The Charlie-Guddu roles have shattered the conception that he was just the romantic. And critics believe the 28-year-old son of seasoned actor Pankaj Kapoor has made it to the big league.

'Shahid is going to be the next big thing...he has arrived. From a good-looking boy and a romantic hero, he has graduated to a star,' said film critic Omar Quereshi.

Added another noted film critic, Anupama Chopra: 'This is the role - or roles - of a lifetime and Shahid Kapoor, best known for innocuous chocolate-boy romances, sinks his teeth into it. 'Kaminey' does for him what 'Omkara' did for Saif Ali Khan. A star has evolved into an actor.'

The star is taking the accolades in his stride.

'Yes, various tags have been given to me since the success of 'Kaminey'. And I am very happy to hear them, but the most important thing is to keep doing good work and surprising the audience every now and then. That to me is the biggest reward,' Shahid told IANS.

'I can never be like my father (in terms of acting)...he is way beyond anyone to be like him. I don't even have any aspirations to be like him because I know that's not happening. I just hope whenever my father sees my films, he likes my work,' Shahid said.

(Radhika Bhirani can be contacted at radhika.b@ians.in)