Filmmaker Hansal Mehta recently opened up in an exclusive chat with Pinkvilla, sharing an inspiring behind-the-scenes story of how Shahid — the critically acclaimed biographical drama — came together. At the heart of the tale was an up-and-coming actor named Rajkummar Rao, who would soon deliver a career-defining performance.
Recounting his initial skepticism, Mehta revealed that he didn’t even want to meet Rao at first. “Main bola, ‘Milke kya karun main?’” he admitted. But it was filmmaker Anurag Kashyap who insisted, saying, “Yaar, uske liye ek rupaya nahi mil raha hai mujhe.” Kashyap had worked with Rao in Gangs of Wasseypur and was confident in his talent.
Mehta had reached out to Kashyap for support, asking to attach his name to the film to help gain credibility with producers. Kashyap agreed, calling it “payback time” for Mehta’s early support in his own career. More importantly, he encouraged Mehta to forget the “star chase” and meet Rajkummar Rao — a recommendation also pushed by casting director Mukesh Chhabra.
What followed was a brief meeting that changed everything.
Rao, who had already acted in Love Sex Aur Dhokha, Shaitan, and Gangs of Wasseypur, walked into Mehta’s office and, within just 10 minutes, convinced him. “I walked out and told my wife, ‘I’ve found Shahid,’” Mehta recalled.
The film, based on the life of human rights lawyer Shahid Azmi, went on to become a landmark in Indian cinema. It not only earned Mehta the National Award for Best Director but also bagged Rajkummar Rao the National Award for Best Actor — cementing their places in Bollywood’s top tier.
Even more remarkable is that the film was made with limited resources and immense passion. Mehta shared that Rao had to help him bring the film to life from the ground up. The collaboration paid off — Shahid remains one of the most powerful and intimate portrayals in Indian biopic cinema .