You wouldn’t come across a prouder father than Anil Kapoor in showbiz. As glowing reviews for Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga pour in, Anil is basking in pride, more for his daughter than himself.
“Proud to see her make such brave choices at such a young age… I too used to balance out the hardcore commercial projects with something more offbeat, something unexpected. If I did an out-and-out commercial Tezaab I also did a Parinda,” says Anil.
.Parinda incidentally was produced by Anil’s dear friend Vidhu Vinod Chopra, who is also the producer of his new film Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga. Says Anil, “Vinod and I go back a long way. In fact the title of Ek Ladki... comes from Vinod’s 1942 A Love Story. That’s the last time we worked together. And now we’ve collaborated again 25 years later, can you believe it!”
Anil remembers saying no to 1942. “I actually refused the part initially. I was asked to play someone much younger than my actual age. Vinod convinced me. That’s when I started taking my work-outs, exercises and diet very seriously. So yes, the credit for my trim-and-fit look goes to Vinod Chopra.”
Anil brims with pride when he speaks of Sonam. “She’s making such brave choices. Neerja was a film that broke many myths. It gave Sonam a chance to prove herself as an actor. I am thankful to (director) Ram Madhvani for believing in Sonam. Now I feel Ek Ladki Ko Dekha… gives Sonam another opportunity to prove what she’s worth. Her performance is not-overpitched. She is never over-dramatic because she relates with real people and situations through her first-hand experiences. She’s widely read and travelled. She connects to her character in Ek Ladki… And expresses the character’s emotions with such natural grace.”
