“I’ve been called the ‘next big thing’ for the longest time” – Ranbir Kapoor: Part 2 2 : Bollywood News

Ranbir Kapoor is charming, he is witty and he is ripped. He is as likeable as a guy that handsome can be. Yes, the days of his towel dance are over. It's the guitar that's taken over everything now, but that hasn't changed the fact that he has yet again taken over the centre stage - getting all the attention, the screams, the kisses, the blessings and the undisputed love from his fans. But when I met Ranbir, he looked more to me like a rebel and that one quality any rebel would possess was pretty evident on his face as he answered my questions. It was his greed and anguish to get rid of the tag that he's been wearing since his debut, 'The Next Big Thing'. Ranbir quotes, "I guess it's time for me to shake things up and prove myself. I've been called this 'Next Big Thing' for the longest time and if I don't become the 'big thing' then someone from behind me will come and become the next big superstar". With critical acclaim ringing in his ears and a multitude of projects on the go, here's presenting you the unassuming, unpredictable and uncaged rebel - Part 2 of the Ranbir Kapoor exclusive only on Bollywood Hungama.

“I’ve been called the ‘next big thing’ for the longest time” – Ranbir Kapoor: Part 2

"I detached myself from friends and family after I finished Rockstar. I felt very empty"

This character was very difficult for me because I don't know Janardhan Jakhad. I thought that I had got a role of a lifetime and I had to undergo a lot of prep work superficially. Imtiaz and I went to the 'jat' family. We lived with them; we got to know a lot of things: how they spoke, how they ate, their jokes, their relationships, the way they dress, the way they walk, we went dancing with them and also went to the 'dhaba'. I also learnt how to play the guitar. But I did all this because as an actor I needed to grasp certain nuances. Once we finished the ground work, my aim was to marry Imtiaz's mind. I remember that after I finished Rockstar I was feeling the void. It felt empty. I lied on my bed and detached myself from my friends and family for quite a few days. Of course, it was a temporary phase. But the whole journey of Rockstar was very gratifying indeed.

"I've been called the 'next big thing' for the longest time but if I don't, then someone from behind me will come and become the next big superstar tomorrow"

I am searching for respect, I am searching for greatness in my work, I am searching for a nod of approval from my father. But I really haven't figured it out yet. It's been three and a half years and seven films old. I've just been lucky and been there at the right place at the right time. I've got much more than I deserve by the media, fans and the film fraternity. I guess it's time for me to shake things up and prove myself. I've been called this 'Next Big Thing' for the longest time and if I don't become the 'big thing' then I will always be called the 'Next Big Thing', and someone from behind me will come and become the next big superstar. I really need to get aware of my career now.

"There's a difference between interfering and involving. I try to involve myself as much as I can"
I do give my inputs to Imtiaz and the crew. It's simply because I believe so much in the subject matter. Filmmaking is not a dictatorship; it's a marriage of mind. You have to have your point of view. You can't just go there and do as you feel like just because someone tells you to. Imtiaz is not like that. He is very welcoming. He welcomes your point of view. It can also be Inder's, my spot boy's, point of view. He is someone who really likes to get everyone involved. There's a difference between interfering and involving. I try to involve myself as much as I can but I had so much respect for Imtiaz's talent, his intelligence, his patience, etc. He made the job easy for me. If Rockstar does well, eighty percent of everyone's victory is Imtiaz's victory because he has contributed so much.

"I was feeling the heat while I was filming Rockstar with Nargis"

I was feeling the heat while I was filming Rockstar with Nargis (laughs). I was just amazed at the ability of Nargis to give in so much to her role. She didn't know Hindi, she didn't know who Imtiaz and I were, she didn't know who Amitabh Bachchan is, she hasn't seen any Hindi movie, etc. But Imtiaz just loved her energy. He believed that she is the right girl to play Heer. Nargis worked hard for half a year before she embarked her journey in Rockstar as Heer. Today she writes and learns Hindi and when I saw the film I understood that a girl who doesn't know craft of acting, really had to go through that experience. She had to feel the emotion. Heer isn't an easy character to portray. She just doesn't wear short dresses and runs around the bushes. She is actually the protagonist of the film because everything that happens to Janardhan is because of Heer.

"As far as love is concerned, it's the greatest emotion in the world"

Love and relationships only adds to the person we become. The relationships you've had in life with your girlfriend, family or friends, it just grows you as a person. It enriches you. There are so many experiences that you share with that person. You have an exposure to different kinds of emotions too. As an actor it's very valuable because you can use those emotions in your work because there is more sense of truth. As far as love is concerned, it's the greatest emotion in the world. It can drive you to rage, destruction, happiness, bliss, etc. But you should have a sense and sensibility of life. Sometimes relationships don't work out. You can't just become angry and use someone else for solace. You should feel the heart break, feel the emotion, the pain, etc.

Twitter fans:

Wake Up Gourav - When are you joining Twitter?

"Yaar, I'm a little shy to be on Twitter because I feel that it's not the cool thing to do. I don't want to clarify rumours, to promote my movies, etc. I am an introvert. I have nothing against people who are on twitter. But as an actor, I would like to withhold some mystery about myself."

Asad A Khan - What does an actor need most?

"He needs the ability to be shameless."

Katina Soraya - Stop talking about your private life, will you?

"Well, thank you so much Katina. The thing is that we do an interview that lasts for half an hour and in that there are always two to three personal questions that are thrown in to us by journalists. But people highlight those answers, those questions and blow it up. I cannot shy away from it. I can't lie. But yes, thank you for your advice and yes, that's the plan."

Hena Khan - What's the finest experience during the filming of Rockstar?

"Hena, the finest experience was the relationship I built with Imtiaz Ali. I've learnt so much from that man and I know I've made a friend for life."

Mandvi Sharma - How do you define your generation of Kapoors: Bebo, Lolo and you?

"Hi Mandvi, My family has been contributing to Indian cinema for more than 70 years now and I guess every generation has had a successful actor because we have a sense of individuality. We don't have a chip on the shoulder and we don't take our work for granted. I am very proud of Bebo's and Lolo's success and talent. I hope our future generations also carry the legacy forward."

Priya Sharma - Do you want to get married to someone from the industry or outside the industry?

"Priya, the unfortunate thing is that we don't really have a life outside our movies. We are really caught up with our work and we have to sacrifice a lot of our personal life too. We don't often meet real people and the only people we meet are from the industry. I don't really have a fixed notion if I'll get married to someone from the industry or outside the industry. Love happens at any point but the day I fall in love, I'll definitely get married."

Garima Wadhwa - What do you think of Imtiaz as a person?

"Garima, we all know that Imtiaz is a terrific director but let me tell you; he is the finest person I've ever met in my life."

Rahul Datta - Is Rockstar or Barfee your career best so far?

"Well, as of now I've surrendered myself to Rockstar. Barfee, we have finished 40%. So let's see, after I finish Barfee may be it will turn out to be my best."

Amazyn Peri - Have you been to Scotland? How is it?

"I'd love to go to Glasgow some day. I'm glad that you want me to visit Scotland and even I too want to. So, I shall remember that."

Zinnia - How do you manage your hectic schedule and still look so calm?

"Zinnia, I love what I do and I am very grateful that I am getting to do what I love. Everybody should do what they love in life because that's what's important. That's what will keep you fresh and look calm after hectic schedules."