"I had written Ranvir's role for Naseer in 1998" - Rajat Kapoor 
By Bollywood Hungama News Network, February 8, 2008 - 15:25 IST
The saying “Gold only shines better with age”, suits this B-town actor- turned-director to a 'T'. This 'Been there, done that' man is indeed a perfectionist in whatever he does. He is one man who believes in living his imagination through screen. If you still haven't figured out as to who is he, then, allow us to unmask him as the one and only Rajat Kapoor, the dude called 'Ranjeet Thadani' in Bheja Fry and also the director of Mithya, which released in theaters today. For all those who missed the chat with this innovative dude Bollywood Hungama brings you the excerpts of the chat.
Zaki: Hello sir, what is Mithya all about?
Rajat Kapoor: Zaki, Mithya is about the fiction of self...we create a fake identity of ourselves...like I am Rajat Kapoor and I like black coffee and I am married too,so and so but who is this 'I"?
Bird: Hello, what made you to get into direction?
Rajat Kapoor: Bird, since I was 15 years old I knew I would make films, I just didn't know how to go about it, and then I went to FTII in 1985.
Bird: Hello, what made you to get into direction?
Rajat Kapoor: Bird, since I was 15 years old I knew I would make films and I just didn't know how to go about it and then I went to FTII in 1985. |
Bird: Hi, why Ranvir as the main character?
Rajat Kapoor: Bird, I had written it for Naseer in 1998 but by the time I got money to make it I thought Ranvir is the best possible choice and I think it is his role of a lifetime.
Lakpa: Hi...Raghu Romeo, why do you think the film didn't do well?
Rajat Kapoor: Raghu Romeo was released badly and at a wrong time.
Lakpa: As I know you are a brilliant man, will you define yourself?
Rajat Kapoor: Lakpa passionate, dreamy, positive, perseverant, and above all grateful.
Lets: How long did you take to make Mithya?
Rajat Kapoor: It took 10 yrs to make Mithya but actual shooting days were 42.
Lets: How long did you take to make Mithya?
Rajat Kapoor: It took 10 yrs to make Mithya but actual shooting days were 42. |
Paris: Hi, Mr. Rajat Kapoor, have you been inspired to be like your role model as you are today? Who is your idol?
Rajat Kapoor: Paris, it should be Charlie Chaplin, Felony, Ritwik Ghatak, Ozu, Billy wilder, woody Allen, Scorsese, Pedro Almodovar, and do you want me to go on
Paris: Hi, Mr. Rajat Kapoor, have you been inspired to be like your role model as you are today? Who is your idol?
Rajat Kapoor: Paris, it should be Charlie Chaplin, Felony, Ritwik Ghatak, Ozu, Billy wilder, woody Allen, Scorcese, Pedro Almodovar, and do you want me to go on |
Lets: Hi, How did you come up with Mixed Doubles?
Rajat Kapoor: Lets, Mixed Doubles was just a look at the modern urban relationships and there is more of that coming in future
Sandy: Hi Rajat...Freaked on are Romeo but didn't care much for Mixed Doubles. What can I expect from Mithya?
Rajat Kapoor: Sandy, Mithiya should be bigger and better than the other.
Lets: Do you use real life experiences in your films even small incidents?
Rajat Kapoor: Lots of small incidents.
Khan: you were fantabulous in Khoya Khoya Chand...have you ever researched on that era?
Rajat Kapoor: Khan, I just like films form the 50's a lot and thank you very much
David: Hi Rajat...so do you think Ranvir and Neha have done justice to your film...or you expected a little more?
Rajat Kapoor: They have done more than I have expected.
David: Hi Rajat...so do you think Ranvir and Neha have done justice to your film...or you expected a little more?
Rajat Kapoor: They have done more than I have expected. |
Paris: What's your best ever experience in a movie until date?
Rajat Kapoor: Paris, it should be making Mixed Doubles I guess.
Lets: Under whose guidance in FTII did you learn filmmaking
Rajat Kapoor: Lets, Kumar Shahani and Mani Kaul.
Indi: Hi! Mixed was a brilliant film loved the concept...are you planning to do a commercial big budget film?
Rajat Kapoor: indi Never.
Khan: Where do you see yourself 10 yrs from now?
Rajat Kapoor: Khan, I'll be 57, in the next 10 years I would have made another 4 films and 2 or 3 new plays.
Sandy: Your favorite h'wood & b'wood film?
