In 2013, dreamboat Aditya Roy Kapur wooed the audiences with his terrific performances in blockbuster movies like ‘Aashiqui 2’ and ‘Ye Jawaani Haai Deewani’ and stole many hearts, but his last few releases could not weave the same magic at the box-office. Now, he is all set to face the audience once again with his latest film ‘OK Jaanu’, which hits screen on 13th January. Before the release of the film, our Mumbai correspondent, Mohnish Singh, sits with the actor to find out what he is coming up with in his new film which also stars his ‘Aashiqui 2’ costar, Shraddha Kapoor.
Your film releases on 13th Jan. Are there any pre-release jitters?
I am nervous , excited and anxious. I just want everyone to go and watch the film.
When a film doesn’t work at the box office, how much of it takes a toll on the actor and how do you get through it on Saturday as, by then, you know about how the film has fared at the box office?
You get to know about it till Monday. It’s important to try and go through the phase of introspection, where you understand what went wrong. The whole film is a process and at times you wonder what went wrong with the film. But it’s important to introspect and there isn’t only one reason that it didn’t do well. It’s important to understand that along with you there are many people who have given their all in the film. It’s (acting) an insecure profession by nature where you don’t know what’s going to fare well next. It does hurt, of course.
Your chemistry with Shraddha Kapoor in ‘Aashiqui 2’ was very good and has got an image build in our minds. In ‘OK Jaanu’, what have you done to break that image?
I think this film is very different from ‘Aashiqui 2’. The only reason that we accepted this film is that I will not be repeating myself and I felt it’s a nice film to explore that side of my personality. It’s not the same love story as it’s dealing with different shades of love. The script demanded that it had to be different.
There are many comparisons happening with the original film ‘OK Kanmani’ and when the audience saw the promo they were quite excited to watch the film. So what is that thing going on in your mind about it?
In this kind of genre, you bring your own personality to this role. When I saw the (original) movie, I felt that they (Dulquer Salmaan and Nithya Menen) had brought a lot of their personalities to their characters and it would be futile to try and imitate them. It had to be created afresh and retain the essence.
We have seen you playing a romantic protagonist in most of your films. In the near future can we expect to see you as an antagonist?
I would love to experiment with different kinds of genres. I would love to do an action film as I grew up watching them. I would love to do an out and out comedy. I don’t want to restrict myself to a romantic hero. I still feel that I have never done something like this before. I have done different characters in my last films, and in the capacity of a leading man, I have never done anything like this before. So I think that this is something new that I could connect with.
You were quite brilliant in your performances, especially in ‘Dawaat-e-Ishq’. So why do you think you are not in a better position now compared to your contemporaries?
I think it’s only that the films have not worked. There were two hit films (‘Aashiqui 2’ and ‘Ye Jawaani Haai Deewani’) in one month. You just should believe in yourself and keep going. I have the wisdom to handle failures. This is not my time and that’s OK. Patience is important.
We want to see you more on screen. Why is that you are just coming up with one film a year?
I think I need to like more scripts. Maybe I need to jump into something or maybe I am too choosy. You can’t find perfect thing every time. Maybe I need to learn a lesson.
You and Shraddha are coming together after your superhit film ‘Aashiqui 2’. Was that the reason both of you were taken onboard?
Both of us in those roles jelled well. The attraction you have when a film does well is always there. It adds value. Also the way Shaad thinks from the early stages of the film and film’s culmination he speaks more on how we were right from the beginning.
Didn’t you both get offer of coming together post ‘Aashiqui 2’?
We did but we didn’t feel about how we felt about this film (OK Jaanu).
How was your experience working with Naseeruddin Shah?
When Shraddha and I used to go to sets we always used to feel like we are entering school. He would come on sets absolutely prepared and he would know everything. As young actors we would be intimidated by him which might work against the film. He would try and make us feel comfortable and make us to ease up.
‘OK Jaanu’ is out at cinemas globally now.
Interview by Mohnish Singh for BizAsiaLive.com
Twitter: @Mohnishmania
Facebook: Facebook.com/mohnishmania
