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Saif is the kindest, not afraid to pay a compliment
Sacred Games set the benchmark high for original web content being produced in India, and catapulted actor Kubbra Sait, who played Kuckoo, into the limelight. Ever since, she has been offered a lot of projects, and her next, Jawaani Jaaneman, is now set to release.
Talking about her role in the film, she says, “The casting director happened to call me, and said, ‘We are keen on you.’ I said, ‘Okay, when do I come for the audition?’ They replied, ‘We’re calling you for a narration, you’ve got the part.’ I shouted, ‘What! Have I arrived?’ My character is a hairdresser. We all have our hairdressers who we’re best friends with. There’s some sort of freedom, expression or outlet of feelings that happens when you’re with them. I am that secret keeper.”
She also got to reunite with Saif Ali Khan, her co-star in Sacred Games, for the film. “I really enjoyed playing the part! The set and Saif were full of energy; I had to calm myself down because in real life I am full of energy! It’s also my first
Anil Kapoor is a star who knows one shouldn’t get too attached to either success or failure. The actor has spent close to 40 years in films, with a higher ratio of the former, and always manages to look at the positive side even when otherwise. For instance, his last release, the multistarrer Pagalpanti (2019), didn’t meet box office expectations, but instead of mulling over it, he’s putting all his energies into his upcoming film Malang with Disha Patani and Aditya Roy Kapur.
On what prompted him to take up this thriller, Anil says, “It was Luv Ranjan (producer) who introduced the idea to me. Then I met Mohit (Suri, director) and was blown away by his vision for the story. That’s all it took for me to commit to it!”
And he doesn’t shy away from talking about Pagalpanti either. “The thing is, you want every film to be positive. You take out so many good things from there. I’ve been that kind of person. Lots of good things happened, too. I became friends with a lot of people I haven’t worked with, like Arshad (Warsi), spent a lot of time with John (Abraham) and Anees (Bazmee, director) bhai... I feel for Kumar Mangat (Pathak, producer), he’s been associated with Ajay (Devgn) for many years now. He was really banking on this film. You win some, lose some. I think all of us involved in the film are those kind of people who have seen… We just move mainstream film, where I am actually looking damn hot. In my next, Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare, if I play Delhi hot, Jawaani Jaaneman will see me as London hot!” the
36-year-old quips.
On how life has been after Sacred Games, she says, “It unlocked my potential and kind of upped my game, but I have to be grateful for the opportunity that came my way. It was a collective success — writers, directors, a dream team to work with…”
We also mention that Saif had earlier told us her character took the show to the next level. “He’s the kindest,” Kubbra exclaims, “He was once in conversation with a critic about the show, and revealed how Kareena (Kapoor Khan, wife and actor) spoke about my character. What I see in him is generosity of a person who isn’t afraid to [pay a] compliment. That’s what propels you to further heights. It was much after I had signed the film (Jawaani Jaaneman) that I got to know Saif had recommended me for the role. It was the first time I said, ‘Thank you, I hope I don’t let you down’.”
It was much after I had signed the film (Jawaani Jaaneman) that I got to know Saif had recommended me for the role.
KUBBRA SAIT ACTOR
on to the next one,” says the 63year-old, whose youthful looks and wisdom gained over the years make for quite a lethal combination.
Besides Pagalpanti, Anil has worked in many multistarrers in the last few years, including Race 3 (2018), Total Dhamaal and Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga (both 2019). Up next are Malang and Takht. Does he feel such films are tougher as expectations are sky high, owing to a starstudded cast? “That’s okay, it’s part of life na, and show business. Certain films have expectations... it’s got a lot to do with timing and kismet too,” is all he says.
For Malang, Anil had to lose weight and undergo a physical transformation. One wonders whether doing such prep at his age gets tough at times. He quips, “Preparing yourself mentally and physically to slip into a character, especially in an action movie, is tough and demanding at any age. I’ve always been keen on experimenting with different looks for different roles. But Malang was particularly challenging — not only did I have to lose weight for my character, I also had to train extensively to play action sequences as a cop. And I even got a tattoo done!”
ANIL KAPOOR,
Malaika Arora in The Dolls House Fashion in 2020
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Kareena Kapoor Khan at an award function in 2018 wearing Naeem Khan
You win some, lose some. I think all of us involved in the film are those kind of people who have seen… We just move on to the next one.
ACTOR