All Action Superhero

by ASJAD NAZIR

HARSHVARDHAN KAPOOR STARS IN VIGILANTE DRAMA BHAVESH JOSHI

VIGILANTE drama Bhavesh Joshi Superhero smashes its way into cinemas this week, and if all goes to plan it could be a potential game-changer for Hindi cinema.

The comic book-inspired drama sees Harshvardhan Kapoor take on the lead role of a young man who goes on an extraordinary journey which culminates in him putting on a mask and taking on a corrupt system. The son of Bollywood legend Anil Kapoor and brother of Sonam Kapoor has poured his heart into the demanding film very much rooted in reali­ty and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane.

The rising star was feeling quietly confident when Eastern Eye caught up with him to talk about Bhavesh Joshi Superhero and more...

When did you first get connected to Bhavesh Joshi Superhero?

I read the script for the first time in 2012 and it was quite different to what we ended up making. It evolved over time. It had a lot of angst, emo­tion and was extremely well written. It was something that hadn’t been seen before. That is something I look for.

I have only done the two movies and made the three choices, but I look for something new and exciting. Bhavesh Joshi was a vigilante film that was like a graphic novel, comic book kind of world. It was a very specific world that was original and in Vikram’s mind. He is one of the best directors in the country. The combi­nation of him and he making this film was something I just had to do.

But didn’t you think it was too experi­mental for Indian audiences because this is more like a Hollywood film?

I don’t think it is like a Hollywood film, especially when you see it. From the promos you might feel like that because there is a character in a mask, which you generally associate with American cinema. It is a story of a normal, ordinary, middle class boy who finds himself in extraordinary circumstances and decides to do something he wouldn’t normally do. Through that journey, he realises he is destined for bigger things.

The trailer has definitely surprised a lot of people...

The trailers and teasers have created intrigue and received a positive re­sponse. But it’s only two minutes and doesn’t give the entire film away. Yes, there is a character in a mask, but when you see the film you will realise this is something so different. It’s unique and I think Indian audiences are ready for new things.

As long as audiences connect to a story, emotion and character, they don’t mind how something is project­ed. It is not the typical larger than life character, but Bhavesh Joshi is a com­mercial Hindi film with great action, drama, songs, romance and comedy. It does have all the elements.

How much physical training did you have to do for the role?

I am not someone who has been a martial artist since I was young, so I had to do the best I could in the limited time I had. We had great action chore­ographers who mapped out sequenc­es really well. I took a few months of training and gave it my best.

Was the physical side the biggest challenge you faced with this film?

I think the biggest challenge was the graph of the character because he goes through a huge transformation in the film emotionally. So I had to hit all the right notes in that sense.

The action was kind of secondary. Obviously I had to make the action look authentic, but it is a perform-ance-orientated film.

Do you have a favourite moment in the movie?

Maybe I can answer this question af­ter it comes out. The thing with doing films like this is you hope they do well and you can make more. It’s very rare to get studios to make these kinds of movies, especially here. The whole ex­perience was something that will never leave me. It has been amazing!

You have only started your career but are already taking on demand­ing films; where does that adven­turous spirit come from?

When you are from a film family, they do expect you to do the more stand­ard things initially to create the fan base. I never looked at it like that. When you are prepping for a film for a year, going on set for 90 days and promoting it afterwards you want to do something you really believe in.

I want to entertain people and give them entertaining films they will think about long after they leave the cinema halls. I understand it is a risk, but I think it is a risk worth taking. Whenever someone sees a trailer for my film, I want them to feel this is in­triguing and something they haven’t seen before. I think that is exciting.

Who is your favourite superhero in terms of Hollywood films?

To be very honest Asjad, I am not a very big superhero guy. I actually don’t really like superhero films. I feel they are too unrealistic and you know exactly what is going to happen, and that the hero is never go­ing to die. I know that it is called Bhavesh Joshi Super­hero, but when you see it, it is not that and basically an ex­tremely real film.

When you see Vikram’s past films Lootera, Udaan and Trapped, they are extremely grounded in reality. This takes the idea of a vigilante and does that. The idea that comes through is that there is a superhero in us all and the choices we make define us. That is where the film’s line “he­roes are not born, they are made” comes from.

Who are the biggest superheroes that you know in everyday life?

I don’t see us actors as heroes. People like the soldiers on the front line who protect us are the real heroes. Politicians and police who refuse to give into corruption are heroes.

The great phenomenal people who go work in villages and help people for nothing. Those charity workers who make those great sacrifices. These people are the true heroes. So they are all inspirational.

One of the other heroes in your life is your legendary father Anil Kapoor. What is the best advice he has given you?

To kind of just follow my instincts, be myself and embrace my individuality.

What is your favourite movie of his?

I really like Mr India. Since we are on the topic of vigilantes, I think that it is appropriate.

Do you have a dream role?

I want to do a sci-fi film like Blader­unner, which I thought was fantastic Or one of the Ryan Gosling and Nico­las Winding collaborations, like Drive or Only God Forgives.

I would like to do a Hindi sci-fi film that is contemporary or set in the fu­ture. I feel like it is a very unexplored space. I also feel like horror/thriller as a genre is completely untouched and unexplored in Hindi cinema. Whenever we end up making horror films in Bollywood they are not ones I am used to watching like The Shining or more recently A Quiet Place. So sci-fi and a horror thriller are genres I find exciting right now.

What drives you?

To be original and make good choic­es. To try and do something new. All of those things!

Why do you love cinema?

I think it has an ability with the whole audio-visual element to transport you into different worlds. It stays with you long after you’ve had that experience.

• Bhavesh Joshi Superhero is in cine­mas now