Enthusiastic as ever, Anil Kapoor talks about his new look in Dil Dhadakne Do and the never-ending energy in his eccentric roles.
Tell us about your new salt and pepper look in Dil Dhadakne Do … it’s a first for you!
I love experimenting, reinventing from the beginning of my career. I have taken too many risks — dangerous risks. People expect me to do tapori roles and I go and do Eeshwar, Lamhe, Biwi No 1, Taal, Welcome or a small cameo. I have kept doing out of the box roles. For Dil Dhadakne Do, when Zoya (Akhtar, the director) and I met, we had thought of some references about the character and it was almost the same! It was a great creative collaboration.
But your image is still that of a hero rather than a character actor
I do strong characters like Taal, Biwi No 1, Slumdog Millionaire, No Entry, Welcome. I feel after a certain time it is important to play strong characters for longevity. People never call me ‘Anil Kapoor’; they call me Lakhan, Mr India, Majnubhai or say Jhakaas.
How was the experience of working with a young woman director like Zoya Akhtar in Dil Dhadakne Do?
It is not about how young you are. It is about who stimulates you to do better work. Zoya is an extremely talented, world-class director. She persuaded me for a year and a half for this film.
How similar are you to the character you are playing?
I am completely the opposite. I am friendly and democratic, but in the film, I play a dominating patriarch, a control freak who feels he can get away with anything as he has money.
You have been in the industry for three decades. Which were your best phases?
I can’t remember any best or worst. I have been consistent. For me, it is about reinvention, experimenting. When we were shooting for Armaan (2002), I wanted to take a sabbatical and I spoke to Amitabhji about it. He said he had made the mistake of not working for three to four years and told me not to do that. I respect and look up to him; and I have never taken a break.
