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I was petrified when I had to enact out intimate scenes with Ash: Ranbir Kapoor
Updated on: 21 October, 2016 12:07 PM IST |
Team Radio City caught up with Bollywood’s most eligible charmer, ahead of the release of ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’.
Read our candid chat with the one and only, Ranbir Kapoor
Ranbir, the instant reaction that the trailer got was who could’ve thought of casting Aishwarya Rai Bachchan opposite you? When you found out that she was doing the film, what was your reaction?
Ranbir: Even I could not believe it when I came to know so. When Karan narrated the script to me, I told him that he can try asking her, but I was sure, she would say no. But when I got to know that she did say yes, I was surprised. I’ve known Ash for very long. She had acted in my father’s film, ‘Aa Ab Laut Chalen’ and I was an assistant director on the film. So, we’ve been friends since then. And once she got married to Abhishek, who’s been more like family to me, I’ve gotten to interact with her better. Also, I’d like to point out that she is a very like-minded person. If I did have a friend, it would be her. She is very warm, knowledgeable, passionate about movies and graceful as a person.
Is it intimidating then, to work with her as a co-star?
Ranbir: It is. I was petrified when I had to enact out intimate scenes with her. But she would scold me and tell me to do the scenes properly. So I told myself to make the most of the chance I had. With this, I get to tick two wishes off. One, was to work with Madhuri Dixit which got fulfilled with a song and the second was to work with Ash.
Another wish that you must be ticking off with this film is the chance to get directed by Karan. He has been your co-star and also a producer of your films. Which role do you prefer him in the most?
Ranbir: I think as a friend. He is a master of all trades. But his role as a friend has mattered to me the most. Especially in the last four years, I’ve seen a lot of ups and downs, personally and professionally and he has been of immense support to me. He has offered me films even when my films were failing which I will be very thankful to him for.
In the promos and behind the scenes, it seems like you all were having a lot of fun on the sets. So was it only fun and games always or did Karan have you do some serious work too?
Ranbir: See, Karan’s philosophy is simple. The equation that you strike on the sets is what you bring on screen. So, Anushka and I are like old friends, who will yell at each other and then laugh it out next minute. So, that was the vibe that Karan tried exploring in the film. Usually, when I work with Ayan Mukherji, Imtiaz Ali, Anurag Basu, or Anurag Kashyap, the roles are very intense, so it requires me to be in a certain way. But Karan wants us to have fun when we are on the set.
You said if you could have a friend in the industry, it would be Ash. But tell us about the equation you share with Anushka.
Ranbir: Anushka is very confident and unapologetic. She says things as it is. She doesn’t give two hoots about anything or anyone. Many times she has been in some foot-in-the-mouth situations and I’ve always tried to bail her out. But she is a lovely girl and I’m glad we share a deep friendship, which I hope remains and we get to do more movies together.
The Break Up Song is a huge rage already. If you could prepare a Break Up kit for someone facing a break up in reality, what would it include?
Ranbir: I’ve played roles that have had me mostly heartbroken, whether it’s ‘Rockstar’ or ‘Barfi’, so I know what it feels to go through a heartbreak. But all I’ll say is, get busy and don’t sit idle and waste a thought. Don’t eat a lot because staying healthy is important.
Your change as an actor is visible to all. Do you think a lot has changed about you as a person, since the last couple of releases?
Ranbir: I wouldn’t know. The effort is to grow personally and professionally. Maybe, you’d be able to answer it better.
You are shy and a reserved person, but news about you going on a holiday to Fiji in 1986 is on the internet. Does that faze you about your private life?
Ranbir: That way, I’m thankful that I’m not on social media. I do not surf the internet that much, but I do understand that people are interested in you as an actor, so that kind of information is popcorn gossip. So, I do not get affected by it.
So many of your films have been in discussion in the last few months, be it ‘ADHM’, ‘Jagga Jasoos’, ‘Dragon’ or the Sanjay Dutt biopic? Can we say it is the second coming for you?
Ranbir: This word ‘comeback’ and ‘Ranbir is finished’ do not faze me. Since my first film, the process has been simple. There are always two films which I shoot in. It’s sad that ‘Jagga Jasoos’ took long to roll out. But I will start the Sanjay Dutt biopic in December with Raju Hirani and start Ayan’s film in July 2017. The title has not been confirmed yet. So ‘Dragon’ is a working title. These are very challenging roles which any actor would want to do. It is not going to be easy to play Sanjay Dutt on-screen, hence, that would require a lot of physical training. So the coming year is going to be a productive one for me.
What can you tell about the film without giving too much of the story away?
Ranbir: It is not a love story, it is a story about love, friendship and heartbreak. The question you will ask yourself is would you choose a soulmate or a bestmate. There are a lot of aspirational aspects in the film which you expect from a Karan Johar film. So it’s a completely escapist film. You can forget your worries while watching the film.
A lot of Hollywood films are doing well in India today and are earning much more than our releases. Do you think we really need to pull up our socks and stop shelving mediocre cinema?
Ranbir: I do not know about mediocre cinema. But looking at it positively, I can say that I hope our films make the kind of money in the West as their films do. If the content is good, the movie will make money. Language is not a barrier.
Tell us about Shah Rukh Khan.
Ranbir: He is charismatic and a legend. And he’s in the film. smiles He has a special appearance and he has a very important philosophy to offer to my character which is crucial to the film.
Lastly, what is your message for our readers?
Ranbir: I love you all and thank you. I hope I can reciprocate the love through good and entertaining films and I hope to see you all in cinemas, this Diwali.