Rajat Kapoor: Sandy, b'wood film is Pyaasa and h 'wood film is Godfather.
Paris: How has it been working with Naseeruddin Shah?
Rajat Kapoor: Paris, Naseer is a great friend and great support. And someone whom I admire so it has been wonderful.
Paris: How has it been working with Naseeruddin Shah?
Rajat Kapoor: Paris, Naseer is a great friend and great support. And someone whom I admire so it has been wonderful. |
Lets: What is your dream role?
Rajat Kapoor: Lets, there's nothing like that but I wanted to play an idiot (Dostoevsky)
Lets: With whom you wish to work with?
Rajat Kapoor: Should be Saif, Shahrukh and Kareena.
Namri: Hi Rajat ...they say you are a man of few words is it true? ...What do you like doing when you're not making films?
Rajat Kapoor: Namri, I talk a lot, who says I am a man of few words, only on the Lola kutty show because she didn't let me speak.
Rajat Sharma: hi, Rajat! I am a great fan of yours...how are you? After talking to you on phone I believe you to be the most approachable and down to earth person in the industry.
Rajat Kapoor: Thank you Rajat, I'll try to keep that going.
Papaji: Hi Rajat...of all the movies in 2007 which has been the best according to you?
Rajat Kapoor: Chak De India
Papaji: You have struggled a lot to reach this level, how do you feel?
Rajat Kapoor: I think you have to believe in yourself and your dreams and follow them honestly thanks.
timor2007: HI, What do you think about Ajay Devgan? Will you cast him in your next film?
Rajat Kapoor: I like him as an actor and will cast him if there is a role for him.
Paris: Do you think popular cinema have become distanced from reality?
Rajat Kapoor: I hope some of my sensibility reflects in the film.
Paris: Do you think popular cinema have become distanced from reality?
Rajat Kapoor: I hope some of my sensibility reflects in the film. |
Namri: What comprises a good film?
Rajat Kapoor: Namri, I think a film that has an independent voice and has a vision.
Namri: Any movies which will be like Bheja fry...I almost fell down from the seat while watching it.
Rajat Kapoor: Namri, two films that Saurabh Shukla has directed last year I am 24 and Raat Gayee Baat Gayee
Nanda: you seem to be repeating the same cast in all your films' doesn't you experiment with the other actors in the industry?
Rajat Kapoor: Nanda, its not true, Ranvir has been there in only 2 of my films and I am very open to working with others too ...i worked with Vijay Raaz, Sadia , Maria in Raghu Romeo.
Papaji: According to you who are the best performer in the film?
Rajat Kapoor: Ranvir for sure....it's a role of a lifetime.
Papaji: According to you who are the best performer in the film?
Rajat Kapoor: Ranvir for sure....it's a role of a lifetime. |
David: Rajat, would you rate Mithya as your best work so far?
Rajat Kapoor: I think so David and I hope so.
Papaji: Have you seen TZP? If yes than how it was?
Rajat Kapoor: I thought the first half of TZP was wonderful...second half was nothing.
Sandeep: I just loved you in Bheja Fry people talks of other performances but I liked yours?
Rajat Kapoor: Thanks sandeep...it's always hard to play the straight guy.
Adi7775: You had worked with Aamir and Preity in Dil Chahta Hai...What do you think about Aamir?
Rajat Kapoor: Aamir is a very fine actor and is really passionate and committed.
Paris: Who's your favorite movie director?
Rajat Kapoor: I already gave my list of favorite movie directors.
Papaji: What is your favorite subject which you would like to explore in future?
Rajat Kapoor: I suppose there is a lot, one can explore about relationships and the meaning of life.
Namri: So you like to enact more in theatre or in movies?
Rajat Kapoor: Theatre is an incredible high.
Cool blues: Hi, after Mixed Dobules, would you be working with Anurag kashyap again?
Rajat Kapoor: Hopefully if Anurag has the time.
Cool blues: Sir, don't you think Mithya sounds similar on the lines of Don.
Rajat Kapoor: Cool blues, is Don without the songs.
Cool blues: Sir, don't you think Mithya sounds similar on the lines of Don.
Rajat Kapoor: Cool blues, is Don without the songs. |
Papaji: Your favorite Bollywood couple?
Rajat Kapoor: Papaji, me and my wife
Sandeep: what's your take on Om Shanti Om?
Rajat Kapoor: I don't care for it, Sandeep.
Paris: Did you have any problem getting actors to work on in your film?
