Offspring of an illustrated film star couple #RishiKapoor and #NeetuSinghKapoor, #RanbirKapoor has always had aspirations to take forward the acting legacy of Kapoor Khandaan. Born in the family of stalwarts like great grandfather #PrithvirajKapoor, grandfathers #RajKapoor, #ShammiKapoor, #ShashiKapoor, Uncles #Randhirkapoor and #RajivKapoor and cousins #KarismaKapoor and #KareenaKapoorKhan, Ranbir Kapoor has created a special place for himself in the Film Industry. Now he is one of the highest paid actors of Hindi Film Industry and along with one of the highest paid actresses of film industry, Alia Bhatt who happens to be his wife, Ranbir-Alia is the highest paid couple at the moment. Both featured in this years most grossing movie Brahmastra which was helmed by their friend cum director Ayan Mukherjee.
Ranbir Kapoor pursued filmmaking and method acting at the School of Visual Arts and the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, before taking up acting. He assisted Sanjay Leela Bhansali during Black who eventually gave him a break in “#Saawariya”. Actually, in film school, Ranbir did direct and act in two short films, entitled ‘Passion to Love and India 1964’. The loneliness of living alone in New York City coupled with his experience in film school, which he describes as “useless”, inspired him to pursue a career in Bollywood. His debut movie, “Saawariya”, was declared a super flop. Undeterred Ranbir worked even harder and started doing meaningful films. His Movie “Wake Up Sid” brought him in the running and “Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani” cemented his place in the film industry. During ‘APKGK’ he fell in love with it’s leading lady Katrina Kaif and both were living together and were expected to tie the knot. But things went sour between them and they broke up. Earlier he was in a serious relationship with Deepika Padukone and they were heading towards marriage. But things didn’t work out and they parted ways. While doing “Brahmastra” he met Alia Bhatt as she was his leading lady which changed his life for better. Earlier Alia had confessed to be die hard Ranbir fan and the togetherness during the shoot culminated in they becoming a couple. After a courtship of a few years they tied the knot this year and both are parents to a beautiful Daughter.
Ranbir Kapoor happened to meet our senior editor Mr Keerti Kadam a while ago, He poured his heart out on several topics. When Ranbir was doing “#Shamshera”, his Father Rishi Kapoor had advised him against wearing a Dhoti on screen. ‘Dhoti wali picture kabhi mat karna. Always do city based roles’, he used to tell Ranbir. But when Ranbir informed him about his dhoti-clad character in Shamshera he frowned.
What was your father Rishi Kapoor’s reaction on you signing “Shamshera”?
My Father always wanted me to do ‘real commercial cinema’. He did not approve of my earlier film choices and used to tell me to take up masala films. Actually “Shamshera” had all the ingredients of a masala film. It had action, romance, comedy and a double role. It was a big screen extravaganza which usually is not offered to me. Multi genre films are difficult to make. He liked it except for my ‘Dhoti’. He was ailing during the shoot of the film and it’s unfortunate that he left us before the release of the film.
Do you get affected by success or failure of your films?
No. I am not insecure. Success and failure are part of the profession, any profession. I am a very patient person. I like to take things in my stride. If any project doesn’t do well, there are people around me to offer emotional support. I come from a film family and have witnessed quite a few things. I love simple life, simple relationships. I love working and love my profession. I want to mention it here that I am very weak in marketing. I do not understand it. After finishing a project I move on but during the release and promotions I need to bring back that intensity. Also coming from a film family doesn’t make you lucky. I know how much hard work I had to put in to be away from the ‘shadow’ of my family, huge family. In a movie I am an employed talent as an actor but I too make efforts to make the end product good.
How was your equation with your Father?
It was always great. Though I am not very expressive, we shared a special bond. He always was extremely proud of my achievements but used to say, “tum acting thik-thak kar lete ho”. I am Rishi Kapoor’s biggest fan. After watching “Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai” I wanted to be an actor. In fact I loved all his films. But I used to be distressed watching my mom’s movies. I never liked my mom’s movies with other actors. But I always enjoyed watching mom and dad together on screen.
In recent times OTT has emerged as a big alternative to the big screen. What are your views?
