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Passengers get tired – all that packing, the last minute hustle and bustle
– did you get your toothbrush? Did you buy enough diapers for the kids to last
them the month abroad? Where did you put the passports? Restless faces miserably
loomed from corner to corner of the airport. It seemed nothing could change this
state of monotony.
Anil Kapoor & Shahid Malik
The man himself walked casually through the terminal towards the check-in
desk. His humble manner kept the mobs away.
“ Anil bhai?” called Shahid from the side. Mr Kapoor turned with the
sweetest smile and acknowledged the call. This was the point when the attention
gathered.
In frenzied delight, family members whispered to their relatives that the
legendary Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor was close by. Like a game of Chinese
whispers, the word got round, and chuffed passengers suddenly arose from the
dead, smiles lit up their faces and they approached the actor for a handshake, a
hug and a photo.
I stood watching the excitement, occasionally gazing down at my watch – but
it wasn’t me who had to catch a flight. This is when it first struck me how
compassionate this star really was. Anil took his time with each and every fan,
and the pleasure with which he met them was unmistakably genuine.
Meanwhile, I got talking with Anil’s stunningly beautiful wife, and his
best friend, Sunita. Admittedly, her kind nature shone through from the very
second we began speaking. The happy couple, having been through 21 years of
marriage, seemed an inseparable entity – they truly seemed to operate
together.
Anil Kapoor & Umaima Malik discussing movies
Having met his fans (although indeed I am a big one too), we sat down for
some coffee – well Mr Kapoor ordered hot chocolate (“aw, how sweet” I hear the
girls cry). Sweet indeed.
AOL: Becoming an actor – was it a childhood dream for you?
AK: I guess I’d always planned to become an actor. When I was seven, I
played the young Shashi Kapoor in a film called Tu Payal Mein Geet, and although
it was never released I knew for sure that acting was what I wanted to do. It
has always been a part of me.
AOL: What would you see yourself doing today had you not gone into
acting?
AK: I would have managed, would have survived somehow. It would definitely
have been cinema-related though; I couldn’t imagine myself in any other
field.
AOL: Who did you admire most in the movie industry as a child?
AK: My favourites – they would have to be Dilip Kumar and Raj
Kapoor.
Shayan Malik ,Umaima Malik ,Shahidji & Anilji
AOL: Out of all of the movies you have released to this day, if you had to
pick one as your absolute favourite – what would it be?
AK: Ah…(Anil sits up straight, chin resting on his hand, eyes focused on
some sort of invisible point in front of him. He comes out of his philosophical
position, shaking his head)… I couldn’t choose one. I’ve enjoyed every minute
that I’ve put into my work, so I love all of my movies equally. I’ve been
fortunate enough to have my share of good movies so I think the real choice –
the most honest one – could only be made by the audiences; this is a decision
left entirely up to the fans.
AOL: Fair play! In that case, what would you say is your favourite
International movie?
AK: There would be a few… Finding Neverland has got to be one of the top
movies I’ve seen. I enjoyed it very much; each aspect was just great. Then there
are other noteworthy ones like Phantom of the Opera – I’ve seen all of the Harry
Potter movies too – that’s good stuff.
AOL: If you could have taken part in any film that you weren’t actually
involved in – what would it be and whose role would you play?
AK: Again, Finding Neverland – I’m a big fan of that movie – I’d have loved
to play Johnny Depp’s role. Tom Hanks in Castaway – that was a good one too. Any
of the Godfather series… Forest Gump – I did something similar in my movie
Eeshwar.
AOL: Your film, Bewafaa, has quite a big star-cast. What was it like
working with so many people?
Sunita Kapoor ,Umaima Malik and Anil Kapoor
AK: Ah, wonderful. I was working with some people like Manoj Bajpai, Akshay
Kumar and Kareena Kapoor for the first time – it really was great fun. Dharmesh
Darshan was directing so he was the captain of the ship – everything went
smoothly. The soundtrack to Bewafaa is something I love in particular – the
music is just excellent…(Anil gives me a sample and begins singing quietly in a
beautifully toned voice – hidden talent spotted!)… mera dil jis dil peh fidaa
hai, mera dil jis dil peh fidaa hai.. ek bewafaa hai..
AOL: (Blushing) Wow… so what can we be expecting from you in the next year
– any new ventures?
AK: There are a couple of movies that will be showing in this year 2005 –
there’s a film called No Entry. There’s one called My Wife’s Murder
(The dazzling wife Sunita raises her eyebrows), and another one that we’re
filming for right now in London – Chocolate.
AOL: Hmm the titles are definitely interesting! What about your movie
Musafir – now that was quite different from the usual Bollywood family movie –
how was this as an experience for yourself?
AK: It was a great experience you know, I really enjoyed being part of
Musafir – and it was fantastic for myself as the role I was playing was a
terrific one. I’m sure that reflects on screen as well.
AOL: You’ve debuted as a producer before – but are there any chances that
we might see you directing in the future?
AK: (Smiles) No, not yet at least. I can’t say anything for the future, but
as it stands right now I have no plans as such.
Anil Kapoor contemplating ………..
AOL: The fans on AsianOutlook.com are particularly fond of your movies
Lamhe, Laadla and Mr.India – tell me, are there any chances of seeing you and
Sri Devi back on the silver screen together?
AK: Ah, again, I honestly can’t say. You really never know.
AOL: Is there a particular artist or director that you haven’t yet worked
with but would like to work with in the future?
AK: Hmm… Fortunately, most of the people that I would have wanted to work
with I have managed to work with already. Ah, but there is one – Sanjay Leela
Bhansali – I would love to do a movie with him.
AOL: He’s a great director. Do you have any hidden talents that you’d like
to share with us?
AK: I can sing! I actually used to train, so I can sing semi-classical
songs. I enjoy it a lot so I do my part in giving the public a sample when we do
live shows – I love to sing on stage.
AOL: Finally, hypothetically speaking – you’re stuck on a desert island and
you’re allowed to have two personal possessions with you – what would they
be?
AK: (No hesitation) My wife and my kids.
AOL: You couldn’t have put it better! Do you have any messages that you’d
like to give out to your fans?
AK: I’d like to thank them for being so nice and loyal to me for so many
years. I will always be grateful. The only reward that I can give them is by
acting in as many good films as possible and providing entertainment for them.
They have done more for me than I could ever have possibly imagined.
What a man, it has to be said. Anil’s true colours are clear and
unquestionable: a wonderfully down-to-earth gentleman, a real family man, and a
‘workaholic’, dedicated to giving his fans the very best.
Interview By Umaima Malik Photographs by Shayan Malik
07 Jan 2005
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