Takes two to Tango

Shahid Kapoor

One of the fundamentals of an on-screen romantic offering, one would agree, must be the chemistry between the two lead characters. However, this spark, he says, is usually captured when two artistes share the screen, and may not be indicative of the relationship that they share when the cameras are turned off. "There is an x-factor that comes alive on camera. People think it may be there at all times, but that's not the case. Two people, who might have great chemistry on screen, may not look interesting once the camera is not on them. So, the camera has its own kind of universe, and, within it, sparks fly," says the actor who returns to the genre with Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, which pairs him alongside Kriti Sanon for the first time.

Kapoor, who has headlined several popular romantic films like Ishq Vishk (2003), Jab We Met (2007), and Kismat Konnection (2008), believes that on-screen chemistry can only elevate a film that's already strong on paper. "The writing is fundamental, because, regardless of the spark, people can shoulder a [weak] film only to a small extent. Chemistry should be the icing on the cake, not the cake itself." Kapoor will follow up the breezy love story with an action outing, Deva, directed by Malayalam filmmaker Rosshan Andrrews. "I am playing a raw, rugged and rustic character. It releases in October. Shooting for it has been exciting."