‘I want to do films that are clutterbreakers’

Actor Harshvardhan Kapoor’s next film, the biopic on the Olympic champion shooter Abhinav Bindra, is currently in scripting stage. He has also signed a thriller, and his latest film release, Bhavesh Joshi Superhero, has got a strong response on the digital platform. For the young actor, novelty and quality matter more than commercial returns.

“I just want to do things that people haven’t done before. I don’t feel excited by doing something that people have been doing for the past 20 years. I want to do films that have the potential to be the clutter breakers. I’m glad Bhavesh Joshi got love on the digital platform; the longevity is fantastic,” says the actor, who made his Bollywood debut with Mirzya (2016).

About his high-profile biopic, Harshvardhan says that such a film is more about internalising the real person’s traits. “It’s about the belief that you can be this person. That’ll come with embodying the skills (shooting), then internalising his traits, and looking like him. It’s a psychological sport. It’s not like cricket or running, where you can see the effort. It’s about aiming at a dot repeatedly. So, it’s about what goes on in his mind. Plus, Bindra is a reserved guy and doesn’t give too much away. Playing him is a massive responsibility,” says Harshvardhan.

The actor will share the screen with his father Anil Kapoor, who’ll play the role of Bindra’s father. In real life, the two actors have different personalities. “I’m a lot quieter and keep more to myself. I enjoy meaningful conversations between two people. Dad is a people’s person and affable. As an actor, I believe in taking one step at a time,” says Harshvardhan, who shares a friendly equation with his dad. From his father’s filmography, he feels Mr India (1987), Parinda (1989), Pukar (2000), and Nayak (2001) are the best works. Harshvardhan adds that these movies have the potential to be remade in today’s times as well.

Talking about his equation with the newest member in his family, his brother-in-law Anand S Ahuja, the actor says, “We both are really into high fashion and sneaker culture. In India, we never really had the skateboarding culture or street-fashion culture. I’m trying to bring that through my work, too. You want to see people [get] into that culture, enjoy dressing well… so we’re just doing something cool for pop culture.”

I just want to do things that people haven’t done before. I don’t feel excited by doing something that people have been doing for the past 20 years. HARSHVARDHAN KAPOOR ACTOR

Harshvardhan Kapoor debuted in 2016