Longevity and variety are the bywords of star-actor Anil Kapoor's Bollywood career. In his 24th year as a screen actor, he is ready with a troika of films, each completely different from the other two. My Wife's Murder is a psychological drama from The Ram Gopal Varma factory, Chocolate a stylized thriller set in London and No Entry an out-and-out comic romp produced by Boney Kapoor. As another exciting phase of the long-running Anil Kapoor saga is set to roll, the actor talks about the secret of his success.
Three completely different films of yours are about to hit the theatres. Is that part of a conscious tactic?
It's just a coincidence that the three films and the characters I play in them have absolutely nothing in common. It's not a conscious move. But, yes, it probably is a reflection of the fact that I have always believed attempting the unusual within the mainstream Bollywood movie format.
What is your take on the role that you play in My Wife's Murder, an ordinary man who ends up killing his wife unintentionally?
It's the best role of my career. I say this knowing that I have done many unusual roles in my time. Unconventional roles come to me because I have track record of accepting such challenges. When somebody writes a character that has atypical shades, he instantly says, 'Anil Kapoor will do this'.
You have indeed often played characters rather than conventional Bollywood movie heroes. Films like Eeshwar,Lamhe, 1942 - A Love Story and Viraasat, among many others, come to mind. Is My Wife's Murder an extension of that strategy?
Ram Gopal Varma (the producer of My Wife's Murder) tells me that I should be playing more roles of the hero in the Tezaab and Ram Lakhan mould. But I relate much better to rounded and believable characters. I am not particularly happy when I have to play cardboard cutouts.
You have indeed often played characters rather than conventional Bollywood movie heroes. Films like Eeshwar,Lamhe, 1942 - A Love Story and Viraasat, among many others, come to mind. Is My Wife's Murder an extension of that strategy?
Ram Gopal Varma (the producer of My Wife's Murder) tells me that I should be playing more roles of the hero in the Tezaab and Ram Lakhan mould. But I relate much better to rounded and believable characters. I am not particularly happy when I have to play cardboard cutouts.
Is that why you opted to do a film as unconventional as My Wife's Murder?
Well, I loved the script of the film. I read it at one go. I do not usually do that. I showed the script to some other people. They too couldn't put it down once they started reading it. It holds your interest all the way through. Because Ram Gopal Varma hasn't directed it himself, I was a bit wary of doing My Wife's Murder. But (first-time) director Jijy Philip was so good with the narration that I felt if he could capture even 40 per cent of the quality of his writing, My Wife's Murder would be a great film.
You have also done your share of mushy family dramas?
Yes, that's true. I've done films like Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai and Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain.
Would you be open to another film in that genre if it came your way?
I think that trend is dead.
On the sets, do you ever contribute to a film in terms of creative ideas?
I do but the ideas aren't always accepted. What I do contribute far more successfully is enthusiasm. I make every member of the unit feel and believe that the film they are working on is the best film of their lives. People like Yash Chopra and Subhash Ghai have told me that I have that kind of effect on the unit. That is the only way I can work.
You are one of the producers of My Wife's Murder. Did that change the level of your involvement in the creative process?
As a producer my job was to ensure that the film did not go overbudget, was completed on time and that everybody's needs were taken care of. That is all I was looking to do.
You started your career with a film by M.S. Sathyu, Kahaan Kahaan Se Guzar Gaya, made in 1981. Why didn't you ever return to that kind of cinema?
It's not a question of that kind of cinema or this. I would have done non-mainstream if only I had been given interesting characters. Sathyu did offer me another film. Shyam Benegal too approached me once. But I did not like the characters they had in mind for me. Why should I do a role that does not excite me?
What really is the secret of your amazing staying power?
I think it has got something to do with the fact that I have always tried to reinvent myself as an actor. I sought to evolve constantly as an actor. I have resisted stagnation by attempting a variety of roles through my career. I have always worked on looking right for a role, and not just on looking good. I have changed my looks for the screen on a number of occasions. People have often warned me against doing this. Things have changed today. Many contemporary actors do exactly what I used to do years ago - change their hairstyles, grow moustaches and dare to alter their screen image. I feel like a pioneer.