"Due to the whistle a fight occurs between Sushant Singh and me" - Rajat Kapoor 
By Satish Sundaresan, September 19, 2008 - 14:09 IST
He is what classy actors are made up of. This multi talented actor went on to reach dizzying heights in Bollywood. He is one man who has done it all and seen it all. Be it theatre, acting, direction. He has not just achieved immense success but also popularity to go with it. Bollywood Hungama caught up with this man, who once though that he was Michael Corleone for 3-4 years and he is also the same man (probably the only one of his kind) who simply refuses to carry a mobile phone by terming it as 'nuisance'. Over to the one and only Rajat Kapoor, whose Hulla releases today.
Rajat, tell us about your role in Hulla?
My role is of a middle class man who has not achieved anything in life. I play a small time trader named Janardhan, who has failure written all over him. The only thing that he can feel proud about, is the fact that he is the secretary of his society. The story of Hulla actually begins when Raj (played by Sushant Singh) who newly moves into the society and thus starts the conflict between the two.
In Hulla, I play a small time trader named Janardhan, who has failure written all over him
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Why the name Hulla?
Hulla is all about noise. Sushant Singh's character (Raj) cannot sleep at night because there is a security guard who blows the whistle throughout the night as per the instructions from Janardhan.
Did the thought ever strike you that the moment people hear the name Hulla; they might relate it to the much hyped film Halla Bol?
I don't think such thing will happen. The promos of the two films are poles apart from each other. I am sure that people are smart enough to know the difference between the two films and will immediately connect with this film.
What role does the whistle play in the film?
Frankly speaking, the whistle is the lead guy of the film. And it's because of the whistle that Sushant cannot sleep. And it's on Janardhan's instructions that the watchman blows the whistle every half an hour. And it's due to this whistle the fight occurs between him and me.
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In Hulla, it's due to the whistle the fight occurs between Sushant Singh and me
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You once said, "Women might play ornamental roles in reel life but they are more powerful than men in real life." Can you elaborate on that as to what you actually meant?
I think women rule the world, not in the literal sense, but at places like home. They lead the way and decide what to choose and we men simply follow them and spend our lives trying to please them.
You also had told once, "In my home I am a slave to my wife (Meenal) and daughter (Rabia)". In that case, are you fully prepared for your wife's reaction when she sees her hubby doing a toweled Ranbir of Saawariya, in your forthcoming film Raat Gayi Baat Gayi?
Its sounds great but the fact remains that I am not doing Saawariya's Ranbir in Raat Gayi Baat Gayi!
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The fact remains that I am not doing Saawariya's Ranbir in Raat Gayi Baat Gayi
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Of all your performances so far, what has been your best ever film experience?
I think Mithya because of the kind of response that it got.
How do you rate Neha Dhupia as a co-star and an actress?
She is really wonderful and I am very fond of her. We have done four films together.
What do awards mean to you?
Awards to me are like a bonus. It's although a matter of prestige at times. But the joy that it brings just lasts for a day or two.
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Awards are matter of prestige at times, but the joy that it brings just lasts for a day or two
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Why is it that you mostly have the 'zara hatke titles' for all your films? Names like Mithya, Hypothesis, Tonight No Show, Must Tell her...That I Love Her, Jojo and the Chair are testimonials to this. Comment.
All of the aforementioned films are basically short films except for Mithya. And in Mithya, I had lot of trouble in trying to keep it. But in the end, it was all ok.
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when we say the following?
Michael Corleone
He is simply my dream character. I was obsessed with Michael Corleone for 3-4 years. So much so that I thought that, I was him!
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I was obsessed with Michael Corleone for 3-4 years. So much so that I thought that, I was him!
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Khayal Gatha…
My first and the biggest learning experience.
Private Detective…
My first feature film, which never got released. Although I won't make a film like that now, but I will always stand by it.
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Although I won't make a film like Private Detective, but I will always stand by it
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Charlie Chaplin…
The greatest actor and filmmaker ever!
Mobile phone…
Nuisance
What are your forthcoming films?
I am doing I am 24 and Raat Gayi Baat Gayi, both with Saurabh Shukla. After that, I have Prisoner (directed by the debutante Prayas Gupta), Dasvidaniya and A Rectangular Love Story (which I am directing).
Lastly, Rajat, you were also supposed to produce Kumar's Shahani next film, which is based on 'Anna Karenina'. You had also termed this as your 'gurudakshina'. What happened?
(Totally surprised) How do you know all this! As far as this film is concerned, I am still hoping to make it happen. If all goes well, we will start shooting this February. The casting is still under consideration.
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"Arrogant Bastards invite fools for dinner" – Rajat Kapoor
