'I came after giving 250 auditions': When 'Cocktail 2' star Shahid Kapoor shared his journey before stardom

Shahid Kapoor, now celebrated as one of Bollywood's biggest stars, has often reflected on the struggles that defined his early years in the film industry. In a candid conversation on Raj Shamani's podcast in 2025, the actor opened up about his challenging journey, marked by persistence, financial hardships, and emotional battles, before he achieved success.

Despite hailing from a film family, Shahid emphasized that he never felt privileged. "My father is a character actor, and my mom has been a Kathak dancer since she was 15 years old. I have lived in rented houses," he shared, adding that his upbringing instilled in him a deep understanding of perseverance. Reflecting on his career beginnings, he said, "I came after giving 250 auditions," highlighting the relentless effort it took to break into the industry.

Shahid also spoke about the varying nature of struggles in the entertainment world. "Some people struggle in a BMW; they start their journey by working with the top two to three directors in the country," he remarked, contrasting his own path with that of others who may have had easier starts. Financial challenges were a significant part of his early life, with Shahid recalling a time when even buying clothes was difficult. "Today, people say that Shahid’s fashion sense is so good, and sometimes, I laugh at things like this because I remember at one point, I didn’t have enough money to buy clothes in Lokhandwala market," he revealed.

Beyond material struggles, Shahid admitted to grappling with feelings of victimization during a particularly difficult phase in his life. However, he transformed those experiences into motivation, eventually becoming one of Hindi cinema's leading actors. Since his debut in Ishq Vishk (2003), Shahid has delivered numerous acclaimed performances across genres.

The actor is now gearing up for the release of Cocktail 2, directed by Homi Adajania. The romantic comedy, set to hit theatres on June 19, 2026, stars Rashmika Mandanna and Kriti Sanon alongside Shahid. A spiritual successor to the 2012 hit Cocktail, the film revolves around a complex love triangle involving Kunal, Diya, and Ally.