterated in its most amazing form.”

Deva will be released in theatres on January 31. Shahid also has Vishal Bhardwaj’s next thriller in the pipeline, which stars Triptii Dimri alongside him.