Harsh on being expected to carry forward Anil Kapoor’s legacy: It is limiting

Shreya Mukherjee

Basking in the success of AK vs AK, Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor shares the response around the film highlights the importance of a good story, convincing treatment and good performances. “Appreciation messages I’m getting from viewers and the industry are overwhelming,” he says, and goes on to praise director Vikramaditya Motwane’s vision as “different and experimental”.

So, was he conscious sharing screen space with his father, actor Anil Kapoor in the film? “I’m somebody who prefers being well prepared even for a supporting role. When facing the camera, I concentrate on my part, and don’t really see it like, ‘Oh, this is my father, who’s a veteran in the field,’ and look at it as if

I’m collaborating with any other actor.”

Kapoor doesn’t believe in the entire thing around carrying his “father’s legacy forward” and the expectations that come his way. “In our society there’s not enough emphasis on embracing our own individuality... If I start thinking that my dad did this film in 1986, and in 2026 I wonder if I can make a remake of that film, I’ll go crazy. This whole legacy/lineage thing is a bit limiting,” he explains.

To answer those who wrote him off after his debut Mirzya (2016) didn’t do well at the box office as it was a “not the typical launch project”, Kapoor has four films in pipeline — a dark comedy by Vasan Bala, an untitled romantic film, a thriller for an OTT platform and sportsperson Abhinav Bindra’s biopic.

“Box office has zero relevance when it comes to determining quality of a film,” he adds.

The actor says it’s sad when people reject those trying to experiment. “The idea is longevity and relevance of the films. I feel OTT has opened many doors,” he concludes.

If I start thinking that my dad did this film in 1986, and I wonder if I can remake that film, I’ll go crazy HARSH VARRDHAN KAPOOR,