Rajat Kapoor to play balding lover in new film

After playing suave, sophisticated characters, actor-director Rajat Kapoor will now be seen as a balding middle-aged man who falls in love with a girl half his age after talking to her online in the movie “I M 24″.
“Our next is a comedy ‘I M 24′ and Rajat Kapoor plays a 42-year-old balding writer in the film who falls in love with a 22-year-old girl through online chatting but lies to her that he is just 24,” Arindam Chaudhuri, who is producing it under his banner Planman Motion Pictures, said.

Directed by Saurabh Shukla, the romantic comedy also stars Ranvir Shorey, Neha Dhupia and Manjari Fadnis.

Planman Motion Pictures’ other projects include “Do Dooni Chaar”, which is the comeback movie of Neetu Kapoor that also stars Rishi Kapoor. The comedy will be made by first-time director Habib Faisal.

Being a Kapoor is not enough for Ranbir: Rishi Kapoor

Rishi Kapoor can't stop smiling. His son Ranbir's "Wake Up Sid" has got an overwhelming response from audiences and critics alike, but Kapoor senior is cautious and says his son will have to continuously prove himself as it is not the surname but one's performance that ultimately counts in the film world.
"Just being a Kapoor was never going to be enough. Ranbir had to show his worth as an actor. I also had Raj Kapoor as father, but it has never been easy for me even till date. For the last 40-odd years, I have been proving myself. The same would always hold good for Ranbir. It's a never-ending journey," Rishi, who belongs to the third generation of the Kapoor family, said.
At the same time, he is unable to conceal his excitement with the positive reviews and appreciation coming his son's way.
"Ever since Thursday evening, once the preview shows and other private screenings were held, I have been inundated with congratulatory calls. I was humbled and was waiting for audience reactions once the film opened to public viewing on Friday," Rishi said.
He reveals that he was in constant discussions with wife Neetu Singh, who on her part was sure that the film would strike a chord amongst youth.
"She assured me that the current generation would truly identify with what the film is all about. We both had seen the film and Neetu was quite confident about the setting and milieu of the film. She asked me not to worry at all. She was right," Rishi said.
Produced by Karan Johar and directed by newcomer Ayan Mukerji, "Wake Up Sid" also stars Konkana Sen Sharma.
The actor says he is proud of the way Ranbir's career has progressed during the last couple of years with first "Saawariya", where he received critical acclaim, then "Bachna Ae Haseeno", which did well at the box office, and now "Wake Up Sid".
"My chest is swollen with pride. As a father, I am so excited that my son has been doing so well in his career. This hasn't been an overnight job by him though. He has worked hard to earn it.
"Star son or no star son, everything just vanishes when the film comes on screen. It's your performance that ultimately speaks," Rishi said.

Yesteryear Superstar Rishi Kapoor Flattered To Play The Title Role In Chintuji

On the eve of the release of his latest film Chintuji, RISHI KAPOOR takes out time to tell JYOTHI VENKATESH, who he knows since he had made his debut with Bobby, that as an actor, he has always gone against the tide…

What is your role in the film Chintuji?

I play an ageing actor who is entering politics for all the wrong reasons to make money and not to serve the people. The entertainment quotient of the film comes out of me being a brat. Of course, in the end he is shown to undergo a transformation.

Tell me something about the director of the film?

Ranjit Kapoor who is making his debut as a director in a film after spending several years in directing plays has done a brilliant job as a director by blending fact and fiction beautifully. Ranjit also happens to be the elder brother of actor Annu Kapoor and the father of actress Grusha Kapoor.

Were you narcissist enough to suggest a title like Chintuji for the film?

Let me make it very clear, I did not at all suggest that the title of the film should be Chintuji. Chintuji was not the original title of the film. The original title was Hadbahedi Yahan Sab Teek Hai. We felt that it was a tongue twister. On the contrary, I was scared that the new title might affect the goodwill that I have earned over the years, if the film did not turn out well at the end.

In what way do you think you suit the title role?

I have been cast in the film, in the title role because they needed an actor who happens to be the son of Raj Kapoor to play the role. It was quite flattering for me to be told that the film did not need a young hero. It was definitely more interesting to note that a producer was ready to put money on someone who is no longer a saleable star.

What is Chintuji all about?

The film has a story that is part fiction and part fact. It is more of fiction because I am not a conniving man who wants to join politics or a brat in real life. The USP of the film is that it is autobiographical and has a dramatic screenplay.

