Annu Kapoor still clings to his theatrical roots after years in the film industry, says Angela Paljor
35 years in cinema and another 9 years in theatre, completing 44 years in the artistic realm, Annu Kapoor feels fortunate enough to work with directors like Shyam Benegal, Girish Karnad, Mrinal Sen and Satyajit Ray. “In the commercial setup I have worked with Yash Chopra, Shekhar Kapur and N Chandra. And now I can say that working with Priyadarshan and Shoojit Sircar have provided me with great experience and I always cherish those moments,” shares the 61 year old who’s film, Muavza: Zameen Ka Paisa is gaining momentum.
The story revolves around five brothers, born with a silver spoon in their mouth. They soon fall prey to the venomous plans of the village pandit Bechu Bhai (Annu Kapoor), who, is true to no one but himself.
From Masseur in Utsav (1984) to Dr Baldev Chaddha in Vicky Donor (2012), he has been portraying characters ferociously. Kapoor gives credit to the years he spent doing theatre. “Travelling across India in bullockcarts to jets — I have witnessed the lives of the various social strata. Along with an in-depth knowledge of Western culture, be it music, literature or cinema,” he adds. However, he was never fond of acting in his early life.
“I never had any fondness for art. I wanted to complete my IAS. Unfortunately, my parents didn’t have the kind of money to support my education. So, I had to give up my studies after tenth and I tried various odd jobs — selling lottery tickets and even running a tea stall.
“My father wanted me to join his folk theatre company and so my journey started — travelling from one village to another, performing various acts. It was my brother who wanted me to join the Delhi School of Drama in 1776, get proper education,” he adds.
For Kapoor working in independent or commercial cinema doesn’t differ. “I work according to the script. Coming from a folk background, I can do buffoonery, but at the same time, I can even play Kabir. I work as per the script and what the role demands, which should be interesting.” Muavza: Zameen Ka Paisa’s Bechu is the same person who performed Gandhi in Sardar (1993).
Even after 35 years in the industry, Kapoor takes his work very seriously. “Even now I work really hard for every character. I am committed to the script, the director and the producer,” says Kapoor who, is organised and disciplined by nature.
Travelling across cities during his theatre days, Kapoor has become comfortable with various dialects. “I have worked hard to get the proper enunciation, making my characters standout. But most of the actors have not seen the real India, so their expression remains constant throughout.” One can’t disagree with the fact that Kapoor’s characters have no resemblance. And he strongly believes that he deserves recognition from the film industry, media and the audience for his contribution.
Kapoor has a straight forward approach of telling people who ask why he chose certain projects, “I work for money. To get it, I’ll not kill someone or rob a bank rather but work hard. Unfortunately, Indian psychology is such that we accept the pretentious aspects of life, rather than the bitter reality.”
Married to an American, Kapoor feels he is the only Indian in his family. “This is not their country. And the moment I die, within a year they will shift back to US. However, I was born here and I want to die here.”
“My priorities are clear,” he says. “I am not interested in politics because I’m not qualified enough. But I will continue to serve the country at my own level,” he is a member of a group of over enthusiasts, environment supporters, fighters against global warming, known as FABGA. On Diwali we will request people not to burn crackers and the next morning, at least 200 workers of FABGA, with broom in their hands will clean the road of our locality. “We don’t do it for publicity, unlike the big celebrities who are seen with brooms cleaning green leaves, we genuinely are concerned about the environment. People should stop making a fool of others.”
Photo: Pankaj Kumar