Anil Kapoor: THE GREAT ENTERTAINER

By Fuad Omar.

Anil Kapoor is probably one of Indian cinema’s greatest treasures. He came on the scene on his own terms and has earned every accolade given to him through hard work and talent. In his early days he was determined not to cut off his moustache stating he could be accepted as he was and he was right. He is easily one of those who has contributed to Indian cinema in a legendary manner because as any film fan will inform you, his films are bound to count in everyone’s all time favourites. I grew up weaning myself on the Anil-Madhuri films that were Tezaab, Jeevan Ek Sangharsh and Kishen Kanhaiya, followed his success through the award winning and amazing performance in Beta as a man who dotes on his mother to the extent he cannot see any flaw in her up until a film like 1942 which is a landmark film by all standards even today. Anil Kapoor has got his livelihood from Indian cinema, but he sure has given back as much if not more than he’s been given. 

Anil is coming to the UK for the Zee Mela Mela and is keen to meet those who have supported him throughout the years, the new fans who find him a continuous breath of fresh talent in all the roles he assays in a place that had fast become an industry of cool and to say a big hearty Hi to the British public. The man who made us dance as Lakhan and captivates me every year when I annually and religiously watch Lamhe over and over again is coming to town. 

Speaking from his hotel room while on location in Mauritius Anil Kapoor is as he is whenever people meet him: warm, full of enthusiasm and keen to make the best of whatever life gives him. Excerpts from our conversation:

From Hamare Tumhare to M S Sathyu's Kahan Kahan Se Guzar Gaye to Woh 7 Din, Eeshwar, Lamhe and films like Parinda and Nayak, it's been a very long journey and one where you've very much made it on your own terms fuelled by sheer dedication, hard work and talent. How do you look back on the last twenty years and all that you've achieved?

I don’t look back, I only look forward. But thanks for reminding me of those great films and the work that I’ve done. They are there and I’ve been very fortunate with the films I’ve had and done, but I try not to look back but look forward to what’s to come. I’m looking forward to films such as Rishtey which will be my next release and the film I’m shooting for right now called Armaan.

Wo waqt jo eighties ka tha nahin raha, na wo ideals rahein, na wo log rahein. How do you feel the industry has changed progressively through the late 70s, 80s, 90s and now in the millennium in terms of:
A) Filmmaking Functionality
B) The roles on offer to an actor and the scope to perform
C) The pressures and rewards of acting and filmmaking as a livelihood.

I feel that a new era of filmmaking has begun and now Indian cinema has come of age. The filmmakers are making films that are of a better quality and standard such that they can be compared with films of an international standard and from any part of the world. There’s a very big step forward for the Hindi film industry and the technicians and actors and that we’re in an international league now. I am a very optimistic person and I see a great future for all the people in Hindi films and to be honest with you, as a livelihood I feel there’s no business like this business because showbusiness is something you love doing and is especially for a person who enjoys creative work and being paid for it, so it’s very rewarding to have a livelihood that is a passion.

God’s been very kind to me, I’ve had some great films in my career that people still talk about and enjoy today and do remember them, so it makes me feel good.

And of course no one else has sustained the position they had during that period except you, you’ve outdone those you started out with.
Hahaha, I’ve never thought about it like that but there are a few other actors also who have been around for a longer time like Dilip Kumar and Mr Bachchan so in comparison to them I still have a long way to go.

At the age of eleven you used to travel to Roop Tara Studios to perform as a junior Shashi Kapoor in Tu Paayal Mein Geet, do studios still have the same magic when you walk into them today and to what extent do you still share the ambition, awe and wondrousness of that eleven year old boy?

Yes you’re right, I remember those days very well they’re very special memories. Studios still have the same magic, places like R.K. Studios, Mehboobs Studios and Filmistan Studios make you feel nostalgic and remind you of the magic of Hindi cinema when you enter those huge stages and make up rooms, they bring back memories of Raj Kapoor and Mehboob Khan and all the others. It makes you feel great walking down those halls.

You once cited Mr Bachchan and Naseerji as your idols in cinema. Now you’ve reached a position where you’re on the same shoulder length as them in stature and assurity of a flawless performance. Do you ever stop and smile to yourself, saying I’ve made it.

Thank you very much for making me feel like that but I feel honestly I have a long way to go to be associated with their league. I remember going to watch Amitji’s shooting and I had just started my career and today I’m doing a film with him, we’re facing the camera together for Armaan. And with Naseer I did Who 7 Din and another film Rajkumar and he’s a great actor of Indian cinema and I’m thrilled he’s now doing this film with Sean Connery, it’s a huge film and I’m looking forward to it.

You're coming down to take part in the Zee's Mela Mela which will attract Asians from all over the country and be this year's premiere cultural event. Given your presence will have fans flocking to see you, how much are you anticipating the event?

I’m looking forward to it because I’m coming after such a long time, so I’ll be there in Birmingham and am eager to meet people.

Are you planning to do a Q & A or perform and the mela, what's on the agenda for your appearance?

I’ll do whatever makes people happy, whatever they want. My motive is to make my fans and well wishers happy and give them something back. God has been very kind to me and I’m very grateful.

What are your forthcoming releases and when are they scheduled to hit the big screen?

Well I have a film called Rishtey which is directed by Indra Kumar, I’m working with him after ten years because a decade ago I did a film with him, Beta which was a stupendous hit. After that we never really got the opportunity to work together so I’m looking forward to this film in which I play a street fighter. It’s a very dramatic and emotional film and I’m playing this kind of character for the first time.

Will you be sampling food at the mela's cuisine spots and if so what are you hoping will be on the menu?

Haha, I don’t know, anything at all, I’m just looking forward to tasting the food!

How important are events like these as opportunities for you to interact with your international audience?

It’s a great opportunity to interact personally with them and gives me the chance to converse live with them and speaking to them I come to know what I should do and not do because they provide genuine and direct feedback about my films and myself and that inspires me for my future. I want to take this opportunity to learn from them and thank them.