Why is the Russian actress Sana Ksenirabinkina, who acted in Mera Naam Joker roped in for playing a key role in Chintuji?

The joker plays a very important part in a very crucial junction of the film Chintuji. It was hence very important to have Sana Ksenirabinkina stage her comeback in Hindi films after a hiatus of around 40 years, after she had acted in my father’s film Mera Naam Joker. Sana plays an old lady who is the wife of the ambassador of Uzbekistan in Chintuji.

How was the experience of acting in Chintuji?

I enjoyed acting in the film. I should say, it was flattering to play the title role, because I do not think any other actor has ever done a similar role in his career. To tell you the truth, it was not tough at all playing myself because playing a brat comes easy to me. It is totally me, and Ranjeet helped me by creating situations in the film keeping in mind my total persona. I just enacted his vision. I am confident that the film would earn me great critical acclaim.

What do you feel when you look back at your career over the last four decades?

As far as my career is concerned, God has indeed been very kind to me. I have always gone against the tide as an actor. I was never the conventional hero. For the first twenty years, I was the wrong hero- a romantic hero who was pitted in action films. I was always a loser who was winning in the circumstances. When again my time came, the younger heroes came to do romantic roles. It was unfair. Tell me how many actors of today have worked with Raj Kapoor in as many as three films? I worked in Mera Naam Joker, Bobby and Prem Rog with my father.

Why did Neetu Singh stage her comeback with a small appearance in Love Aaj Tak?

It is a wrong notion that Neetu has staged her comeback with Love Aaj Kal. When we realized that we needed an important figure to play the character of Harleen in Love Aaj Tak, when she becomes a senior. I told Neetu that God has been kind to us. Riddhima has settled down and Ranbir is doing well for himself, as far as his career is concerned and now since she did not have to shoulder the burden of rearing the kids like before, she could very well afford to take up acting if she likes any script. I explained to Neetu that we needed her for just one shot, which was the last scene in the film.

Did Neetu agree instantly to do the role?

Yes. She agreed to do the part immediately. We did not do it for monetary reasons or critical acclaim. Neetu did it for a lark. Frankly we did not even imagine that the film would turn out to be such a big hit and give us a lot of mileage.

Okay tell me with which film is Neetu now all set to stage her comeback in a full-fledged role?

Neetu is actually staging her comeback after a long period with Habib Faizal’s Do Dooni Char in which both Neetu and I are then main protagonists. We have a great responsibility on our shoulders, because we are not stars who can guarantee an opening or a hit.

After Aa Ab Laut Chale, why did you decide not to direct any film?

I can concentrate on only one creative side at a time. Today, I am acting and earning with dignity. I want to concentrate on acting now. If I change my track, I am afraid I may lose my spontaneity and become a ham and take my work for granted and that will be the end of Rishi Kapoor.

How happy are you with the way Ranbir’s career has shaped?

I am happy with the way Ranbir has managed his career. He is only two films old and is passionate about his work. Hits or flops may continue to come in an actor’s career, but what is important is that an actor should have the fire in him to achieve, like Ranbir. It is a trait that has been inherited by him from his father and his grand father. To gauge his work is difficult. It is the same with me too. It has always been a joy, passion for me to work as an actor. I have not been there just as a flash in the pan for the last forty years.

I’m a blessed actor: Rishi Kapoor

From his first film “Bobby” (1973) till now - Rishi Kapoor had a smooth journey in Hindi films and admits that he has been a blessed actor as compared to many others.

“I’m very satisfied with my career graph. I have been a blessed actor. My first film as a hero, itself was a hit and then I went on to play the leading man for 27 years. More than 25 heroines have made their debut opposite me,” Rishi told reporters here.

The actor was in the capital to promote his forthcoming film “Chintuji”, releasing Sep 4.

‘Love Aaj Kal’ is just another love story

Film: “Love Aaj Kal”

Cast : Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Rishi Kapoor, Rahul Khanna

Director: Imtiaz Ali

Midway into the second half of “Love Aaj Kal”, Rahul Khanna screams at Deepika Padukone and asks her to make it clear what she actually wants in life. That’s one of the very few moments in the film audiences can really empathise with.

After all, this is what you as a viewer also feel throughout the love story of Saif Ali Khan and Deepika - what do they really want?

