Shahid, 33, had to opt for a bald look in certain scenes of the movie that is set in Kashmir and the actor did not have a moment's hesitation in shedding his hair.
"Prosthetics were an option but I felt it was not right to do it for 'Haider'. There is a certain honesty and passion in this film. I have done it 'dil se'. I did not want to cheat my audience or myself while playing this character. I wanted to do something different and shocking. There is a value in real," Shahid told PTI.
"It is set against the backdrop of Kashmir and then it is an adaptation of Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'. I think Vishal sir has the ability to interpret it for today's India," said Shahid.
The actor feels 'Haider' would have a long term effect on his career the way 'Kaminey' did but does not want to predict its box office performance.
"There are some films you do for box office and some because you believe in them and you are passionate about cinema. But you don't know what is going to do well. Till 'R Rajkumar', 'Kaminey' was the most successful film of my career.