‘MY DAD DOESN’T INTERFERE WITH MY CHOICES’
Says actor Harshvardhan Kapoor while talking about the kind of roles and movies he chooses to act in
‘FAME IS IMPORTANT TO ME BUT NOT AT THE COST OF HAVING THE ABILITY TO DO WHAT I WANT CREATIVELY . CREATIVE FREEDOM TO ME TRUMPS OVER MONEY AND FAME; IT IS PRICELESS TO ME.’
Since his Bollywood debut in 2016 with Mirziya, the scion of the actor Anil Kapoor has stood out for his choice of movies and roles — unconventional movies.
While stardom and fame remain significant factors for any actor, Harshvardhan wishes to attain it organically. Moving towards that goal is his recent release, Ray, the anthology web series on Netflix.
While the series, inspired by short stories of the late master-storyteller Satyajit Ray, has found its critics and lovers, Harshvardhan, as the lead in Spotlight, has found some favourable reviews for his performance.
Excerpts from an interview:
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO TAKE ON SPOTLIGHT? WAS YOUR DAD INVOLVED IN THE DECISION?
My dad doesn’t interfere with my choices. But we were excited that I would be working with a talented director such as Vasan Bala. In fact, what inspired me here was Vasan Bala, besides the intriguing script.
HOW DO YOU LOOK AT REMAKES/ ADAPTATIONS OF CLASSIC SHORT STORIES FROM SATYAJIT RAY?
Firstly, it’s not an adaptation. The right term to describe Ray would be ‘loosely inspired’ because the director has taken inspiration from the story and successfully made his own story. I also think that’s very courageous and something that Mr Ray himself would’ve wanted to see.
For instance, the film makes interesting points about our obsession and blind followership of religion and how we’re obsessed with and swayed by celebrity culture. The film has an opinion on these matters though not in a heavy-handed manner. It’s very entertaining and bizarre and funny while making these interesting points.
ARE YOU RELIGIOUS-MINDED?
I’m not religious but I believe in a higher power. I believe in being a good person doing good deeds.
YOU COME ACROSS AS CONFIDENT AND AN INTENSE ACTOR. ARE YOU SO AS A PERSON TOO?
I have a tough time disconnecting from my roles. For instance, Spotlight has come out and a lot of people have liked it. But now I want to disconnect and get back to my normal routine — have fun. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has made it more difficult to enjoy life and there is no outlet for us. Normally, whenever a film gets a positive review and a lot of people like it, you’d go out, meet friends, have a drink and celebrate with the industry, etc. But all of that has been taken away from us.
I also had back-to-back film shoots — AK vs AK, Spotlight and Thriller — and their dubbing etc. In between I also bought a new house for myself and moved into it. So a lot has happened in these eight to ten months, and I need to unwind. I also look forward to working on my flexibility so I am trying to put things in order, meditate and lead a normal life for some time. I also plan to travel.
YOU CHOOSE UNCONVENTIONAL FILMS UNLIKE THE NEW RISING ACTORS WHO PREFER COMMERCIAL FILMS.
Those unconventional films reflect my tastes and sensibilities. It comes from what I consumed when at a younger age when my mind was impressionable. For instance, Mirzya released but didn’t do well, but I always knew the kind of films I wanted to do and that journey is indeed unconventional. When people have very conventional expectations from you but you chose differently, it will obviously take time to make a mark. I’m just grateful
for the work I’ve done and am looking forward to my next.
HOW IMPORTANT IS FAME TO YOU?
COVID-19 HAS MADE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO ENJOY LIFE AND THERE IS NO OUTLET FOR US. NORMALLY, WHENEVER A FILM GETS A POSITIVE REVIEW AND A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE IT, YOU’D GO OUT, MEET FRIENDS, HAVE A DRINK AND CELEBRATE WITH THE INDUSTRY, ETC. BUT ALL OF THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN AWAY FROM ALL OF US.
Fame is important to me but not at the cost of having the ability to do what I want creatively. Creative freedom to me trumps over money and fame; it is priceless to me. I am hoping fame also happens but organically, rather than me consciously trying to make an effort to achieve — I believe if it happens that way, it will last longer. In other words, do it on your own terms.
My choices of AK vs AK, Bhavesh Joshi and Spotlight are the reflection of the films that I’d like to watch. I just want to do films I’m passionate about. And these are films that would have stood the test of time.
WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE FILMS?
I have Thriller, a film that was shot and completed between December 2020 and January and February 2021. My dad and I are working together and it’s a romantic comedy set in Goa. I cannot divulge more about it other than that we have some patch work and dubbing remaining.
Then there’s a biopic on Abhinav Bindra though currently it’s in the writing stage, for which I’ve contributed some inputs.