INTERVIEW! Ranbir Kapoor On Biopics, His Absence From Social Media, Box Office, And Stardom

Q. There are rumours about you doing Sourav Ganguly's biopic. How true is it?

A. Dada (Sourav Ganguly) is such a big personality that people love him not only in India but all over the world. But biopic films are tricky. When you are making a film, special care has to be taken on how you are capturing his entire life from his birth till now. His achievements, his personal life, his struggles, conflicts, everything. However, if I am approached for a biopic, I will obviously consider it.

Q. There were also some talks about Kishore Kumar's biopic.

A. We have been talking about Kishore Kumar's biopic for 11 years, but nothing is final yet. Still working on that. There are rumors that I have been cast, so let me tell you that nothing like this has happened officially.

Q. Coming on Tu Jhooti Main Makkaar, how you got approached for this film?

A. Years back, I saw Luv Ranjan's Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2 on a flight and I messaged him. Before this, I had never messaged any director that I want to work with you. I found Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2 very interesting, its tone, its world. That's why I felt we should work together. Then a few weeks later we met again and discussed a few scripts and ideas. We had locked a script as well, in which Ajay sir (Ajay Devgn) was also in it, but then due to dates, that film didn't take off. During that time Luv told me about Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar. To be honest, at that time I was thinking of taking retirement from the rom-com genre. I think rom-com is a very dangerous genre because it's dying out worldwide. Also, when we used to make rom-coms in India, we used to get influenced a lot by western culture. Whereas for me the perfect romantic comedy is one which is related to your culture. And according to me, Luv Ranjan takes care of that. I remember when I signed the film with Luv, my father (Rishi Kapoor) was very happy that I was going to do a film with Luv. Then when my father came to know that this film is not a love story but an action film with Ajay sir, he called and scolded me. He said, I am happy that you are doing a film with Luv Ranjan, he makes good films. But why do you want to make a film of a different genre with a director who specializes in romantic films? Make that film with him, in which he is an expert. Later when he came to know about 'Tu Jhoothi', he was very happy.

Q. You are considered as an effortless actor. Many of your co-stars have also said this. What would you like to say about your process?

A. I think I give a lot of effort to look effortless. I don't think acting is an easy job. Every film comes with a new challenge. You would think that it would be easy if it is a rom-com film, but it is not like that. Such films are very difficult. Especially Luv Ranjan has a tone of his own in which he writes the script. Generally, we don't see that tone in Hindi films. Well, yes I work very hard on my films, on my scenes, on my songs. Of all the films that I have done in my career to date, some have been big hits, and some haven't worked, but the kind of love I got for Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani has been amazing. This kind of love we only get from rom-coms. Audiences connect with you more. But yes, I would still say it is the most difficult genre.

Q. In the journey of 15 years, how satisfied or happy are you with the kind of films you have done or the risks you have taken?

A. Don't know about being satisfied, but yes, I am happy that all the 18-19 films that I have done in the last 15 years have been my choices. That's why if I get success, it is because of me, and if I come across failure, it is also because of me. I have never worked under any pressure, or ever thought that this is a big director's film, this is a big production house. I have learned a lot from my failures and never let success go to my head. My approach to my career so far has been very balanced. Well, I have a long way to go. But I am very happy that I am able to work with people who inspire me. As for Luv Ranjan, I feel I share a great creative energy with him. When we sit, we talk about films, we talk about our dreams, and we even make predictions of upcoming films every year, who will do what kind of business. Then after the end of the year, we tally how many predictions came out right and who won.

Q. Do you get affected by the box office of your or any other films?

A. Yes, I get a little influenced by the box office. I don't think I am that actor who gives big openings just on my own. For my films, content matters a lot. Out of my 18-19 films, some have given stupendous openings while some have taken off slowly. There are many factors here. I don't live under the illusion that if you sign me, your film will get a bumper opening. No, the content of your film should be good, and the songs should be good. If all that is good, then people will come to see me too.

Q. A lot is being discussed about your chemistry with Shraddha Kapoor.

A. I was very excited to work with Shraddha. I have always been a fan of her work. Actually, I have known her since childhood. I remember when her dad was shooting in Kashmir and Ooty, Shraddha, me, my sister and Shraddha's brother used to play a lot in the hotel. We were all filmy kids, so we used to dance a lot on Hindi film songs. Also, I think we both have very similar creative energy. She is very disciplined, very hard-working, and a wonderful co-star. It is not that she is over-friendly on the sets. Also, I think Shraddha is perfect for the kind of film it is because she understands the tone. I am very happy that Luv chose her for this film.

Q. Your last action film Shamshera didn't do well at the box office. Are you worried about Animal?

A. I don't think whether a film is a hit or a flop will make any difference in my choice of films. When you get approached for a film and you say yes, there are many reasons behind it. I am very proud of the hard work I put in for Shamshera, the film may not have turned out well but I know I worked really hard for it when we were shooting for those 130 days. It was not an easy shoot. I always believe that God recognizes hard work. You just focus on your work. Films will work, will never work, but as an actor, you keep giving your best.

Q. Audiences have given you so much love in the rom-com genre. Then why do you want to distance yourself from it?

A. Yes people have accepted me in the rom-com genre. But that too is a trap. If you keep doing the same, then the audience will also get bored and you will not have anything new to show them. Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar came to me at the right time. I had retired from rom-coms, and I was not doing films of this genre because I had heard many scripts but nothing was working out. Nothing fun was happening.

Q. Since you are not on social media, it is also said that you are not over-exposed in public and this is one of the reasons for the star aura around you. Do you believe so?

A. Well, I believe so. It has always been my endeavor not to be on social media as I wanted my life to remain a mystery. I am a bit old school. Also, I come from a film family, so I have seen why mystery is important. Well, that was my thought of course, because, in today's time, you also lose a lot because of this. I know that I lose a lot of endorsements and a lot of opportunities to earn money, but I think my decision will work for my betterment. My career will have longevity and when people come and watch my films, they can relate to my character, they will have a sense of disbelief. This was my thought process, but I don't know if I am successful with it.

Q. What is your definition of stardom?

A. I have two stories to define stardom. I will talk about this one experience of mine with Lata Mangeshkar. I was having a late dinner at the Marriott Coffee Shop. I was not an actor then. There were many people sitting there and I remember everyone saw Lata ji getting down from the lift and walking from one side of the hall to the other. It was such a moment that everyone sitting in that coffee shop just stood up. No one bothered Lata ji, did not say anything, just out of respect they started standing. She just did Namaste and went to the other side. That's stardom for me. She commands it, she doesn't demand it. And I remember another story that I heard about my grandfather Raj Kapoor. When he went to Russia for the premiere of one of his movies. He came out of the theater and there were thousands of Russians waiting for him. He waved to the people and got into his car. But the crowd present there picked up his car and they carried him on their shoulders and walked towards the hotel. I don't know if that kind of stardom still exists.

Q. There was a lot of discussion about the biopic of Raj Kapoor too. Any update on that?

A. Doing his biopic will also be a bit difficult as his life has also been a bit controversial. Here we have to keep his story completely honest, we cannot make it a propaganda film. I have a great desire to make his biopic but I am not a good writer, so that is the reason I am struggling at the moment. I am sure if his biopic is made, it would be great.

Q. Do you take advice from Alia Bhatt regarding the choice of films?

A. Absolutely, I take Alia's advice. Let me tell you, she is a trade pundit. She enjoys this process. And when it comes to taking advice, any kind of feedback is very valuable to me when you are with such a wonderful artist like Alia. She is also my cheerleader, but she always gives me honest advice.

Q. Nowadays there is a lot of talk about the box office of films. As an actor, how responsible do you feel?

A. Yes, I think it is the responsibility of all of us. After COVID, the industry is also going through a correction phase. Everyone is thinking about it and working very hard to bring the audience back to the theatres. Last year we saw some very good Hindi films like The Kashmir Files, Gangubai Kathiawadi, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Drishyam 2, and Brahmastra. At the same time, now Pathaan has performed brilliantly. So we are slowly making a comeback. Everyone's effort has always been to give such an experience to the audience that they come to the theatre. Today there are platforms like OTT where people can enjoy movies even sitting at home, which is a good thing, but I think going to theaters is a completely different experience and nothing can replace that. So if you give good content, give good stories, make a good film, then the audience will definitely come to the theatre. But if you make a bad film, then that time is gone that your film will be average. Now either the films will do wonders or will be outright flops.