“You should not take concept of being ‘hero’ seriously” – Anil Kapoor

By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

January 29, 2013 - 11:18 AM IST

There is a lot happening in the life of Anil Kapoor. In between releasing Race 2 and stepping up the ante for '24', shooting of which is all set to kick-start next month, he also participated in an 'In Conversation' event at TIFF Bell Lightbox. At the Toronto Film Festival, he was invited on a global platform to discuss his versatile and prolific career in film and television, as well as what's next for him in the pipeline. Soon after the event, Anil Kapoor headed to Los Angeles (from where he did this interview) before landing in London and then returning to his base Mumbai.

“You should not take concept of being ‘hero’ seriously” – Anil Kapoor

The way you are globetrotting, this indeed seems to be the busiest ever outing for you, isn't it?

It has all been worth it though. The 'In Conversation' that I did was quite interesting as they have a history of calling international actors of caliber. Last year it was Susan Sarandon, this year it was me. It was good to see clippings of my films being shown as we conversed. When you have features like Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, Slumdog Millionaire and '24' to Mashaal, Mr. India, Lamhe, Tezaab, Viraasat and Parinda play in front of you, you do feel you have done something right. But then there are so many wrongs also that become visible (laughs).

Really? How?

Well, you go back and see that kya maine itna bura kaam kiya tha (laughs). I saw this scene that I had done with Dilip Kumar in Mashaal or one of those scenes from Lamhe jahan meri bahaut tareef hui thi. And here I was thinking ki yaar yeh kaisa bol raha hoon main.

Come on, you are being modest...

Arrey modest nahi, sach mein aisa lagta hai. As an actor, you tend to find faults in your performance, especially after so many years have gone by. However, I won't deny that it was great to go down the memory lane. Usually I start my interviews by saying that I don't like looking back. However the way it was done at this event, I really liked what was shown to me. I was asked questions by the host, followed by a panel and then the audience which was a good mix of national and international. It was an amazing experience.

What is also amazing is to see the kind of business that Race 2 has done in its first three days.

(Smiles) Today the whole business has become weekend centric to a certain extent. The kind of massive expectations that are built for the film and the hype helps these collections. Of course ultimately after a few days it would be the film that would do the talking. I and you cannot judge that to what extent would the film go; it would be audience verdict finally. I don't think anyone from trade can predict where we would go or a critic can decide whether the film would work or not.

In Race 2, you were an integral part of the film but came in late in the narrative. This time around you are there from start to the finish.

Again, I am exactly the same way as I was in Race since my role is the same. Obviously the situations have changed though due to which I come so early. See, there are some roles that have a very good recall value and my part of Robert D'Costa enjoys that in the same way as Majnu from Welcome did. These roles have become iconic over a period of time since they lend this 'tadka' to the narrative. These are commercially set to give the film a massy touch.

Well, you were nothing less than a hero in Welcome at least. I am sure quite a few would vouch for that.

See, you do all kind of films and what is important is to be attached to good films which are going to be successful. Also, the journey involved in making a film has to be good. There are certain films where it is not about who is the hero of the film but is about everyone in there. So when the film clicks, everyone gains. Same is the case with Race also. So you should not take it seriously when someone says that 'you are a hero' or 'you are not a hero'. You have to be just happy doing all the films, that's where the fun lies. Agar main sirf hero ke roles karne ka socha hota to itni interesting filmein nahi aati mere paas!