Rajat Kapoor: I did have some problems, as some actors are still inaccessible.
Papaji: besides film what you like most and why?
Rajat Kapoor: Spending time with my children.
Paris: If are given a choice to act in one classic film from the yesteryears, which one will you choose & why?
Rajat Kapoor: Well I have played a pedophile what can be worse.....but wait if I have to dance a lot will be scared one.
Paris: If are given a choice to act in one classic film from the yesteryears, which one will you choose & why?
Rajat Kapoor: Well I have played a pedophile what can be worse.....but wait if I have to dance a lot will be scared one |
Nisha: When you made Raghu Romeo, you had to raise funds through the Internet. From then to Mithya, have things become easier?
Rajat Kapoor: Nisha a lot easier and unbelievably so, fortunately.
David: Do you compromise between stars and actors while making a film?
Rajat Kapoor: No I don't compromise, never.
Adi7775: Your views on Konkona Sen Sharma in the movie?
Rajat Kapoor: I love Konkona.... I think she is brilliant.
Papaji: Who's your style icon?
Rajat Kapoor: Obviously not.
Paris: What was the last film you saw that made you go I wish I was in that?
Rajat Kapoor: Paris, Godfather.
Sandeep: Sir, what is your opinion on SRK?
Rajat Kapoor: I think SRK has incredible charm and magnetism.
Sandeep: Sir, what is your opinion on SRK?
Rajat Kapoor: I think SRK has incredible charm and magnetism. |
Papaji: How far it is true that our filmmaker picks ideas from Hollywood films and most of them try to follow their footstep?
Rajat Kapoor: A lot of them do get picked from the Hollywood?
5star: Hello Rajat Bhai when you are coming to Pakistan???
Rajat Kapoor: Soon inshallah
Cool blues: what's your opinion about a movie like No Smoking?
Rajat Kapoor: No smoking didn't work for me at all.
David: What would you prefer- Rajat as an actor or Rajat as a director?
Rajat Kapoor: Rajat as a director.
Sandeep: I didn't like you in Monsoon... too villainous... you shouldn't do negative roles.
Rajat Kapoor: Sandeep...I try not to do them now.
Niki: Hi...What's the one thing that you would want to change about yourself?
Rajat Kapoor: Niki I wish I could do with less hours of sleep.
Paris: What kinds of movies do you like doing the most, such as comedy, thriller or drama?
Rajat Kapoor: I like gangster film.
Cool blues: Would you like to do a remake and if yes then for which movie?
Rajat Kapoor: I won't like to do remakes because I have many stories to tell myself?
Papaji: According to you what is required to be a great director?
Rajat Kapoor: A vision and courage to stick to it
indi : Is it necessary to have a formal training to direct a movie, I have made a short film (22mins) on a digi beta... and want to make couple of more on a handy cam before I go on to make a film.. Can you advise me on this?
Rajat Kapoor: Just follow your conviction to the end, Indi.
Roshni: How honest do you think Hindi film awards are?? Do you care for them?
Rajat Kapoor: No I don't care for awards.
Roshni: How honest do you think Hindi film awards are?? Do you care for them?
Rajat Kapoor: No I don't care for awards |
David: Would you like to cast Himesh in any of your films?
Rajat Kapoor: David, if there is a role.
Nisha: Naseer is still there in the film. Did he have any problem giving up the lead and stepping back?
Rajat Kapoor: No Naseer is a wonderful guy.
Nisha: From Private Detective to Mithya has Rajat Kapoor changed as a director. Is he more conscious of the market?
Rajat Kapoor: Nisha, not more conscious but it took me a long time to find my voice.
Dreamers. Space: Do you like Martin Scorsese gangster movies or Coppopla's godfather series?
Rajat Kapoor: All of them Godfather.
Cool blues: Why you always do typical sophisticated roles, why don't you experiment with your range?
Rajat Kapoor: Well I would like to - you know the problem with this industry is that they tend to stereotype you. So after doing one corporate I get 40 similar roles... And I end up saying no to all of them. You will see a different Rajat in Saurabh's I am 24 and Jaideep's hulla this year. Hope i Cool blues: Why you always do typical sophisticated roles, why don't you experiment with your range?
Rajat Kapoor: To all, it was nice talking...it's a new forum for me....and I hope Mithya lives up to whatever expectations you have.... I am pretty pleased with the film. Alright guys- thanks... and bye bye..
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