Anil Kapoor's new avatar Reinventing Mr India in Badhaai Ho Badhaai

Seema Sinha

If there is one actor in Bollywood who seems to get better with age, it is Anil Kapoor. Reinvention could be his middle name. Every role in his nearly two decades in the industry has seen him in a new avatar.

Be it in Biwi No 1, where he stole the show from lead actor Salman Khan with his rib-tickling act or Taal, where he won more praise than Akshaye Khanna. "I have gained a lot from those films," says the National Award-winning actor (Rajkumar Santoshi's Pukar), who leaves behind memories of Rajkumar Santoshi's Lajja and Shankar's Nayak, both of which fared badly at the box-office.

Directed by Satish Kaushik, Kapoor's next film Badhaai Ho Badhaai, presented by Subhash Ghai's Mukta Arts, is slated for release this Friday.

Says Kapoor, "Badhaai Ho Badhaai is a feel-good film laced with a lot of humour. Masti, mithaas aur mohabbat [fun, happiness and love], can aptly describe this film. The whole film is one big celebration."

"There are two families in the film: one Punjabi, the other Catholic. They are very close friends until a rift occurs and the enmity carries on to the next generation. The story has lot of depth, but the script has a lot of humour and pathos. What's more, there is no hero or heroine. The script and director are the heroes," he states.

"The film is believable, it is real and it is a commercial entertainer. It was very comfortable working for this film. This is the first time I have done a role of this kind," Kapoor says.

Kapoor earlier worked with Kaushik in Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja, Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain and Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai.

Kapoor explains, "Kaushik's strength lies in tackling human stories and human relationships. He has his own brand of humour which you will find in this film. The humour is external, he shows you his funny side. But deep inside, he is an emotional person.

"Besides, he [Kaushik] is a fine actor. He is well-read and worked has assisted Shekhar Kapur, one of our finest directors, in Mr India. Though Roop Ki Rani... was a flop, technically it was excellent. In terms of grandeur, it was a path-breaker," he adds.

When you ask why his name listed in the credits as a producer, Kapoor clarifies, "This is Kaushik and Subhash Ghai's film. I am just an actor. I just take a lot of interest in every film of mine and work as if it were my own production."

Kapoor's forthcoming films include Mukesh Bhatt's Waapsi, Honey Irani's untitled film with Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher's Om Jai Jagadish and Indra Kumar's Rishtey. "The films for Mukesh Bhatt and Honey Irani have just been launched. For my brother Boney, we are still looking for a script. Perhaps in a month or two, I will begin work for my own production," he says.

How would he describe his journey in Hindi cinema? "God has been very kind to me," he replies promptly. "My journey in cinema has been fantastic. I have absolutely no regrets. I never imagined I would reach here. From [suburban Mumbai's] Chembur's Tilak Nagar to Juhu Vile Parle Scheme, from one room with ten inhabitants and a common bathroom to 19 bathrooms, it has been good," he smiles.

"But I had to prove myself. Today, even newcomers get a break as a hero. I started with bit roles and then moved to South Indian films. I never had it easy. It was a struggle. Maybe that is why I worked harder. I did not have the money to get a portfolio of photographs done. I remember waiting endlessly in [filmmaker] Sawan Kumar Tak's office. At the Rajshri office, I auditioned more than five times. Each time I went there, they would ask me to enact a few scenes," he reminisces.

Kapoor has always worked with young heroines. In fact, his costar in Honey Irani's film is Gracy Singh, almost half his age. "I always end up acting with young heroines. What can I do? Thirty plus and they are gone! They decide to get married," he laughs.

India News Features Service

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