‘I AM NOT DELUSIONAL’
Today, actor Anil Kapoor completes 35 years as a leading man in Bollywood. He says that at every stage of his career, he has found ’something or the other that has motivated’ him
Ican’t go crazy [about work and success] since I’m not delusional,” says Anil Kapoor, who completes 35 years in Bollywood today as a leading man. On June 23, 1983, Woh Saat Din, which had Kapoor in his first lead role, released. And from then on, he hasn’t looked back. “Since then, I’ve been shooting almost every day. I get a break only if the shooting gets cancelled,” admits Kapoor, as he talks about his career, life and more.
You’ve spent 35 successful years in Bollywood. How have you managed it?
It’s a combination of so many things. Besides hard work and commitment, it’s about the choices you make. Sometimes, you don’t have the privilege to make those choices, as beggars can’t be choosers (smiles). So, luck and God must favour you, and you also need your family’s support. That way, too, I’m fortunate, as I’ve also been always surrounded by great friends. Also, if God has given you so much, you need to respect that, not throw it away. So, be grateful, keep improving and don’t take anything for granted.
You have constantly reinvented yourself... How?
It has been a conscious decision. Since I have a Kapoor surname, when I started my career, I was like, ‘How do I create my own niche?’ So I tried to work with directors like MS Sathyu, Mani Ratnam, Bapu, Shyam Benegal, Mrinal Sen, and Aparna Sen. I thought, ‘If I work with them, I’ll leave a distinct impression, and people will think he is a serious actor, who doesn’t just want to become a star.’ The famous Kapoor family had great actors, but there was a certain kind of glamour and flamboyance in them. Now, Harshvardhan (Kapoor, son) also, somewhere, wants to create his own niche.
What has been your biggest achievement or high?
Each and every day of my life gives me a high, as I find something on a daily basis. My biggest achievement is that even today, when I get up in the morning, I am excited about digging my teeth into a character, going to the sets and meeting people. Also, I find something or the other — it could be a film doing well, a good promo/trailer, having a great workout session, a nice picture of (daughter) Sonam, Rhea’s great idea or Harsh’s work — that gives me a kick. Till date, I haven’t had a day, a full 24 hours, where I haven’t had any kind of high.
And any regrets?
I’m so grateful for everything that there’s no regret. You feel regret when four things out of 10 don’t work out. If nine have worked out well, who will remember one which failed? I’ve done everything with all my heart. Even if I have made any mistake at any point, it has been due to me and not due to anyone else. I’ve not blamed anyone for anything.
For 35 years, what has inspired you to go to work every day?
At the start, I had to earn money as I had to run my household and take care of my wife and kids. The love for cinema will be there when you can earn some money, because it’s your profession, too. So, it’s a combination of lots of things. At every stage, something or the other has motivated me, besides some or the other emotional hook.