During pandemic viewers have become additionally intelligent. They had an access to the content across world. In fact their taste has gone five years ahead. To come to their level we, the filmmakers, should go ten years ahead and offer stuff accordingly. Again the ‘content’ has gained a lot of importance in the last few years. So obviously writing essentially should be good. Different mediums, platforms have co-existed over the years, so there is no competition as such. Audience’s entertainment should be of prime importance. As an actor I like to bring diversity to the characters I play with the help of hair stylist, make up artists, costume designers etc. I like to put in a lot of hard work in whatever I do to transport viewers to a different world kind of experience. I maintain that the film makers are slaves to the audience.
You did a tremendous job in Sanjay Dutt’s biopic, “Sanju”. Anything on that?
A lot of people were sceptical whether I was the right choice for “Sanju”. In fact many said, ‘kya Ranbir yeh kar payega?’ But Rajkumar Hirani was confident about me. Of course, I did put in a lot of hard work. It was the highest grosser of that year. Sanjay Dutt too was very pleased with my performance. A lot of people told me that they did not recognise me in Sanju’s get-up. Frankly he’s a great guy, full of energy and love. I have worked with him in Shamshera. Whenever he entered the sets, the entire crew would surround him. He knows everybody by names and used to chat with them as a friend. The aura he carries around is amazing. I am a new age actor and use different ‘tone’ for different films. My thought process for every role is different. Doing “Sanju” was a very big moment of my life.
For the first time you played a double role. How was the experience of working in “Shamshera”?
Frankly I was supposed to do only one role in that film. But after reading the script I liked the father-son bond in it and a selfish actor in me got active. I pitched myself for the father’s role and fortunately the makers agreed. Of course it was challenging as well as daunting to play to different characters in a same film. I always wanted to play quintessential hero and got a chance to play it. Moreover whichever films I did, did not have a villain, except (laughs) Karan Johar in “Bombay Velvet”. In earlier times audiences were forgiving but not now. You ought to be wise to choose a right subject. You ought to know about your people, your culture. And yes, doing a double role was physically and emotionally draining for me. Of course film making is a marriage of thoughts and is a joint effort.
You are in a best phase of your life.
Professionally, yes. But I take life as it comes. The amount of love fans are showering on my films has increased my responsibility. I am utterly grateful for that because not everyone gets this kind of adulation. I am willing to do anything for films. Personally, Yes. I am in a best phase of my life. I have become a father. There’s no bigger joy than this. And I always wanted that. In fact Alia and I had discussed it long time back and we want to have lots of kids. Fatherhood is a surreal feeling. I can’t explain what’s going on in my mind. It’s beyond describing. I have never experienced this feeling in my life. Birth of my daughter has completely filled my heart. Earlier dads used to be away for work. Moms used to raise children. But Alia too has her dreams of doing a lot of things in the film industry and I do not want to curb that. We have worked out about sharing our time with the baby so that both of us can pursue our careers. Also we’ll be sharing responsibilities too. We’ll be balancing our personal and professional lives neatly. Importantly, I want to be close to my kids.
You named your daughter, Raha. What’s special about this name?
On November ‘6’, we entered a new phase of life. A bundle of joy came into our lives. Becoming a parent is a mind blowing emotion. Frankly I cannot be put in words. I am very happy and excited yet nervous. I am grateful and terrified too. I don’t know what’s going on inside me. The joy of becoming a father is completely mind boggling. I have never experienced this emotion in my life. It actually completely fills my heart. About my daughter’s name all of us were searching for a good name. Ultimately, my mom, Neetu Kapoor, has found an apt one, “Raha”. It’s a beautiful name and has multiple meanings. In it’s purest form Raha means Divine Path, in Swahili it means Joy, in Sanskrit it means Clan, in Bangla it means Rest, Comfort, Relief, in Arabic it means Peace. Raha also means Happiness, Freedom, Bliss.
Something on your upcoming projects…
I am doing Luv Ranjan’s next film with Shraddha Kapoor which is quite hilarious yet emotional and out and out entertainer. I am doing “Animal” with Rashmika Mandanna wherein, I am playing an extremely grey character. Viewers will get a shock of their lives after seeing me in an astounding character.
Any particular role you want to play?
I want to play a villain.
