Shahid Kapoor delivered one of his career-best performances in Kabir Singh, the Hindi adaptation of Arjun Reddy, which became a massive box office hit and a defining moment in his film journey. The film not only showcased his intense acting prowess but also cemented his place as one of Bollywood’s most versatile stars. Recently, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, who helmed Kabir Singh, shared an unexpected opinion about Shahid’s career choices.

Arjun Reddy and Kabir Singh director, Sandeep Reddy Vanga advised Shahid Kapoor to steer clear of remakes. It may sound puzzling, considering Kabir Singh was itself a remake and played a crucial role in Shahid’s success. But the director shared his reasons.

In an interview with trade expert Komal Nahata, he shared that while shooting a particular scene for Kabir Singh, the director realised that Shahid Kapoor should not be a part of remakes. He cited, “He is such an original actor. He should pick something... That's what I also used to tell him so many times.” He also mentioned that he never considered the Haider actor for Animal, because the “emotional story” of the film made him think of Ranbir Kapoor as the perfect fit.

Ironically, Shahid Kapoor has been no stranger to remakes, both before and after Kabir Singh. Following its massive success, he starred in Jersey, the Hindi adaptation of Nani’s critically acclaimed Telugu film of the same name. More recently, he appeared in Deva, a remake of Rosshan Andrrews’ 2013 Malayalam thriller Mumbai Police, albeit with an altered climax.

Even earlier in his career, Kapoor was part of several remakes, including Chup Chup Ke, 36 China Town, Paathshaala, and Deewane Huye Paagal. Now, he is gearing up for his next big project, Arjun Ustara, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj. The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast, featuring Triptii Dimri, Vikrant Massey, Nana Patekar, and Randeep Hooda.

Kabir Singh, which hit theaters in 2019, featured Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, and Arjan Bajwa, among others. The film was a massive box office success, raking in over ₹379 crore and becoming the second highest-grossing Bollywood film of the year. It also marked Shahid Kapoor’s highest-grossing solo-led release.

Despite receiving mixed reviews, Kabir Singh gained immense popularity, particularly for its chart-topping soundtrack and Kapoor’s intense performance, which earned widespread praise. However, the film also sparked controversy, facing criticism for its portrayal of misogyny and toxic masculinity.