Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Exclusive: “I’m very involved in every project that I do,” says Malang actor Anil Kapoor

There is something timeless about seasoned Bollywood star Anil Kapoor. While several actors who started out their careers in early ‘80s have hung up their boots long ago, Kapoor continues to work with the same vim and vigour even after spending more than four decades in showbiz. The star of such iconic films as Mr. India (1987), Tezaab (1988) and Parinda (1989), never forgets to thank the Almighty for keeping him occupied with work for such an incredibly long stretch of time.

Last seen in Pagalpanti (2019), Anil Kapoor is presently busy promoting his upcoming film Malang, co-starring Aditya Roy Kapur, Disha Patani and Kunal Khemu. Ahead of the release of the romantic action thriller, Eastern Eye caught up with the seasoned actor at Luv Films’ office in Mumbai and talked to him about what led him to sign Malang, his working experience with new-age actors, the failure of Pagalpanti, and much more.


You have played a diverse range of characters in your storied career which spans across four decades. What new are you going to bring to the table in Malang?

This is a dark role, a very, very dark role. There is a lot of anger in my character. He is angry with people in his department, he is angry with the whole system. He is angry with himself, also, to some extent. Earlier, he used to be a different kind of person, but now he has completely changed and become somebody else. Goa has gone through some drastic changes from when he started to till now. He is angry with that change too. He is not happy with his department. So, all these aspects are there, which are very dark. He has reached a state where drinking and smoking do not give him that high anymore. He wants to forget himself, so he tries to get solace in intoxication.

How did you prepare for the role?

Before I started shooting for the film, I did my bit of research just to understand as to why do certain people do such things (substance abuse). I talked to a couple of people and watched some films as well.

I have not played such a dark character ever before in any of my films. This is a commercial film, but I have tried to portray my character in a way that it looks believable. It’s true that I have played a cop many a times before, but this type of cop I am playing for the very first time in my career.

Why did you take up this character?

Because I thought I wouldn’t be able to pull it off. But when people around me say that I can do a certain role, I start thinking that how can I do it? When I get that feeling that I can do it, I like to do that character. Then I get into the skin of that character slowly and slowly.

Having said that, while preparing for Anjaney Agashe in Malang, I was constantly thinking that how would I be able to play such a dark, crazy character. Would people love me in that character? I wanted that when the audience watches it on screen, it should look real. It should emerge as an entertaining character that people love it. They should not cringe while watching him. What happens, at times, is that people do not like certain dark characters because actors overdo it. I wanted to stay away from that. Writing plays an important role here. Aseem Arora has written a wonderful script. Besides that, Mohit Suri has made these kinds of films, like Ek Villain (2014), etc. He presents these characters pretty well. The fact that I had a strong team around me boosted my confidence. People working on this project were young, so I thought it would bring freshness to the film as well. These things helped me and boosted my confidence, so I decided let’s do the film.

Historical films are doing wonders at the box-office. You are also set to feature in a one called Takht.

Yes, I am doing Takht. It is a historical film. I am looking forward to it. Since Karan Johar is making it, it will be mounted on a huge scale. It is a big film.

What, according to you, went wrong with your last release Pagalpanti? You seemed very involved in that project as it reunites you with director Anees Bazmee.

I am very involved in every project that I do. I love working with Anees Bazmee, and I thoroughly loved working with him on Pagalpanti also. I am waiting for him to come to me with yet another script. I really enjoy working with him.

People loved my character in that film, and critics also praised my performance. I read a couple of reviews. What else an artist wants? Appreciation, right? At times it happens so that certain films do not release at the right time. Just before Pagalpanti, a couple of films in the same space had already arrived. So, there was some kind of fatigue, you know. Then destiny also plays a vital role.

After working in Bollywood for over four decades, how do you define success and failure?

It all depends on your journey. If your journey was good and you were happy with it, it is success. And if your films did not do well and you did not enjoy your journey, then it is of no use. I enjoyed working all these years. I have had a wonderful journey. Whatever I did, I did wholeheartedly, to the best of my abilities. The audience did not like some films of mine, and we cannot do anything about that. You have to accept it and move on to the next (project). I have been doing this for forty years now (smiles).

What do you see in a project when someone approaches you to be a part of it?

I think the director, the producer, the star cast and the studio backing it. I have to be confident of the fact that whether or not the studio has resources to make a good film, complete it and then release it properly. Then comes my remuneration. So, these are the things I always keep in mind.

Do you ever look back at your journey and analyse your work and think that maybe you could have done certain roles differently?

No, I never get the time. I finish one film and move on to the next. By the grace of God, I always have work in my hand. Instead I look forward and feel that when will I get to play that new character.

How has Bollywood evolved over the years, according to you?

People are working very hard today and good films are being made. Films are doing good business also. People are making different kinds of movies. I feel there should be more theatres though. There are new platforms available. People are doing such good work on digital platforms. Digital films are being made. So, these are the new changes. I do not miss anything from the past. I am enjoying working today.

As an actor, you have contributed immensely to the industry. Do you want to contribute as a director also?

No, I never feel like (directing). I am happy being an actor. I am happy with acting and production. This is enough for me.

Your film Ram Lakhan (1981) completes 31 years today. Would you like to share some memories from the sets of the film?

