The newest Kapoor on the block, Harshvardhan, is ready to make his acting debut. His film, Mirzya, will release next month. While the newcomer — Anil Kapoor’s son — is “aware of the expectations” he has to fulfil, he is “not nervous” about how his performance will be received. Here, he talks about his actor-father, and more.
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Are you nervous about your debut?
I have complete faith in the film. It is a beautiful piece of art. So, the nervousness is not about the movie, but about how to reach out to people, and to make them understand what this film is about. My dad is, probably, one of the greatest actors in the Hindi film industry in the past three decades.
Taking his lineage forward is no small thing. The stardom that people like Salman (Khan), Aamir (Khan), Shah Rukh (Khan), Jackie Shroff or my dad saw in the ’80s and the ’90s was amazing. So, the reach that someone like dad has is incomparable.
Harshvardhan Kapoor’s debut film, Mirzya has been directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra.
Is it advantageous, or does it add pressure to be Anil’s son?
I don’t feel the pressure when it comes to my performance. I am very original, not contrived, in terms of who I am, and what my skill set is. I feel the expectations are 30%-40% too high. I don’t think these expectations are unrealistic. But I just hope that people don’t have unrealistic expectations [of me] in terms of the film’s commercials (the box-office figures). You can be anybody’s son, but at the end of the day, it all boils down to whether people are excited to see your film or not. It is hard to entice audiences today. I want people to be patient and to not have any preconceived notions about me being Anil Kapoor’s son. Give me a chance with an open mind. I am here to be an actor. That one chance will be like a favour to me.
Your dad says you will never do a Ram Lakhan (1989) or a Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (1993)…
I would never (smiles). With due respect to all kinds of films, when dad was growing up, the kind of cinema he was exposed to, was very different. I have grown up watching very different kind of cinema. If I would have watched Parinda (1989) as a 10-year-old, I may not have liked it. But when I watched it at 18, I was blown away. We belong to different generations, so our sensibilities are a little different. I am more artistically inclined. I like to apply my mind when I watch films. I don’t like to be spoon-fed. I think Mirzya is an example of that, as it is a brave film. But you have to respect your audience. You can’t sit in your office, and say, “I think the audience is going to like it.” No one knows what the audience will like.
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Have you ever faced any creative clash with your father?
Sometimes dad tells me, “You have to be open to more things.” At some point in my career, I will do a mainstream film (smiles). I don’t think my first two-three movies are looking like that. But eventually, I will do it. I will do it within my realm, but I won’t do it because I want to be a star. I will do it just to experience a new thing. Sometimes, as an actor, it is exciting to step into a place where you don’t necessarily feel like you belong there. But I think you should only do that once you have done what you think you can do well.
What kind of your equation you share with your father and sisters?
Dad and I are more like friends. Most of our conversations revolve around our love for cinema. With Rhea, too, I have more of a friendly equation. But Sonam is like an elder sister.
Does coming from a creative family make things simpler?
Creatively, I think I am strong-headed. I do not let anybody influence me. I don’t know much about the business and commercial aspects [of a film]. So, I listen to my family when it comes to that. Otherwise, we, including my father, never talk about my work. As an artiste, you have to have your own instincts, because everybody has a different heart and a different mind. Also, I don’t think you can listen to others while making film choices.
It is often believed that star kids get everything easily…
There are a lot of star kids who go on to become great actors and some don’t. So, it doesn’t matter whether you are an outsider or an insider. You will get the first opportunity, but then it is your destiny. When you are on the sets, no one will give the shot on your behalf. In my case, it is different. If I didn’t bring something new to the table, it would be impossible for me to work on the kinds of films I am doing. My films aren’t about packaging myself; ki thodi body dikhaiyi aur thoda dance kar liya (that you show off your body a little and dance a little).
Harshvardhan Kapoor with sisters, Rhea and Sonam; and father, Anil Kapoor.
Your father and your uncles Boney Kapoor and Sanjay Kapoor are producers. Wouldn’t it be easier for you to work with them?
I always wanted to work with an amazing director. Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra (film-maker) was at the top of my list. Also, I don’t think I would have been comfortable if I was launched by a family member; I wanted that independence and creative freedom. I would like to work with my father’s production company when I become successful. In my family, Rhea and Sonam have done well for themselves. Rhea has an eye for talent as she launched Fawad Khan and Lisa Haydon. She also started the trend of styling [actors]. People tend to forget these things. However, Veere Di Wedding (produced by Rhea), will take things to another level.
Do you also plan to direct movies at some point in your career?
Yes, I do. Hopefully, if I become a successful actor, and if I am in a position to do so, I’ll take some time off and try my hand at direction and writing. It’s my dream to write and direct a film. But I think to be a director, you have to be experienced. I hope to do it in the next five or seven years. Once you get busy as an actor, and you take a two-year break, you have to then almost make a comeback. This is why most actors are reluctant to take a break. I think Farhan (Akhtar) is incredibly talented at both though. Ranbir (Kapoor), too, would make a good director. Aamir (Khan) did it successfully as well.
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