Throwback: Shahid Kapoor once called comparisons with Shah Rukh Khan the ‘worst thing’

When Shahid Kapoor was establishing himself in Bollywood, he was often compared to Shah Rukh Khan due to his charm and romantic roles. However, in a past interview with Pinkvilla, Shahid revealed that he found such comparisons frustrating and limiting.
Acknowledging the constant parallels drawn between him and SRK in his early years, Shahid had said, "It's the worst thing that can happen. Why should you be the next anything? You are you and they are they." He explained that the industry often expects newcomers to follow the path of already successful actors, assuming that resemblance to a star guarantees success. However, he dismissed this notion as the "dumbest logic."
Shahid emphasized the importance of individuality in the entertainment industry, saying that an artist should carve their own identity rather than trying to emulate someone else. He compared it to serving only one flavor of ice cream simply because people like it, arguing that true success comes when audiences develop a taste for something unique.
At the time, Shahid also acknowledged the pressure young actors feel when they are constantly measured against industry veterans. He noted that many newcomers unknowingly shape their craft based on these comparisons, which can hinder their ability to explore their own potential.
Despite rejecting such comparisons, Shahid has always admired Shah Rukh Khan’s larger-than-life stardom. Before the release of his 2008 film Kismat Konnection, directed by Aziz Mirza, who frequently collaborated with SRK, Shahid had expressed his excitement about working with Mirza, stating that few entertainers have reached Shah Rukh’s level of stardom.