Not just Ram Lakhan, I enjoyed working with Subhash Ghai saab on each and every film that we did together. I loved working with him on Karma (1986), Ram Lakhan, Meri Jung (1985) and Taal (1999). I still love the songs of Ram Lakhan. Jackie (Shroff) and I had a lot of fun doing that film. We had great fun. There are some things which I cannot share with you (laughs). Biwi ghar se nikal degi (My wife will throw me out of the house).

Malang has a lot of young actors. How is it different working with young actors than your contemporaries?

It is much more fun working with newcomers. When you work with newcomers, you learn new things from them. You adapt to some of their things. I am not saying that I do not enjoy working with the actors from my age bracket, but working with these new actors is something different. These new actors and directors have new energy. Youth power is youth power, you know.

More For You

26 years of 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam': 5 highlights that made the Bhansali film iconic
KK’s Tadap Tadap turns 26 as Bhansali’s Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam completes 26 iconic years
Amazon

26 years of 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam': 5 highlights that made the Bhansali film iconic

It’s been 26 years since Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam hit the big screen, but Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s rich, emotional tale of love and longing still lingers in the hearts of movie lovers. Starring Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai, and Ajay Devgn, this film was a cultural moment. Here are five things you may not know about this now-iconic musical drama.

1. KK’s Bollywood debut began with heartbreak

Before he became one of the most beloved voices of the 2000s, singer KK got his big Bollywood break with the heart-wrenching song Tadap Tadap. The track, composed by Ismail Darbar and written by Mehboob, captured the raw ache of lost love, and KK’s soul-stirring vocals made it unforgettable. Few know that Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam was his first major entry into Hindi cinema, thanks to Bhansali's knack for spotting rare talent.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rajamouli Builds Massive Set for SSMB29 as Kenya Shoot Nears

SS Rajamouli recreates Varanasi at Ramoji Film City for a key action sequence in SSMB29

Getty Images

SS Rajamouli builds £4.8 million Varanasi set in Hyderabad as 'SSMB29' prepares for Kenya shoot with Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra Jonas

SS Rajamouli isn’t holding back with SSMB29, his latest big-screen spectacle starring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The filmmaker, known for his visual scale and attention to detail, has recreated the holy city of Varanasi in Hyderabad’s Ramoji Film City instead of shooting on location. The reason? The chaotic logistics of filming in the spiritual capital of India.

The set, rumoured to cost £4.8 million (₹50 crore), is a massive replica built specifically for a key sequence in the film. Leaked photos from the set have already gone viral online, giving fans a glimpse of the scale Rajamouli is aiming for. Mahesh Babu will be filming an action sequence here, with VFX work enhancing the visuals. In true Rajamouli style, international graphics studios, some of the best from Hollywood, have been roped in to bring the visuals to life.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jason Isaacs

Jason Isaacs confirms equal pay for all actors in The White Lotus

Getty Images

Jason Isaacs confirms equal pay of £32,000 for all 'The White Lotus' actors despite veteran status

Jason Isaacs has revealed that every cast member of The White Lotus Season 3, regardless of experience or fame, earned the same salary: £32,000 (₹33,60,000) per episode. That totals around £256,000 (₹2,68,80,000) for the full eight-episode run. While that figure might seem significant, Isaacs called it “a very low price” for a hit HBO show, but said he had no complaints.

“We would’ve paid to be in it,” Isaacs said in an interview, adding, “We probably would’ve given a body part.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Scarlett Johansson Dazzles in Westwood at Jurassic World Rebirth Premiere

Scarlett Johansson kisses Jonathan Bailey and dazzles in couture at Jurassic World Rebirth premiere

Getty Images

Scarlett Johansson kisses Jonathan Bailey and stuns in Vivienne Westwood at 'Jurassic World Rebirth’ premiere

Scarlett Johansson returned to the spotlight in a dazzling pink gown at the world premiere of Jurassic World Rebirth, held at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square in London. The event wasn’t just a celebration of the film’s release but also a major red carpet moment for the 39-year-old actress, who has been out of the public eye in recent months.

Wearing a custom Vivienne Westwood corset gown with sequins, Johansson lit up the green carpet with elegance and glamour. Her blush-toned dress featured a sculpted silhouette and soft draping that recalled golden-age Hollywood style, minus the fuss. The styling, handled by her long-time collaborator Kate Young, kept things minimal yet classy, letting the dress do all the talking.

Keep ReadingShow less
The Abyss

James Cameron’s The Abyss pulled from Disney Plus UK after decades-old controversy resurfaces

Instagram/20thcenturystudios

Disney Plus removes James Cameron’s 'The Abyss' in UK over banned rat scene

Nearly four decades after its release, James Cameron’s 1989 sci-fi thriller The Abyss has sparked controversy again, this time on streaming. Disney+ quietly pulled the newly uploaded 4K remaster of the film from its UK platform after complaints resurfaced about a banned scene involving live animal testing.

The specific scene, showing a rat being submerged in oxygenated liquid, has long been a point of contention in the UK. Though the rat reportedly survived the experiment during filming, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) had previously ruled it in breach of the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937. As a result, the sequence was cut from all UK theatrical, television, DVD, and Blu-ray releases. Yet, when Disney+ added the remastered version in April, the uncut version slipped through, triggering backlash from animal welfare groups.

Keep ReadingShow less