August 10, 2017
Actor Anil Kapoor, basking in the success of his new
film "Mubarakan" where his Sikh character Kartar Singh is being appreciated,
says he has never run after instant success in his life.
Brushing off the
claim to individual fame with "Mubarakan", which also features his nephew Arjun
Kapoor in a double role, he said: "I feel any film is a team effort. There are
so many films with an ensemble cast featuring me where others have been liked
more. After 'Slumdog Millionaire', all of us stood on that stage receiving that
Oscar.
"That is the team spirit in which Mubarakan was made. Sure, my
character was liked. And it contributed to the film's success. But my nephew
Arjun has also been liked. I was surprised by how dedicated and focused he is at
his age."
This is the first time Anil played a full-fledged Sikh
character.
"I loved getting into a turban. I really enjoyed my character.
Kartar Singh is destined to be iconic just like my characters in 'Mr India', 'No
Entry', 'Nayak', 'Ram Lakhan' and my TV series '24'. I played characters in
these films who are remembered to this day. Even now people call me Lakhan from
Ram Lakhan or Kishen from 'No Entry'."
"Mubarakan" is not the first film
of Anil that had a low start at the box office.
"My other films like
'Judaai', 'Taal' and 'No Entry' had a subdued start. They went on to become big
successes. I've never looked for instant success. Nor have I ever craved to be
the pivotal character in my films. Right from the beginning of my career in 'Woh
Saat Din', I never played the conventional hero.
"I never feel
threatened by any co-star because I don't look anxiously at what others are
doing. I focus on my own work."
Prod him to name his favourite co-stars
and Anil gets evasive.
"Favourite, I don't know. But I've done my maximum
films with Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit, Amrish Puri and Jackie Shroff. And in many of
the films with them, they had more footage than I did. There was more of Sridevi
in 'Judaai' and 'Mr India' than me and more of Madhuri in 'Beta'. But I never
felt I'd be overshadowed."
Amrish Puri is one actor he misses.
"I
don't think 'Mr India' or 'Nayak' could be possible without Amrishji. He was one
of my most formidable co-stars. I learnt so much from him. As for Jackie Shroff,
we did so many films together we were buddies. We don't meet that often any
more. Our wives Sunita and Ayesha are more connected now than Jackie and I."