Anil Kapoor’s son Harshvardhan Kapoor makes his debut with Mirzya. The newcomer talks about playing two diverse roles, seeking his individuality and the actors he admires.
How did you decide on Mirzya as your debut film?
I am 25 now. When I was still an 18-year-old college-goer in 2008, Rakeysh sir (Omprakash Mehra, the director) and I met and thereafter kept meeting each other after every couple of months. Rakeysh sir mentioned to me that he was working on the story of Mirza Sahibaan and Gulzar saab was writing the screenplay. So this conversation has been going on from a very long time. When I went back to college after the first interaction between Rakeysh sir and me, I surfed the internet for the story - it’s a romantic tragedy that’s very different from other romantic tragedies because the two lovers make a decision that eventually determines their destiny.
When did the film eventually take off?
Eventually, in June 2013, after talking for 2-3 years, we finally decided to embark on the journey. I sat with Mehra and he narrated only 10-15 pages of the script because it was still work in progress. The script was very poetic and very romantic. At that time, I was 22 and reading so many other romantic stories and scripts but I felt that this was the most contemporary romantic film. I was completely blown away! I felt, ‘I’ll give anything to be a part of this -- it’s romantic, complex ... like a dream come true.’
How difficult was it to play two characters in your very first film?
I am playing two characters -- Aadil and Mirzya. We worked on both simultaneously. When I heard the story, I knew that the whole film depends on my ability as a rider and an archer because Mirzya is the best in those areas. I didn’t know horse riding. It sounds very easy but I knew my director won’t cut to my close-up and use doubles for the riding sequences. So I moved to Delhi for six months to learn the horse-riding skills. I had a lot of falls while learning and yes, it was difficult.
Your star father, Anil Kapoor, has gone on record to say that you’re very different from him. What is your view?
I don’t think I am the best person to decide that. It’s very difficult to have an opinion about oneself but I think the only way I can define my situation is that I will define my own personality by the characters that I decide to take up and play -- that is something that will happen over a period of time.