Anil Kapoor, who plays the head of the dysfunctional Mehra family from Dil Dhadakne Do, talks about his role in the film, making an effort to look his age and more...
You have made a brave move in Dil Dhadakne Do by playing your age…
In the film, I am about 52-53 years old and in real life, I am 58. So I am playing a character younger than my age. The whole landscape of movies is changing along with the way people look at it. It’s about the character, content, story and screenplay. In good cinema, you need these kinds of characters. There couldn’t be a better time for me to do this role. This is possibly the best decision of my career. Because of films such as Piku and Tanu Weds Manu, it makes me more confident about Dil Dhadakne Do.
Did you agree to do the role as soon as it was offered to you?
No. I took time to decide, to be honest.
Was there ever a debate over your salt-and-pepper look in the film?
Zoya wanted to make me look older because I don’t naturally look my age. If it were an international film, I would have blindly said ‘yes’ to the look. Then one night I thought, “Let’s think it’s an international film and let’s do the look that Zoya wants.” Internationally, too, they won’t offer me the role of Tom Cruise’s son. It will be a strong, older character only. Am I right or wrong?
After acting in Mission Impossible and 24 in Hollywood, you made a Hindi version of 24 as opposed to taking up more lucrative acting offers…
I always do things that are totally opposite to what people expect. I always do something instinctively and organically. I felt like doing 24 here. Indian television deserves something like that.
What about the second season of 24?
The pre-production has started in full swing and the same writers are writing the second instalment.
There are rumours about Welcome Back not getting a studio. Also, has it gone over budget?
No, nothing like that. There are many studios, but we need the right people to come on board. Soon, there will be a big announcement.