They break off, but haven’t quite drifted apart. “After all it’s an era of communication,” says Saif. So much so that even when the ‘once in love and perhaps still in love’ couple decide to take care of their lives separately rather than getting into an ugly long distance relationship, they continue to meet and greet and paint the city of Dilli red.

It’s just that continuous talks around ‘how we are happier today when compared to yesterday’ become monotonous after a while. It seems good though in the initial reels of the film. In fact, the first 20 minutes of the film are excellent when the director wraps up the beginning and the end of the Saif-Deepika love story.

While watching this portion of the film, you do feel that “Love Aaj Kal” is indeed treading a very original path. In fact, the entire ‘break up party’ introduction is an ace in the hands of Imtiaz Ali and he plays his cards brilliantly.

So far, so excellent but this is the point from which the film starts taking a dip. Rishi Kapoor’s emergence in the story gets a good kickstart. But the entire flashback angle with Rishi narrating his own story, something which sounds quite exciting on paper, doesn’t really carry the same punch as the Saif-Deepika story.

In fact, whenever the film goes into past mode, it dips and only Deepika’s re-emergence on the scene lights up things. Watch out for the scene where she finally decides to move on and brings on a fake smile in front of the mirror.

The interim love story of Saif and his Swiss girlfriend brings the pace down again, hence making for an uneven ride till interval.

Post interval portions don’t quite help things much as the ‘Dilli bhraman’ of Saif and Deepika looks fake.

Just when it seemed that the film had come to an abrupt end, there is this twist in the story that makes one wonder if “Love Aaj Kal” is the same movie that started so impressively and ended in such an ordinary manner!

If not for the performances and the music, the film would have dipped even further.

Deepika is excellent as she brings in a certain casual feel to the entire ‘getting in love and then breaking up’ part. Watch out for Saif in those excellent monologues once every 30 minutes or in the brilliantly narrated sequence that goes along with ‘main kya hoon’.

Rishi hardly gets scope but is nice in his earlier scenes; one wonders though what made Rahul sign a film that doesn’t fetch him a single decent scene!

Yes, one understands where Ali was coming from when he decided to convey that the emotion of love was just the same across different generations. In the end, however, “Love Aaj Kal” turns out to be just another love story.

Today love is more physical- Rishi Kapoor

The favourite lover boy of Bollywood fans for over decades, Rishi Kapoor will next be seen in Imtiaz Ali’s Love Aaj Kal. Here is a brief tête-à-tête with the veteran star.
You still possess the same energy and passion for cinema like that of your younger days and have not changed.
(Laughs) No, No, I have put on a lot of weight now, there comes by few roles that you pick and chose, I enjoy working even today and I am still passionate about cinema. Unfortunately, very few roles are written for actors our age. One can’t keep repeating the father and brother roles. You have to choose and pick the best amongst the lot. The character has to be an intrinsic part of the plot. But technically, films have become more superior.
What is your opinion of heroes who are in their 40’s and still dominating the screen?
I think I was the only actor who worked beyond his 40’s as a hero. I worked with the youngest lot of heroines like Juhi Chawla and Divya Bharati in Deewane. No hero has beaten me to it.
What do you feel about cinema today?
The days of silver jubilees, golden jubilees, and even diamond jubilees of films are no longer there. I feel proud that I stood the chance of having those jubilees and trophies to my name. Today it is the era of the multiplexes. Only the initial days are counted.
Tell us about your role in Love Aaj Kal. You are making a comeback with your wife?
I play the character of Veer Singh Panesar along with Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone. Neetu has just given one obliging shot in the movie. You have all got it wrong. She is not doing a full-fledged role. We are actually making a comeback with another film titled Do Dooni Char being directed by Habib Faizal. I am playing a school teacher and she plays my wife in the movie. Love Aaj Kal is film about what people perceive of love today. It’s is a film about relationships. I perceive Saif as the younger Rishi Kapoor in the movie as I take him through the journey of my love story.”
Can you tell in two lines what Do Dooni Char is all about?
The film is very close to my heart. We play a Punjabi couple in the film. I play a math teacher who is trying to make ends meet by teaching in a school, and giving tuitions by the night.
What is your perception of love?
Love during our times was pure. We used to woo girls over a cup of coffee. Our commitments were serious. Today love is more physical. It’s too big an ambit to talk about. How was it working with Saif and Deepika? Saif is a wonderful boy, a wonderful producer. He has done a brilliant job. So has Deepika. She is a competent actress. The film belongs to both of them.