THIS IS A IN NEW PHASE MY CAREER: ANIL KAPOOR

A nil Kapoor is looking at the current stage in his career as a new phase. With biggies such as Jug Jug Jeeyo and Animal in hand, he says, “I feel much more exciting things are being offered to me in the last ten years. Young and experienced filmmakers are wanting me in their films, approaching me with scripts, which are new age. It’s a great situation to be in. What’s important is that you’re getting respect as well, professionally and financially, all the boxes are ticked.”

Currently he’s winning praise from all quarters for his performance in the web film AK vs AK, in which he starred alongside Anurag Kashyap. He says that the reactions have been ‘tremendous’. “It’s been overwhelming, and from all over the globe and not just India,” says the 64-year-old.

Kapoor plays himself in the film. However, he is quick to add, “I wasn’t playing myself but an exaggerated version of myself. Yes it was tough in a way. It was first of it’s kind, it could have gone completely wrong, there was dark humour. (There were thoughts like) ‘will they get it’, you are making fun of yourself, with direct digs. I am very secure within myself, but you never know till you start working.”

Having been a big screen hero for 40 years of his life, doing a film meant for OTT must have come with it’s own set of naysayers. He responds, “Yes, it was the same when I did television series 24. When I went to all heads of channels, they said ‘you are a big screen star, why are you doing this? You aren’t doing a reality show as a judge, but you are playing the character, why do you have to do it?’”

That it did well is another story. “People still talk about it and ask when is the third season coming,” he adds.

The actor says he is very secure as an artiste and has never paid heed to questions about transitioning between mediums