Ranbir Kapoor on what it took to play Bollywood’s bad boy, a hero of his childhood, and a living character you could not take liberties with.
Ranbir Kapoor was only 10 years old when he saw his first reel icon, Sanjay Dutt, in real life. Accompanying his father, Rishi Kapoor, to the shoot of Sahibaan in Kashmir in 1992, the young Kapoor was mesmerised by the sight of the actor whose poster he had on his cupboard to rival that of his sister’s favourite, Salman Khan. “He had the Saajan look,” recalls Kapoor, “long hair, an earring. He was chilling between shots, smoking a cigarette and walking with style.” The young Ranbir thought Dutt was “super cool”, way cooler than his own dad.
With such a fond memory, one would think that Kapoor would be eager to play his idol on the big screen. Instead, he admits, there was reluctance and self-doubt. “The responsibility to play a person who is still relevant was very daunting,” says Kapoor, 35, who will later feature alongside Dutt in the period action Shamshera which begins shooting in December. “If it’s a dead or historical character, a few liberties can be taken.” The Rajkumar Hirani-Abhijat Joshi script was a selling point, presenting a leading man with vices, weaknesses and self-inflicted adversities. “His life was a screenplay sent from heaven,” says Kapoor. “I don’t think I could be that honest to a filmmaker. It takes a lot of confidence to show that you have made mistakes.”
CHANNELLING SANJAY
This story is from the July 02, 2018 edition of India Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 02, 2018 edition of India Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
BJP's Big Paschim Test
On paper, the BJP-RLD tie-up is a winner for the NDA in west UP, though the INDIA bloc thinks otherwise. The BSP's entry with mixed candidates can unsettle both alliances
Why Gen V Matters
The Way The 210 Million-Strong Generation Viksit Bharat Casts Its Vote Will Determine The Outcome Of This Election As It Has In The Past
Heart Stopper
Cushions with tales of beauty, serenity, art and nature
THE NIPPON NARRATIVE
Say konnichiwa to good design and sayōnara to bad aesthetics, as this apartment in Bangalore is a lesson in how to use Japanese design effectively
RURAL RESPLENDENCE
This second home in a small village in Uttar Pradesh brings to life the beauty and simplicity of locally sourced materials
Curves in the Right Places
Arches may be taking over interior design, but how and where you place them in your home can make or mar the look of the room
Marvels in Mud
Here's how this humble material is changing the way we look at eco-friendly homes in India
DESIGN FOR THE AGES
Five homes, five distinct design styles that help decode how to curate age-appropriate spaces
TAKE FIVE
FROM RUGS TO CUSHIONS, THESE DECOR PIECES WILL GIVE YOUR INTERIORS AN INSTANT MAKEOVER THIS SEASON
TRENDY TABLESCAPES
At the turn of the season, three fashion labels throw a soiree that is stylish, suave and sophisticated