INTERVIEW BY SC
The veteran (dare we say that!) actor always manages to raise the bar – whether it is Animal or The Night Manager or Thank You For Coming. His energy is infectious and his journey is inspiring. A chitchat with actor Anil Kapoor who has recently played the character of Rocky in Siddharth Anand’s Fighter.
The veteran (dare we say that!) actor always manages to raise the bar – whether it is Animal or The Night Manager or Thank You For Coming. His energy is infectious and his journey is inspiring. A chitchat with actor Anil Kapoor who has recently played the character of Rocky in Siddharth Anand’s Fighter.
You play a Fighter in the film. Do you know anyone who is a fighter in real life?
I have always been a fighter. I got married and had to fight (smiles)! Then I had children and once again I turned a fighter! Then I became a grandfather and became a fighter again. I am still working. I fought my way up when Siddharth narrated the story and then I had to fight to become a 42 year old and then to become a 45 year old character. So I am a fighter every day.
What was the fighter moment in your career?
After spending 45 years in this business, I have to continue to be relevant. Every year I have to work harder and that’s the reason I have been constantly fighting.
When you look back at your journey – what do you find fascinating?
When I wanted to work I started with small roles. Initially I didn’t get work here in Hindi films. So I started with Telugu and Kannada films where I got work. Gradually I worked in Hindi films. I was always called by the names of my characters by fans. I wanted to be an actor and became a star because of the characters and roles. I got to work with Dilip Kumar and Naseeruddin Shah and Padmini Kolhapure in Woh 7 Din. If they had not worked with me I would not be known. I did Mashaal after that. You don’t plan to become a star. You become a star because of blessings. There are so many talented and hard working people who are intelligent. It’s the blessing of these people who made me a star. Even with Animal people call me by my character Balbir Singh. I am popular because of my roles. I am blessed and fortunate that I became an actor and a star.
How was working with Hrithick Roshan and Deepika Padukone in Fighter?
Both of them are extremely talented and generous. The amount of effort they have put in the film is simply marvellous. Fighter is not an easy film to work in. We had no time in between shoots. But even in our limited time we got to know each other and had a lovely creative time.
