December 2, 2017
On a bright, sunny afternoon here in the old world milieu of Chandni
Chowk, veteran actor Rishi Kapoor took a moment from shooting for his new movie
"Rajma Chawal", to talk about how "blessed" he feels to be getting a chance to
essay meaty and lovely roles that suit his age.
"I am blessed that I am
still getting lovely work. I am really enjoying my work," Rishi told IANS amidst
the hustle bustle on the set here.
"Being an actor, I should take any
challenge, any role or any kind of work. Sometimes, the films work... Sometimes,
they don't work. That doesn't worry me. But I am happy to do any kind of role
which comes to me. Even at this age, getting good roles is a great news for me.
Any role which challenges me as an actor, I like to do it," added the
65-year-old.
Son of late legendary actor-filmmaker Raj Kapoor, Rishi had
his big breakthrough in Bollywood with 1973 film "Bobby". Since then, he went on
to play a mixed bag of positive and negative characters in movies like "Amar
Akbar Anthony", "Karz", "Prem Rog", "Chandni", "Bol Radha Bol", "Do Dooni
Chaar", "Agneepath" and "Kapoor & Sons".
Tracing his journey, Rishi said:
"I am not typecast (as an actor). I am ready for everything. I have done
negative, positive and even funny roles. That's what every actor needs to do to
bring variety. Then only he will be called a good actor -- he should be able to
tackle any kind of role."
His new film "Rajma Chawal", being shot in the
interiors of Chandni Chowk -- even with few locals as the extras -- is on a
father-son relationship and shines the spotlight on generation gap-related
conflicts.
Directed by "Parched" fame Leena Yadav, the film will feature
Rishi as the father and debutant Anirudh Tanwar as his son. It will also have
actress Amyra Dastur.
As he went gaga over the warmth and hospitality of
the local residents here, Rishi spoke about what tempted him to take up "Rajma
Chawal".
"I wanted to work with Leena. I liked the ambience and where the
story was being told -- the whole beauty of Chandni Chowk. I did it once with
‘Delhi-6'... The triumph of this project is that we are shooting the whole film
in Chandni Chowk."
Going down the memory lane, he said: "As a kid, I
remember going to Jama Masjid and eating lots of food here. If you ask me, I
would dare (any actor) to come in here with these kind of people -- if any actor
will come here, he will be mobbed.
"But here, the arrangements are
terrific and the people of Chandni Chowk have been really cooperative. They have
been very nice and lovely. They are also helping us in shooting and are even
working as extras. We have shot a lot outside too on streets," he added.
Being the foodie that he is, he has also been relishing the yummy delights that
old Delhi is famous for.
"I have been having food from every restaurant.
By the way, today I have ordered Rajma Chawal from a shop. Everyday there is
something new - chaat, samosa, jalebi, and I don't remember what all. I have
been having all kinds of food from different places," he said.
Apart
from this film, Rishi will next be seen in "102 Not Out" with megastar Amitabh
Bachchan.