Shahid Kapoor marks 9 years of playing the unforgettable Tommy Singh in 'Udta Punjab'

IANS June 17, 2025 339 views

Shahid Kapoor reminisces about his unforgettable role as Tommy Singh in Udta Punjab, nine years after the film’s release. He credits the flawed yet compelling character for shaping his career and thanks director Abhishek Chaubey and producers for the journey. The film, known for its bold take on Punjab’s drug crisis, starred Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor, and Diljit Dosanjh. Despite controversy, Udta Punjab remains a milestone in Shahid’s filmography.

"9 yrs. Another special character. Another one of the flawed protagonists that I always loved to play." – Shahid Kapoor
Shahid Kapoor marks 9 years of playing the unforgettable Tommy Singh in 'Udta Punjab'
Mumbai, June 17: Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor took a moment to reflect on one of the most transformative roles of his career as "Udta Punjab" completed nine years on Tuesday.

Key Points

1

Shahid Kapoor marks 9 years of Udta Punjab with a heartfelt note

2

Tommy Singh remains one of his most acclaimed roles

3

Film explored Punjab’s drug crisis with a stellar cast

4

Directed by Abhishek Chaubey, produced by Anurag Kashyap & team

The actor, who portrayed the wild and troubled rockstar Tommy Singh, shared a special post to celebrate the film and the impact the character had on his journey as a performer. Known for pushing boundaries, Shahid’s portrayal of Tommy remains one of his most acclaimed and talked-about performances to date.

Taking to Instagram, the ‘Jab We Met’ actor shared an image of his character and penned a heartfelt note, describing the role as “another one of the flawed protagonists” he has always enjoyed portraying. The actor noted how such complex roles seem to have become more popular over time. Shahid also extended his gratitude to director Abhishek Chaubey, producers Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, and Vikas Bahl, and the entire team for making the journey memorable.

The 'Kabir Singh' actor wrote, “9 yrs. Another special character. Another one of the flawed protagonists that I always loved to play. They seem to be in fashion now. Thank you @abhishekchaubey, @anuragkashyap10, @motwayne, Vikas Bahl, and the entire team for making this journey so special. And of course. Drug’s di maa d.”

“Udta Punjab,” the 2016 crime drama, was directed by Abhishek Chaubey and co-written with Sudip Sharma. The film was jointly produced by Shobha Kapoor, Ekta Kapoor, Sameer Nair, and Aman Gill under Balaji Motion Pictures, in collaboration with Anurag Kashyap, Vikas Bahl, and Vikramaditya Motwane of Phantom Films.

Set against the backdrop of rampant drug abuse among the youth in Punjab, the story delved into the dark realities and underlying conspiracies surrounding the crisis. The film featured a powerful ensemble cast, including Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Diljit Dosanjh.

The crime drama, which received widespread criticism in Punjab, was released on 17 June 2016.

Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Shahid absolutely killed it as Tommy Singh! One of the most memorable performances in Bollywood history. The way he portrayed the character's downfall was heartbreaking yet brilliant. Udta Punjab was way ahead of its time. More power to such bold cinema! 🙌
P
Priya M.
While the acting was top-notch, I wish the film had shown more solutions along with highlighting Punjab's drug problem. Just showing the dark side can sometimes create more stigma. But yes, Shahid's transformation was unbelievable - from chocolate boy to this!
A
Amit S.
"Drug's di maa di" still gives me chills! Shahid proved he's more than just a romantic hero with this role. The entire cast was fantastic, but his energy was something else. This film made me respect Punjabi culture while also showing its struggles. 9 years and still relevant!
N
Neha T.
As someone from Punjab, I had mixed feelings about the film. The performances were outstanding, but I wish they'd shown more positive aspects of our state too. That said, Shahid's dedication to the role was incredible - he completely became Tommy Singh!
V
Vikram J.
This was Shahid's career-best performance for me. The way he balanced the madness and vulnerability of Tommy was masterclass acting. The film was raw, real and needed. More Bollywood films should have this courage to show hard truths. Respect to the entire team!
S
Sunita R.
I remember watching this with my college friends and we were all stunned by Shahid's performance. From his body language to the accent - everything was perfect. Though the subject was heavy, the film handled it with sensitivity. Deserves all the praise even after 9 years!

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Your email won't be published


Disclaimer: Comments here reflect the author's views alone. Insulting or using offensive language against individuals, communities, religion, or the nation is illegal.

Tags:
Shahid Kapoor Udta Punjab Tommy Singh Bollywood Abhishek Chaubey Anurag Kashyap Alia Bhatt Kareena Kapoor