Film & Cinema | Movie Features
Runaway love
tabloid! caught up with Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka chopra ahead of the release of their new film Anjaana Anjaani
- By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Senior Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 September 28, 2010
- Image Credit: Supplied
- Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra
Bollywood blue-blood Ranbir Kapoor has every reason to be arrogant. In just two years, he has delivered more than three blockbusters, romanced a string of dazzling women on-screen and has even been compared to Amitabh Bachchan by his colleagues. But Kapoor, 28, is disarmingly guileless.
When tabloid! caught up with him for a late-night telephone chat while he was filming in Prague, he was adamant about apologising for almost everything — from the time difference to being compared to Big B.
"I am really sorry about keeping you up late. But in between shooting for my next film Rockstar and doing interviews for my current [film] Anjaaana Anjaani, this was the only time when I can actually catch a breath. Really sorry, it must be so late for you," says Kapoor. Not used to such painfully proper behaviour, especially after mingling with the likes of Katrina Kaif and Saif Ali Khan, we ask him the secret behind this humility.
"Well, success is not something that is shocking to me because I have grown up in a film family — my parents, grandparents have all been in showbiz. And I have grown up with all kinds of luxuries, so I never let success get to me or shock me. Remember that my first film Saawariya was a big disaster and I didn't take that too seriously," says Kapoor, who belongs to the illustrious Kapoor clan, an acting dynasty known as Bollywood's first family.
Even if he is determined to keep his head screwed firmly on, he has met with meteoric success in Bollywood — barring, of course, his debut film Saawariya. As we speak, A-list directors are queuing up to meet Kapoor and discuss their scripts.
The buzz
Even his latest romantic comedy with Priyanka Chopra, Anjaana Anjaani — despite a corny tagline: "the greatest love story happens between two strangers" — is creating a buzz in Bollywood trade circles. The tagline may fill many Bollywood buffs with that nostalgic been-there-seen-that feeling (Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge, Dil To Paagal Hai, Dil Hai Ki Maanta Nahin — just to name a few). But the Wake Up Sid star, 28, is intent on converting the cynics among us.
"Yaar [friend], it's not that corny. I know relationships shown in Hindi films are very different from real life. But you know what, I really think every love story begins between two strangers and the best part is when they learn to discover new things about one another. But yeah, romance in real life is not as much fun. It's a different ballgame altogether — much tougher," says Kapoor, sounding wiser than his years.
As far as turbulent relationships go, Kapoor has seen a few of them. Apart from being linked to his co-stars Sonam Kapoor (Saawariya) and Katrina Kaif (Raajneeti), his high-profile relationship with Deepika Padukone went bust last year.
"I have always been very open and honest about my relationship. For the record, right now I am not with anybody and I am single."
But if your heart just skipped a beat, hold your horses. His next few words are a dampener.
"All these tags of being this eligible bachelor in Bollywood don't make much sense to me. It's not as if I have girls holding a swayamvar for me or anything." For the uninitiated, swayamvar is an ancient groom-choosing ritual where eligible bachelors line up to woo brides.
Kapoor is far from alone in his musings. His leading lady Chopra says the tagline is what attracted her to the script.
"There's nothing more exciting than the beginning of a relationship. Imagine the chemistry, the fun and frolic because you never know where the relationship is heading. And Anjaana Anjaani has captured this beautifully. But it's the ironic twist in the film that I love," says Chopra.
Twist in the tale
The twist to the tale comes at the start of the film, with the two strangers meeting on Brooklyn Bridge — just as they are both about to commit suicide. As far as relationships beginnings go, the premise is grim.
"Anjaana Anjaani starts off on an unlikely, unexpected note but at the end of the day it's a simple story told simply. To make this simple story convincing was the toughest part," says Chopra. But the award-winning actress, one of Bollywood's fastest rising stars, has little to worry about.
Validating their collective acting prowess was director Siddharth Anand who has dubbed the duo a "dream team". Anand, who has directed hit films including Bachna Ae Haseeno and Salaam Namaste, has even gone to the extent of labelling Kapoor as the next-best-Amitabh Bachchan. Kapoor himself finds the Big B distinction dubious.
"I honestly believe he [director Anand] was very drunk or he had simply lost his mind. It was uncalled for and I don't even wish to comment on it because it makes me feel stupid. I am not Amitabh Bachchan since I am just starting out and I have been here only two years in the industry. Mr Bachchan is Mr Bachchan.
"He has been around for more than 40 years. I think I will take at least 180 years to reach where he is," says six-films-old Kapoor.
Out of the six releases, four — Wake Up Sid, Bachna Ae Haseeno, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani and Raajneeti — struck box-office gold. But he is not resting easy.
"I want to work in as many good films as I can. Anjaana Anjaani fits that category because the film is all about appreciating life and not giving up on life. It tells you that you just need to pick yourself up if the going gets tough."
Quote unquote
tabloid! asked the duo to dish out their perfect moments while shooting for the romantic comedy in the US.
- Chopra: "Our road trip from the East Coast to the West Coast in the amazing vintage Ford Falcon. She is called Blush and she was a beauty. I hope she pays me a visit soon."
- Kapoor: "Including the ‘all iz well' line from the hit 3 Idiots was a last minute improvisation. When we were shooting the film, 3 Idiots had just released. I loved the film and I thought that this line can really bring some laughter into the scene."
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