Anil Kapoor enjoys 30-year run in showbiz

You will no doubt remember him as the quiz master Prem Kapur in Slumdog Millionaire, but in real life, actor Anil Kapoor is very different to the character he plays in the successful movie.

Stripped of the aggressive and boisterous persona that typified Prem, the long-enduring Bollywood star was calmness personified when tabloid! caught up with him.

"When you have survived for more than 30 years in an industry, your priorities change," says Kapoor in a phone interview with tabloid! "Right now, I am not fretting about the roles that are offered to me, or whether my films are blockbusters. You see, I have enough money, I have a decent home, I have a great family who are well taken care of and that's all that matters."

Kapoor, 51, who made his debut in 1979, as a lead actor in romantic drama Humare Tumhare, insists he's also one of the few actors in Bollywood who knows his limitations.

"When Slumdog [Millioniare] was offered to me, I did not insist that I wanted to play Dev Patel's role just because I was an established star in India. Believe me, any other leading star would have said; ‘Mujhe Dev's role karna hai!' [I want to do Dev's role]. But I had no such misconception about the roles I can carry off."

Attitude

His level-headed attitude and self-awareness about his abilities paid off. The role of Prem, which was initially rejected by Bollywood heavyweight Shah Rukh Khan, resulted in international recognition and opened doors for Kapoor in Hollywood.

On the international front, he was last seen in the eighth season of the explosive US drama 24, in which he played President Omar Hassan.

"I was glad that I wasn't playing the stereotypical bad guy in 24," he says, adding that the character of Hassan had similar values to his own.

"Hassan had my own set of convictions … that really helped. But just between us, I expected my role in 24 to shape up well because the director and the crew gave me instant feedback on my performance.

"If you ask me, it was the success of Slumdog Millionaire that was totally unexpected. I was taken aback."

Currently, he's busy scouting in the West for roles in full-length feature films or indie-flicks that differ to the stereotypical roles that usually come the way of Bollywood actors.

The right choice

"My agent and I think it's now time for a Hollywood film and, believe me, I get many offers but the key is to choose right. Once you have decided that you will not play the stereotypical role of a confused immigrant, it clears up a lot of things. As of now, I have not signed on any roles. I am still waiting."

But unlike the other Slumdog Millionaire star A. R. Rahman, who's been inundated with international music offers since his Oscar-win, Kapoor has no plans of renouncing Bollywood.

"There's no way I can ever reject Bollywood. We are talking about my roots and I don't ever intend to ever forget my roots. I am currently working on Race 2 and looking at many scripts, so there is no question of me ever quitting Bollywood."

Though he intends to straddle both the East and the West, this hasn't stopped him from keeping a fatherly eye on the career of his daughter, rising star Sonam Kapoor.

Together, they're searching for suitable roles for her Hollywood debut.

The Kapoor family is currently riding high on their home-production Aisha, the Bollywood spin-off of Jane Austen's Emma. While Kapoor and his daughter Rhea Kapoor have jointly produced the film, his other daughter Sonam plays the title role. Is this his way of creating a formidable acting dynasty like the Bachchans?

"I don't believe in this dynasty business and I don't think I am the torchbearer of my family.

"I have always told my daughters that material for an artist is [most important] and that nobody is indispensable. It's all about the best script and the best talent attached to it."

Rapid fire round

Kapoor, who has acted in over 100 Bollywood films gives us the lowdown on the current movie gossip

Rumour has it that Danny Boyle will produce one of your films soon?

Frankly, I was surprised when Danny, during one of the press meetings, announced it. It was wonderful but I was surprised about it. I haven't really followed it up seriously. It's just one of those things that was left hanging between us.

What is the secret behind your 30-year run?

The key is to re-invent [yourself]. I have never done the romantic leading hero roles. Look at Taal or Biwi No 1, I really think those roles helped me redefine my career. Also, [you should] move with the times.

What career advice do you give to your daughters?

Before Aisha released, I used to say to them: "Attach yourself to a film, then detach yourself.