Purba Dutt (BOMBAY TIMES; February 21, 2016)
Be it the roles he plays in his movies, voicing his opinion on social media or his hedonistic lifestyle, veteran actor Rishi Kapoor takes no prisoners. He lives life entirely on his own terms, and revels in the fact that he's doing it every bit his way. The actor says now is the time he enjoys acting the most, and at 33, his son Ranbir should settle down...
Tell us about your journey from a star to an actor.
It has been such a long journey spanning 44 years. It's been one hell of a ride. I have survived the hurricane of Amitabh Bachchan, the tsunami of action heroes... For the first 25 years, I only played romantic roles, and now I am getting characters that require me to act. I love to experiment; to push myself, and I want people to accept me in roles that I have never attempted before.
People find you formidable, even intimidating...
Yes, I am aware of this image, but I really have no idea where it comes from. I neither throw my weight around nor do I bully anyone on the set. Perhaps, this preconceived notion has to do with my seniority and the aura around me.
You've had a successful marriage. What has made it work?
There's no formula that can make a marriage work. Sometimes two people just click. We can say all we want about the respect and space we give each other, but they just make for good sound bytes. I give full credit to my wife for being so understanding, and her being from the same industry helped. Trust me; I have not exactly been the best husband material. I have had problems with my drinking, I have had fights and I have had to stay out of the house for days on end on account of my shoots. I work in the world of temptations; so, yes, we have been through that gamut, that tumult, but, like I said, she understands. So, by no means, it has been easy. The kids have also played their part in cementing our marriage.
Is there anything else on your to-do list? Like music or learning a new language?
Why does it have to be music or learning an instrument? Why don't you ask me if I plan to have girlfriends?
Yes, of course, girlfriends. Do tell...
And what makes you think I would tell you! But jokes apart, I work very hard, and I deserve to enjoy my life the way I think it works best for me. I will not impose my lifestyle on my children because they can decide for themselves the kind of lives they want. I love my life the way it is, and wouldn't want to change a single thing about it.
Don't you want Ranbir to now find himself a girl he wants to settle down with?
Of course, he should. He's 33 now. But having said that, it's entirely upto him who he chooses. I never asked my father who I should marry; I just went to him for his blessings. Ranbir, too, will not seek our approval; only our blessings. I would never do matchmaking for him. Ranbir is passionate about movies, and I knew quite early on that his interest and love lay in films. If not an actor, he'd still have been connected with films in some way While I am a spontaneous actor, Ranbir combines the best of both, method and spontaneous acting. And he has got his head firm on his shoulders. It's important for parents to not push their kids into a field they're not interested in.
You're quite the sensation on Twitter...
Yes, I give you guys all the fodder you'd need for your interviews! I call a spade a spade. Why be a hypocrite? As for the backlash, I honestly couldn't care less. People need to accept me for who I am, and I am someone who has never followed this herd mentality. I have my opinions on certain issues, and I express them without any reservations. There are many people from my fraternity who dig beef, and enjoy having it on their trips abroad, but no one spoke about it when the beef ban came into effect. However, many a time, I feel my statements have been misunderstood.
Tell us about your journey from a star to an actor.
It has been such a long journey spanning 44 years. It's been one hell of a ride. I have survived the hurricane of Amitabh Bachchan, the tsunami of action heroes... For the first 25 years, I only played romantic roles, and now I am getting characters that require me to act. I love to experiment; to push myself, and I want people to accept me in roles that I have never attempted before.
People find you formidable, even intimidating...
Yes, I am aware of this image, but I really have no idea where it comes from. I neither throw my weight around nor do I bully anyone on the set. Perhaps, this preconceived notion has to do with my seniority and the aura around me.
You've had a successful marriage. What has made it work?
There's no formula that can make a marriage work. Sometimes two people just click. We can say all we want about the respect and space we give each other, but they just make for good sound bytes. I give full credit to my wife for being so understanding, and her being from the same industry helped. Trust me; I have not exactly been the best husband material. I have had problems with my drinking, I have had fights and I have had to stay out of the house for days on end on account of my shoots. I work in the world of temptations; so, yes, we have been through that gamut, that tumult, but, like I said, she understands. So, by no means, it has been easy. The kids have also played their part in cementing our marriage.
Is there anything else on your to-do list? Like music or learning a new language?
Why does it have to be music or learning an instrument? Why don't you ask me if I plan to have girlfriends?
Yes, of course, girlfriends. Do tell...
And what makes you think I would tell you! But jokes apart, I work very hard, and I deserve to enjoy my life the way I think it works best for me. I will not impose my lifestyle on my children because they can decide for themselves the kind of lives they want. I love my life the way it is, and wouldn't want to change a single thing about it.
Don't you want Ranbir to now find himself a girl he wants to settle down with?
Of course, he should. He's 33 now. But having said that, it's entirely upto him who he chooses. I never asked my father who I should marry; I just went to him for his blessings. Ranbir, too, will not seek our approval; only our blessings. I would never do matchmaking for him. Ranbir is passionate about movies, and I knew quite early on that his interest and love lay in films. If not an actor, he'd still have been connected with films in some way While I am a spontaneous actor, Ranbir combines the best of both, method and spontaneous acting. And he has got his head firm on his shoulders. It's important for parents to not push their kids into a field they're not interested in.
You're quite the sensation on Twitter...
Yes, I give you guys all the fodder you'd need for your interviews! I call a spade a spade. Why be a hypocrite? As for the backlash, I honestly couldn't care less. People need to accept me for who I am, and I am someone who has never followed this herd mentality. I have my opinions on certain issues, and I express them without any reservations. There are many people from my fraternity who dig beef, and enjoy having it on their trips abroad, but no one spoke about it when the beef ban came into effect. However, many a time, I feel my statements have been misunderstood.