Entertainment | Film & Cinema
'Bollywood had begun to take me for granted'
Anil Kapoor is celebrating the international adulation of his new film Slumdog Millionaire but then again, adulation is all in a day's work for the Bollywood star
- By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:27 December 17, 2008
- Anil Kapoor is celebrating the international adulation of his new film Slumdog Millionaire but then again, adulation is all in a day's work for the Bollywood star.
- Image Credit: hmed Ramzan/Gulf News
At the beginning of the interview, Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor is determined not to sound or act like Prem Kumar, the cocky and arrogant game-show host he portrays in his maiden Hollywood venture, Slumdog Millionaire. But the harder he tries, the tougher it seems for the award-winning actor to stick to his task.
For starters, the Mumbai-based seasoned actor seems to have developed an accent that's a cross between an American twang and a British drawl. Sounding more like an Indian call-centre executive attending to his Western client, Kapoor has this uncanny ability to look straight ahead while avoiding any direct eye-contact. Barring the strange body language that makes him seem like he inhabits a parallel universe, Kapoor is as warm as they come and is basking in the glorious global reception of his first international release.
"Stop me if I sound anything like my character, Prem Kumar," he says. "I have seen Slumdog in its raw format, at the London Film Festival and in LA and I can't wait to see it in Dubai.
"I love the film and I love my character. But let me be all humble and honest, and praise everybody else's work other than mine. What do you say?" he asks with a cheeky grin.
In an incredibly upbeat mood, Kapoor, one of Bollywood's long enduring stars has every reason to rejoice since Danny Boyle's Slumdog has already generated Oscar buzz, swept three major awards at the British Independent Film Awards and has been nominated in the Best Drama category for the prestigious Golden Globes.
"Now I am tempted to sound like Prem again. The movie is very Obama-like. Just like him, it crept up from nowhere and is creating such a sensational stir. And more importantly, it has struck box office gold.
And did you know, A. R. Rahman (Slumdog's music composer) won a Golden Globe nomination?," asks Kapoor in a dramatic showman style. Even the tiny gold hoops he wears on both ears glint as he speaks with a great amount of reflected pride.
Our turn
"Many years back, when I used to visit the US and see the trailers of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon being displayed outside the theatres there, I used to wonder: Yaar, hamara turn kab aayega? (Man, when will our turn come?). And now, I can't believe that an Indian film, which had a strong Indian crew backing, is showing at theatres," he says.
So, has all the adulation from the West translated into being taken more seriously in Bollywood?
"Come to think of it, Bollywood had begun to take me for granted just a bit. Their reaction when I perform well in a movie is, 'Of course, it's Anil — he always does.' But the best part is Bollywood has in turn tolerated me for so many years," he adds.
Kapoor, who made his debut in 1979, has managed to hold his ground for nearly three decades by experimenting with various roles and genres.
Movies such as Mr India (1987), one of Bollywood's most successful sci-fi films, the violent drama Parinda (1989) and the tear-jerker Pukaar (2000), have propelled Kapoor to great Bollywood heights.
Good roles
"I have been very fortunate. I am one of the few actors who have consistently been offered good roles. In fact, for the last three or four years, I have managed to deliver mega blockbusters — mind you, not just box office hits, but big blockbusters every year!" he adds, making eye-contact (finally) for emphasis.
Modesty is not the only trait banished for the day. A good dose of naughtiness is also served up. "And I am even more fortunate that I still get to romance girls who are half my age or old enough to be my kids," he says conspiratorially.
"To be honest, tell me who doesn't like beauty. I love working with all those young beautiful girls."
But there is one person who is not as gung-ho about working with Kapoor, and that is his daughter Sonam Kapoor. The 23-year-old prefers to keep their relationship strictly personal. "She finds me annoying," he explains.
Prod him a little more and he adds, "Annoying, at least professionally. Maybe she feels a bit scared, I don't know. And it's one thing to be proud of your dad and another thing to work alongside him, you know."
But daughter or no daughter, Kapoor is determined to make the most of the moment.
"Let us not talk about the Oscar buzz. The present is to be celebrated. I can't wait to watch Slumdog Millionaire once again."
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