Hindustan Times (Patna) - Hindustan Times (Patna) - Live
‘ANAND IS LIKE MY SON, NOT SONINLAW’
Actor Anil Kapoor talks about being a fatherinlaw, his international career, and a Mr India sequel
Like the characters he plays in films, Anil Kapoor always has that elan when fielding questions in real life. Soon to be seen in a new film with daughter Sonam K Ahuja, the veteran actor talks about his son-in-law Anand S Ahuja, the much-awaited Mr India sequel, and the one thing nobody knew about him until now.
Slumdog Millionaire, your international debut, recently completed 10 years since it first premiered at the Telluride Film Festival. You’re one of the few Indian actors who’ve been able to achieve fame in the West. How do you see your international career now?
[After that movie] at some point or the other, some very [globally] renowned directors wanted me, and for some reason, I wasn’t able to do those films... I was committed to doing films here [in India].
It makes me feel good and nice when my agent and people ask ‘Why aren’t you coming to LA’ or ‘Why aren’t you doing work here?’ In this situation, you feel good that you can make your choices nationally or internationally. I feel blessed that no matter how big the film is, if I’m not comfortable, I won’t do it.
On the personal front, how’s Anand S Ahuja as a soninlaw?
He’s not my son-in-law, he’s like my son... I’d say friend. We bond over health, fitness and loving our parents and family. He’s very work-oriented, so we talk about that. Of course, there are things that I learned from him, since he has travelled so much, has studied in one of the best universities. These things I’m taking from him. He’s young, and comes up with great, fresh ideas where health is concerned. He has got a lot of depth and is very spiritual. It’s a combination of so many things we relate and connect to.
You bought the adaptation rights of the hit sitcom Modern Family. Are things progressing on that front?
It’s there in the pipeline, but till it doesn’t happen, I don’t want to talk about it.
Your brother [and film producer] Boney Kapoor has been very keen on making a sequel to Mr India (1987). Would you want to reprise your role if it ever gets made?
It depends on the decision taken by all of us together, because creative decisions are not taken by one person.
We all will sit in one room, and then decide what’s right and wrong. What’s important is what is right. If I’m right for it, then I’m right for it.
It depends on the script, when it is ready, who the director is, how it’s going to be made. All these things are important. If all the boxes are ticked, then who else better than me?