Mausam forced me to leave my comfort zone: Shahid

The actor, who took a year and half off from other projects to concentrate on the love-story set in the recent past, says he learnt some of the most valuable lessons in filmmaking by observing his father on the sets.

"He (Pankaj) pushed me a lot as an actor. When I signed up the film I knew that I wanted to learn and unlearn certain things. I mean, every actor has a comfort zone and knows that there are certain things which people like about him and he plays on them. I wanted to get out of that and ``Mausam`` helped me do that," Shahid told PTI.

The 30-year-old star, whose last few releases post ``Kaminey`` failed to create magic at the box office, essays the character of Squadron Leader Harinder ``Harry`` Singh in the movie, which releases this Friday.

Shahid says the script of ``Mausam`` came to him as a birthday gift from his father about two-years ago.

"I have been running after dad to make a film with me for almost three years but he always refused. Finally, he agreed and about two-years ago he gave me this file on my birthday and said ``Happy Birthday, son``, this is my gift to you this year," recalls Shahid.

He, however, denies that there was any compulsion for him to go ahead with the film because his father was directing it.

"Dad told me that I should do the film only if I have faith in the script," says Shahid, who sports four different looks in the movie, including a moustache for the first time. Shahid, who has been linked to many actresses post his break-up with Kareena Kapoor, says he could associate with the movie, which is about `unconditional love`.

“The reason I loved the film was that when I was reading the script I was like `I wish I could find a love like that`. Our generation has forgotten unconditional love. All the films that we see are rom-coms about issues between a girl and a boy. But, there is an unconditional side to love which we all want to find. I could associate with it. No relationship is perfect but you do want to feel the magic of unconditional love. We all are running after that,” said Shahid.

The actor, who started his acting career in 2003 with `Ishq Vishk` and has done 20-odd films, says he has a lot to achieve.

“When I was young, acting seemed like a faraway dream, which I never thought I will achieve. Now that I am here, I find myself very lucky. I feel I have started to evolve as an actor. The journey has just begun. I have so much more to do but I am heading in the direction. I want to do films that would excite me as a viewer and challenge me as an actor.”

Shahid is also looking forward to act with his father in near future.

“My father is working with Vishal Bhardwaj again and I would love to see that film. I would love to work with him as an actor. It would be a great opportunity,” added Shahid.

Shahid will next be seen opposite Priyanka Chopra in Kunal Kohli`s untitled love story, which he is shooting currently.