Even at the age of 62, he runs, dances and performs with the energy of a teenager - proving that age is really just a number. Even after spending more than three decades in the industry, veteran actor Anil Kapoor continues to rule hearts and doing meaty roles when actors his age are playing side roles.
Although he started off his career with Telugu and Kannada films, he shot to fame with N. Chandra’s Tezaab and became a name to reckon with in the industry. There was no looking back after that, from Beta, Meri Jung, Mr. India, Virasat, Taal to Pukaar — that won him the National Award — Kapoor has starred in over 100 films over the course of his career.
Currently busy with Pagalpanti and Malang, his meeting with Shekhar Kapoor a few days back sparked rumours of Mr India 2 in offing. Quiz him about what’s cooking between the Bandit Queen director and him, the actor laughs out loud saying, “We are like kids; we get excited to meet each other. There is something that we discussed, something that he has offered me after many years. I am very happy.”
When probed to tell the story behind Shekhar adjusting his cap — as mentioned in his tweet —Kapoor recalling nearly a 30-year-old incident shares, “It was the first day shooting somewhere in Bandra and we had booked a room in Sea Rock from where we were supposed to change and come for the shoot. But the press was waiting for us and my look was just not sitting,” he continues, “I had a habit of wearing old clothes from chor bazaar. So I bought an old pant, jacket and a cheap canvas cap which completed the look. When I came out wearing the cap, he adjusted it. And when I met him the other day wearing a cap that was slightly pulled down. He immediately adjusted it, that very moment was a déjá vu for me.”
Having come a long way, the cool- as-a-cucumber actor talking about his journey thanks his stars for the success and being in the right place at the right moment to accept the opportunities that came his way. “I have been blessed and was fortunate enough to get the right roles, scripts and films that became successful. I worked with good directors who gave me good roles, they always think about me when there is an interesting part to play,” says the Nayak actor who was present at the Ariel event were 400 boys were given laundry lessons.
For someone who has mastered multiple genres — drama, comedy and action — versatility comes as second nature to the actor. Be it the super hit film Biwi No 1 demanding perfect comic timing, an intense thriller like My Wife’s Murder or playing a rugged character in Race, Kapoor’s outburst as an artist transverses the audience to a different world.
However, the humble actor attributes it to the combination of excellent writing and direction, pointing to the fact that at the end it takes for the right person to tap into one’s true potential.
“There are certain faces and bodies that can’t be versatile. You have to be blessed with that and importantly it depends on the kind of person you are. The raas (hidden talent) you have as an artist that someone has to come and tap in. But foremost you should be ready to accept and let that talent flow,” he smiles. Eventually, the actor believes, that films are a reflection of society and what the people want.
With time as the roles got tougher forcing actors to move out of their comfort zone, Kapoor is of the opinion that he has to be like a trapeze artist who is ready to fail.
“I am not scared, I just venture into things. You keep taking all the risks but god’s safety net that is your family, is always there and so is your hard work. This safety net is always there to protect you,” says the actor, adding, “This safety net around, gives you the liberty to perform any sort of stunt, dive into challenging waters or jump in the air. People might think he will fall but I have my buffer from where I will bounce back and catch the whole thing.”
Keen on working with the entire lot of young directors who will come with a good story and role for him, the Laadla actor is highly optimistic about the future of the entertainment industry.
“Today’s industry and filmmaking is more structured and a lot more preparation is involved. Besides being an artistic platform for people to show their artistry, commerce is involved. The stakes and business have become big. It is a digital world, which is a great evolution. The Indian talent is globally loved and recognised,” concludes Kapoor.
