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Ranbir’s awakening
We grill Bollywood hottie Ranbir Kapoor on his forthcoming release Wake Up Sid, co-star Konkona Sen Sharma and his latest link up
Ten minutes into a phone conversation with Ranbir Kapoor, we managed to ascertain an important fact about the actor: he hails from a rare breed of celebrity - charming, thoroughly sorted and relatively well-informed.
But while his contemporaries have been exceptionally busy this year - Imran Khan simulating death defying stunts in his action flick Luck and Neil Nitin Mukesh battling a fatal prophecy in thriller Aa Dekhe Zara and a terrorist stamp in the dramatic New York - Kapoor has been perfecting the image of a slacker.
The 26-year-old’s first release this year is Wake Up Sid, which has him playing the role of a lazy and unambitious graduate, long overdue for a reality check.
“Honestly, there’s a Sid in every home. He represents the vast demographic of today’s youth that’s on the brink of a career. He’s your typical Bombay boy; he’s in college, doesn’t really want to work, just wants to hang out with his friends and play his Xbox,” notes Kapoor.
“The movie is about Sid’s coming of age. It’s about that transitional phase in his life where he chooses his profession and wakes up to his dreams, love, his family and life. Ayaan Mukherjee has given me a very well-written character to work with.”
And playing the female lead in this latest romantic comedy from Karan Johar’s production house is Konkona Sen Sharma.
While the actress has enjoyed her fair share of conventional mainstream films, she is best known for portraying some rather unusual personalities in some rather unusual movies. So her pairing with the two-film-old Kapoor for Wake Up Sid comes as a surprise to many Bollywood buffs.
When quizzed on his thoughts on the matter, the actor replies with, “I don’t think it’s that odd. Yes, Konkona Sen has done some very different kind of movies. But she’s perfect for the role; I don’t think any other actress in the industry right now could have played Aisha Banerjee; she just complements the film.
“I feel really lucky to have worked with such a brilliant actor so early in my career. Honestly, I feel like a fish out of water whenever she’s around. Her sincerity, way of working and her passion for the profession is just great,” raves Kapoor.
The actor will also be seen in Shimit Amin’s Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year and Prakash Jha’s Rajneeti. Unfortunately he is unable to confirm tentative reports that he might just be seen in Imtiaz Ali’s next since the film is still in the early planning stages.
But following close in the footsteps of Wake Up Sid’s October opening will be Rajkumar Santoshi’s Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, which is currently slated for a November release.
His co-star for that one will be Katrina Kaif, who he has been linked with for the past few months now. In fact it was on the sets of this film that rumours that Kapoor and Kaif might be seeing each other sparked off.
“It comes with the territory and changes with every movie,” explains Kapoor. “No one has linked me with Konkona Sen yet, but even if they did I am capable of shutting this stuff out. I’m not here to contradict people’s claims, I’m here to do my job. My work as an actor is to make sure people like me, my acting and my movies. My personal life or a PR game cannot make me successful in the long term.”
Unlike most Bollywood couples, Kapoor and his girlfriend Deepika Padukone have also made it a point to be as upfront about their relationship as possible.
So what inspires this candour? “I have worked very hard to create some form of success for myself – I don’t have the time to lie. I’m a very honest guy and if I am in a relationship with somebody I see absolutely no reason to hide it or lie about it.”
Ranbir Kapoor on...
His favourite acting performances:
Shah Rukh Khan in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge and Chak De, Aamir Khan in Dil Chahta Hai and Rang De Basanti and Hrithik Roshan in Koi Mil Gaya.
His favourite actress:Kajol. But recently Sonam (Kapoor) and Deepika have proved themselves very talented.
The one actress he would like to work with: My mother
Love Aaj Kal: I did see it. It was definitely very, very nice and I really enjoyed it.
The one film he’s waiting to watch: I have heard good stuff so far about Kaminey and I’m looking forward to seeing it.
Football: Whenever I get the free time I play with my friends. I also participate in some local matches and support FC Barcelona.
How he stays fit:I just love running. But fortunately I’m blessed with my mother’s genes and not my father’s. My mother kept a keen watch on my diet. But it’s all about maintaining that healthy lifestyle – eat, work out, go to work and don’t take too much stress.
Coming to Dubai: Ajab Prem ki Ghazab Kahani will be releasing on November 6, so if things work out I might come down for the premiere of the film.
Body piercings and tattoos: I don’t believe in promoting them. Your body is a gift that’s not meant to be bastardised.
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