Shahid Kapoor 'was out of comfort zone in Mausam'

Shahid Kapoor has admitted that he was forced to act outside his comfort zone in Mausam.

The star takes on the role of a Punjabi airline pilot who falls in love with a Kashmiri girl, played by Sonam Kapoor.

Shahid told DNA India: "[Director Pankaj Kapoor] pushed me a lot as an actor. When I signed up for 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 also confirmed that he had pressed his father Pankaj to make his directorial debut with the film.

"Dad told me that I should do the film only if I have faith in the script. I have been running after dad to make a film with me for almost three years but he always refused," he said.

"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."

Pankaj recently said that his son had given him "full license" to "mould" him for the role.

Shahid learned to speak Punjabi and fly a fighter plane for the romance film.