There's a Chandu inside all of us: Kunal Kapoor

Bollywood actor Kunal Kapoor might be familiar to Malayalis as Aslam of Rang De Basanti, but they were in for a surprise when director Jayaraj cast him for as the celebrated anti-hero Thacholi Chandu in his next movie, Veeram. Expectedly, the audience are curious and eager to watch Kunal bring alive 'Chathiyan Chandu', once immortalised by Mammootty in Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha.
The actor admits that it has been no easy task, from understanding and imbibing a character from the medieval period who lived in a different culture, to mastering kalaripayattu.Kunal, also a trained pilot and a car racer, is quite a multitasker and believes in living life to the fullest. As he walks in, a head taller than others around, it becomes obvious that he has a huge fan huge fan following in God's Own Country, cutting across genders. Confidence and a strong passion for films emanates from every word as he talks to us about Veeram, his Bollywood career, plans to become an astronaut and more!
What made you take up Veeram?
Well, there were multiple things! I have always been a fan of Malayalam cinema and I would say that Mollywood has often come up with some of the finest films in India. It is known for its diverse making style and refined acting. Also, it's directed by Jayaraj sir whose work I have always admired. I realised that joining the film would give me a chance to be part of a beautifully told story. He has taken Macbeth and the legend of Chandu Chekavar and woven both into a very interesting story.
Usually most of the roles that come to me are very similar to each other. But Jayaraj sir gave me a chance to play an anti-hero which I have never done so far. He saw me in a completely different way. He wanted the character to look very intimidating so I have put on about 12 kilos, and all of it's muscle. I had to transform physically as well which was very exciting. I also got a chance to learn kalaripayattu which has been a dream for a long time. This movie has fulfilled that dream as well!
How was it to give life to Thacholi Chandu from our Vadakkan Pattukal?
The character has many shades and he goes through several transformations in his life's journey ' from being an honest and honourable warrior to someone who gets seduced by power and ambition, and eventually ends up being a ruthless tyrant.
I would say that the character forced me to explore the deeper and darker sides of the human in me. It was exhilarating to travel through those places of our mind we usually hide even from ourselves.
Chandu was very much relatable for me. I was able to understand exactly what he was going through. Simply because I think we have all been in a place where greed and ambition have got the better of us. And we wanted to be the bigger versions of us and wanted to feel more powerful. And we do things we shouldn't be doing. And I also think that we have all been in a place where we are torn between what is right and what is wrong. And we end up doing the wrong thing and feel guilty about it. And the rest of our lives we live justifying our deeds. Even though this is a character from the 16th century, I think the human emotion was very much relatable.
Mollywood already has an amazing movie, Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha, about Chekavar Chandu'
I know. I am a hard core fan of Mammootty and Mohanlal. I have watched almost all the movies they have acted in, so far. However, I consciously stood away from watching Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha. I should admit that I was really tempted to! I know that there is no one in the world who can match up with Mammootty's performance. He is such a fantastic actor and when an actor like me watches it, I will definitely try to emulate it or maybe copy it or pick up something from it. I felt it will take me away from the originality of what I can do.
Tell us about the experience of mastering kalaripayattu'
Years back, I had practiced a little bit of kalari, but never with this sort of intensity. There was someone who had flown down to Mumbai from Kerala for more than a few months and I was trained under him constantly. It was amazing and obviously very challenging because kalari is a very difficult martial art. A lot of weapons were used in this movie and I had to get trained in them too, especially urumi which was very tough to handle. I suffered lots of wounds and cuts. So, like people usually say, I have put my blood and sweat into this film (laughs).
Seems like you have become a fan of kalaripayattu'
Yeah, for me kalari is the greatest form of martial art. It is not only about fighting. There is a lot of grace and fluidity and it is beautiful to watch as well. It is spiritual and every posture and every movement has a strong reason and it links you to something. In fact when I first started as an actor the first thing I got trained in was kalari. I still continue to practise it as I really want to master it.
The trailer of your Bollywood film Dear Zindagi is creating a lot of buzz here'
I am eagerly waiting for the movie directed by Gauri Shinde which has Shah Rukh Khan and Alia Bhatt too. Everybody in it are incredibly talented. I am also doing a movie named Raagdesh, a film based on the Indian National Army (INA)and the Red Fort trials of 1945, directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia. Again, a really interesting story and I am shooting for it currently. It is one of the most important chapters of our history. And it is very sad that we haven't been taught about it in schools. They remain unsung heroes.
You recently did a play and had also worked in theatre with Naseeruddin Shah'
Theatre for me is the greatest learning ground. It has moulded me as an actor and it is something that I want to keep going back. Thus came out the recent play Ek Punjab Yeh Bhi inspired by Ali Akbar Natiq's Urdu short stories based on partition. I play the role of a Punjabi but different characters in all the four stories.
I worked with Naseeruddin Shah about 15 years ago. It was a phenomenal experience. I was surprised to watch the amount of effort, passion and dedication he put in to bring his best even after 35 years in the industry. I understood that acting just doesn't happen but it comes out of hard work and dedication.
You have done only a few movies in your 10- year-long career...
I would love to do a lot of movies. But for me it's a toss between quality and quantity and I will always choose the former. I want to get excited about what I do as acting is not just a profession for me. I have to put my heart and soul into every film I do. And I also don't want to work with those who consider movie making as just a job.
When I started off, I had taken some risky choices and then I decided to play it safe for a while thinking that it was the right way. But of late, I have realised that success really for me is the chance to express myself creatively.
What about your interest in direction?
I began my career as an assistant director for AKs. I would love to direct and I feel it needs an entirely different mindset. I will definitely direct a short film soon but not a feature film anytime soon.
Tell us how it's like to be a pilot and car racer as well...
It is important to have passions beyond your work. I enjoy learning new skills. I want to look back at my life and say 'Look, I have lived my life to the fullest!' I enjoy doing 'dangerous' things which give me that adrenaline rush.
So what is your next adventure?
I am now co-writing scripts. I think it's dangerous enough (laughs).
I have one more dream and that is to become an astronaut. I am fascinated by space and going there would be very exciting for me.
How is God's Own Country treating you?
I just love its culture and people. Both are wonderful, warm and I have only had great experiences here. My close friends are from Kerala whom I have grown up with.
Unfortunately, I haven't got a chance to connect with the young actors over here but I have embraced it's food. I am obsessed with appam and stew! I have been relishing it for all the three meals in the two days I was here.