This story is from April 1, 2014

I don't want to be a piece of furniture in films: Rishi Kapoor

There is a much softer aspect to the veteran actor Rishi Kapoor that goes far beyond his stoic demeanour. A doting father, a concerned husband, and an enthusiastic granddad...may not be traits that Rishi puts on display very consciously. But these are certainly nuggets we picked up from his personality during a recent interaction in Chandigarh where he has also pledged his organs (to PGI)
I don't want to be a piece of furniture in films: Rishi Kapoor
There is a much softer aspect to the veteran actor Rishi Kapoor that goes far beyond his stoic demeanour. A doting father, a concerned husband, and an enthusiastic granddad...may not be traits that Rishi puts on display very consciously. But these are certainly nuggets we picked up from his personality during a recent interaction in Chandigarh where he has also pledged his organs (to PGI).
That said, the actor feels a larger onus riding on him to contribute, rattle the social consciousness of the Indian society, (without getting into the role of a real life politician, mind you, since Rishi is very sure of never jumping into politics). And with politics ruled out, the only platform he says he is left with, is that of doing socially relevant cinema.
You pledged your organs at PGI recently and currently you are shooting for a film Aye Bala Ko Taal Tu which also has a social message… I believe as an actor that is all I can do. That is all, we all actors can do to contribute towards our society. It's either by endorsing a social cause publically or by doing a film with a social message. Aye Bala Ko Taal Tu has a sensitive subject. Stats say especially North and East India has maximum rapes between 4.30 and 6 am, a time when poor women go out in fields to relieve themselves because there are no public toilets. The film talks about that and I play a corrupt politician in it.
ALSO READ: Rishi Kapoor pledges to donate his organs
You think, for actors for our stature, such subjects are risky considering it is off-beat? Who cares! We don't need unnecessary pushing around of a romantic cast for films that don't need one. And why just actors of my stature, I feel it's a bigger challenge for even my son, Ranbir, to do these kinds of films. And when I say my son, I am using him as a metaphor for contemporary superstars, I am not talking about other actors I am talking about my son as the star who represents a generation of superstars today. These films can't be 100 crore films, but these are reality based films, and I am very happy to be of some service to give back to society by being a part of them.
Do you feel a need to give back to society by doing such films? No, there is no 'need' for me to do a social cinema. It's just that ki meri umar mein nai toh actors kya karenge? I don't want to play father roles. And I use father roles figuratively for roles that are just hanging around…don't want to be a piece of furniture in films. After 42 years if I am still acting is because of my passion for the craft, otherwise I am very content with my career and life, and I also have my son's career to oversee.

ALSO READ: Nawazuddin wants to clarify matters with Rishi Kapoor
Though now you say younger actors should also do social cinema, at one point you even disapproved of Ranbir playing a mute in Barfi! and playing a salesman in Rocket Singh… But see, he proved me wrong! He proved all his detractors wrong including his father. Ranbir broke the shackles by doing off the curve roles… he broke the taboo of being the hero who only plays it safe with roles where he wears the tirchi topi with a basketball in his hand and 40 dancers behind him. But if he can change that, take the risk by doing one film a year, and if that failed he was doomed, this means there is acceptance for actors to espouse social causes in films. And why not, after all, that's all our stardom can help with in this country.
At this point, do you take courage from Ranbir's choice of films and dare to get into scripts that you may not have before Ranbir took to acting? Arrey Ranbir toh abhi bacha hai. I don't take courage from him, but that said, I do think what he did takes courage, the courage to take risks.
ALSO READ: ​War of words between Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Rishi Kapoor
By the time actors gain experience in Indian cinema, they become mature about acting, do they get into that mould of saying, why do Hindi films? Probably...but things are changing now. I am the main protagonist in films today. Amitji is doing the same. Today, because of the multiplex scenario, the sensibility of audiences is different, I count in this kind of film, Aye Bala Ko Taal Tu types, to make that difference though I have always been making that difference whether it was with Do Dooni Chaar, etc. See, I am not forcibly working in films, I am not imposing myself on directors…roles are being scripted for me now. And I am enjoying this new body of work.
Do you also oversee Ranbir's choice of work? Both my kids are above 30 now…grown up enough to take their own decisions. Though from our side, Neetu and I have always given both of them the freedom to choose. For instance, Riddhima never wanted to get into films, she had a boyfriend and wanted to get married instead. We never stopped her.
Are you a strict father? Well, if you call teaching discipline, values and morals to your kids as being strict…yes, then I have been. But it is largely Neetu's upbringing that our kids have inculcated good ethics since I was always busy shooting for films in their growing up years. We are both very proud of how both Ranbir and Riddhima have turned out.
You are also compiling your memoirs into a book… Yes, someone is writing my memoirs. I have 42 years of cinema behind me…that sure makes for a wide range of memories. I am looking forward to it keenly.
"I am open to Punjabi cinema"
Though Rishi Kapoor was born and brought up in Mumbai, he doesn't negate his family origins that lie in Punjab. So much so, that Rishi says he is very interested in doing a Punjabi film provided he gets the right script. "I would love to do a Punjabi film. And if script demands, maybe it can get Neetu in it too. This is the only way I can contribute towards my roots. But, that said, I want to contribute towards Punjabi as an Indian first."
Watch the trailer of Bewakoofiyaan:
author
About the Author
Jaspreet Nijher

Jaspreet Nijher, principal correspondent, has been working as a features journalist at The Times of India, Chandigarh, for the past seven years. Her interests range from interacting with people from diverse backgrounds to listening to soft English rock and classical, pop music, reading books on spirituality, philosophy, astrology and fashion. Her hobbies include writing and driving.

End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA