Kunnal Roy Kapur: It is not that a huge volume of work is coming my way
Mumbai: An actor who chooses fewer films but unconventional ones, Kunnal Roy Kapur is all set for a mad trip ‘Kaalakaandi’ yet again with the writer of his debut film ‘Delly Belly’, Akshat Verma. Kunnal gets chatty with Asian Age where he talks about being tagged as a media-shy actor, his exceptional film choices, his role in his upcoming ‘Kaalakaandi’, his lull phase and much more. Excerpts:
Being aloof from media is intentional as an actor?
I don’t think so it is the case with me or my Kapoor brothers. It is maybe an instant impression. I am sure Aditya and Siddharth are quite a bit out than me in media. It is also that I don’t live in this side of the town (suburbs) so I like to stay around my area when I am not working. I feel no one is interested in clicking me (laughs).
How did you bag ‘Kaalakaandi’?
When I read the script, I instantly liked it. From the beginning, I knew that I wanted to be a part of the film and what role I will get to play was my secondary concern. I have worked with Akshat Verma (writer of ‘Delly Belly’) and I told him that I want to do ‘Kaalakaandi’. He luckily had a role for me but it is not the funny guy role. In this film, I am playing a mid level executive, by the book and straight white collared guy. My role in it is in a different zone.
Kunnal Roy Kapur in 'Kaalakaandi'.
How do you maintain unconventional image around your sleeves all the time?
I feel a lot of this not by designed. This is just by fluke. Sometimes you feel like to be a part of a certain film but again it is not that a huge volume of work is coming my way. I don’t have many choices and within those choices, sometimes I don’t get to picky and vice versa. For a working actor like me, it is important to work. If I stop acting, I will stop learning since it is my job to act. But definitely, at times you have a liberty to choose your scripts. As you mentioned about me making the right choices but few times those decisions are made by external forces. ‘Nautanki Saala’ was a well planned project but the film’s success is not in actor’s hands.
Kunnal Roy Kapur in 'Kaalakaandi'.
Do you feel that you faced a lull despite being launched with a film like 'Delhi Belly'?
‘Delly Belly’ did open doors for me. If that wouldn’t have been the case, I would have not been talking about ‘Kaalakaandi’. I am just happy the way I am right now. So many of them aren’t been able to earn their living through acting even since they never value it enough. I value it enough and I know that every role I get is a bonus for me whether the film works or not. There were so many films that have come out in last 6-7 years that I wanted to be a part of but I wasn’t in the right place perhaps. Hopefully, I have good films like ‘Kaalakaandi’ in my career. Moreover, I believe that you have to be in the industry for the right reasons.
Also you look fit these days…
I did a film called ‘The Final Exit’ but it didn’t work at the BO. I feel it didn’t get enough screens and an opportunity to reach to the people. I tried to do completely different which was out of my comfort zone. This was the film for which I lost a lot of weight. The makers gave me 5-6 months to be in shape.
Kunnal Roy Kapur in 'Kaalakaandi'.
How was working with Sobhita Dhulipala?
When we started shooting for ‘Kaalakaandi’, she just came out of ‘Raman Raghav’. She is a great actor and we had a great time.
What are your future projects?
I am doing a film called ‘Hotel Milan’ and had shot for a sweet film ‘Hum Honge Kaamyab’ with Tara Alisha Berry.
