“Love is strange” - Ranbir Kapoor

Most of his movies, be it Saawariya, Wake Up Sid or his Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani which releases tomorrow worldwide, hardly need the coverage as he's one of the few stars whose name all but guarantees a strong opening weekend: Ranbir Kapoor. He has got everything synonymous to the Pali Hill boys of Bandra and being one himself, he quotes, "Pali Hill boys rock". With his soulful dark eyes and his chiselled good looks, he cuts a very dashing image as he resumes the sexiness he possesses to charm the opposite sex in APKGK. Let's face it; Ranbir Kapoor's face is now being stapled over the walls of teenage girls across India. They are falling in love with him; some girls want to get married to him while the others want to share their joys and sorrows with him.

Some are looking for the exact qualities of Ranbir in her man while some think he is a part of their history lessons. Believe it or not, Ranbir Kapoor is a part of Indian culture now, and if that's an understatement, I don't know. We talk to the man of the month, the man behind the mask and the man of the year, Ranbir Kapoor about his journey from waking up to falling in love, his midas touch, his mature man image, his flirtatious days in school, his Pali Hill days, the talented Katrina Kaif, the change in Indian cinema which is just around the corner and his wish to see the Oscar selected Harishchandrachi Factory.

From waking up to falling in love. How's your journey going?
Well, it may sound spooky but I have shot for both the films simultaneously, Wake Up Sid and APKGK. Both have been extremely different from each other. Wake Up Sid did some really good stuff for me post its release and I hope that this good stuff continues.

Katrina is known for her midas touch she has been giving to all her films. Now with you on board, I'm sure it's going to be a golden affair
Wow! Thank you so much. But honestly, I don't believe in Midas touch, luck and all. We just work hard on films, that's all. We work hard because we are very passionate about cinema. We just need the appreciation flowing by the audiences.

In your growing up years, how much has comedy as a genre changed for you as a viewer?
As far as comedy genres are concerned, no film can beat Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro and Andaz Apna Apna. They are the baap of all comic films in India. But I don't think that APKGK is a rom-com. Actually, it's a com-rom. It's got more comedy and yes, there is an underlying love story in the film. Every thing done in APKGK is done in a comic way. The characters in the film are serious, and when they are in a serious problem, the audience will see them in a funny way. For them, it is serious but for it's viewers it is pure comedy.

What about Raj Kumar Santoshi? After making Andaz Apna Apna, does he still have the same funny bone?
Raj Kumar Santoshi has really excelled in every genre. He has tried a movie with every subject. I was enthusiastic to work with Tips and Raj Kumar Santoshi because I loved the story of the film. I was laughing my a** off when I was hearing it. It's strange but what I heard in the narration was exactly what was projected on the screen. Sometimes movies don't turn out exactly the way you hear them. But Raj-ji has done just that. He stuck to his narration, scenes just followed.

Your father quotes, 'Ranbir is mature now'. Are you?
Honestly, my father is not very kind with the words he says and he is really a miser with voice in trying to appreciate something and he was proud of me post Wake Up Sid too. That feels good because he is my biggest critic. He has always called a spade a spade. If he appreciates something that I've done, it truly feels special. He hasn't seen the final cut of APKGK but I am dying to look forward to his criticism or his praise in it.

Like your earlier film, is APKGK targeted to the youth again?
Not really. This film is targeted to the family audience. It's not a crude comedy and it's not a comedy which only the youngsters will enjoy or only parents will enjoy. You'll get the exact same reaction from the grandparents all the way down to their kids. We've made a film that caters to a larger audience than a film like Wake Up Sid.

Pali Hill boys are the biggest flirts in Mumbai. That's what they say. How 'ajab' was your way of impressing the chics back then?
Well, my infatuation started way back in junior school. I was always having crushes on teachers and my mothers' young friends who used to wear short clothes. I realised women very early in my life. I don't know if I'm a flirt, I don't know if I'm charming enough or I don't know if I'm really shy when it comes to women. But I'm not so bad when it comes to appreciating beauty and having crushes on women. Pali Hill boys rock!

How do you define a strange love?
If it is to do with the film, I'd call it an ajab angle. Love is strange because it makes you do strange things.

Do you think Katrina is cast in films because of her beauty and charm or is she really talented?
I think Katrina is cast in her films only for the kind of talent she is, the kind of hard work she brings in to her films, the kind of positivity she brings in too is infectious. Today APKGK is hot because it has a lot to do with Katrina Kaif. She has a huge fan following. She didn't know a word of Hindi language and today she is one of the biggest film stars of our country. That is commendable and we shouldn't belittle her by saying that she only gets work because of her looks.

What have you learnt by being a son to Darshan Jariwala?
That he is a good father (laughs). You get to learn everyday working with talented people like Darshan Jariwala. We youngsters learn the kind of dedication they have, the kind of craft they possess, the kind of passion they have and the kind of actors they are. They aren't greedy, they'll do their job and they are patient. I hope I at least have half of their talent when I reach their age.

Every generation makes way to another. The genres being made now and the films that are being thought upon are somehow liked more by the today's generation. Is change around the corner?
I really do believe in the kind of change we can bring to Indian cinema. All we can do is bring good stories, be a part of good films, etc. APKGK isn't just targeting the youth, as I said earlier. Everybody can see it. But as long as you make a film with heart and with a lot of conviction, it'll work. The only thing is that your story has to be honest. We do not want to restrict ourselves to target a certain mass or class of people in the films we make because films is an expensive medium in which you have to recover costs. I don't think the youth can fill the theatres for a long period of time. Yes, they do bring in the power and the excitement and the fan following.

Have you seen the Oscar selected movie from India - Harishchandrachi Factory?
No, I haven't but I am dying to see it. I really have no time right now as I'm shooting. But I would love to see it as soon as possible. I have been hearing a lot about the film and that it deserves an Oscar. My best wishes to Harishchandrachi Factory.