It is fine when the wealthy throw lavish birthday parties, says Annu
My wife gave me the biggest surprise on my 50th birthday by throwing a lavish party, inviting family and friends from the US, South Africa, Canada, Turkey and Europe. I was overwhelmed.
ANNU KAPOOR ACTOR
Some opt for grand celebrations while others prefer to keep things lowkey. When it comes to marking his birthday, actor Annu Kapoor prefers the latter. This year will be no different as the actor, who turns 64 today, would be on a film set, and he is not complaining. In a candid chat, Kapoor, known for his roles in Mr India (1987), Vicky Donor (2012) and Jolly LLB 2 (2017), looks back at his life and career. Excerpts:
How old or should I say how young are you turning this year? What plans?
I never had the eternal youth obsession, so I’ll be turning 64 and certainly 64 years isn’t young. Jesus said, ‘Blessed are people who are like children as they will inherit the kingdom of heaven.’ Why did he say people like children? A child is innocent and he grows up to face the agony and miseries of life. Occasional glimpses of happiness enhance the complexity of existence. We don’t remain innocent and thus we need old people, who’re wise and innocent. This is one of the most difficult thing to achieve. I have a movie shoot and no special plans to celebrate my birthday
In Bollywood, people throw elaborate birthday bashes, are you a believer of such parties? It’s fine when wealthy people throw lavish birthday parties, and it’s good in the present system of taxation, as they are accountable of every penny they spend. Thus restraining their vulgar display of wealth.
Any memory of a particular birthday that you fondly remember?
My wife, Anupama, is born and brought up in USA. She gave me the biggest surprise on my 50th birthday by throwing a lavish party, inviting family and friends from the US, South Africa, Canada,Turkey and Europe. I was overwhelmed. On that day, in the evening, I was the anchor at an event presided by the then President of India, APJ Abdul Kalam. My wife insisted that I come to a hotel after the event, and when I reached, there was a blast!
A lot has been said about how the film industry is going through a change. As an actor, do you think there is some tangible difference?
The film industry has been expanding and becoming more professional. It’s opening new avenues to generate work for all types of technicians and artists. Those who could not even dream about a home in Mumbai are now a proud owner of a property. So if a person is sitting at home without work, there can be only two reasons for it — either it is his/her choice to not work or he/ she is so bad at this job that no one wants to work with them. We hardly have people in the second category.