Birthday Special: Meeting Ranbir Kapoor the superstar
Ranbir Kapoor, who celebrates his 31st birthday today, is an actor who continues to go from strength to strength. For his fans, his ongoing growth and way of satisfying his audiences is always going to attract interest and adulation. However, what is Ranbir Kapoor like as a person? BizAsia have had the opportunity to meet him a few times and, in a change to the norm, we thought we would bring you our personal accounts of spending time with him. How does Kapoor come across in real life? What can we share about him to show what he is like to meet and have a conversation with? Here, our team provides a little insight into what it is like meeting the star that is Ranbir Kapoor.
“A player, a bachelor on the loose, cheeky, full of energy; these are just some of the words used by the media to describe the youngest in the bloodline of the Bollywood Kapoor family, Ranbir Kapoor. I have been lucky enough to meet him twice; my first time was when he was in London promoting ��Barfi�۪ (2012) and more recently at the press conference for ��Besharam�۪. In the first meeting, I was struck by his charm but also by his underlying vulnerability when speaking to me about his character Murphy in ��Barfi�۪. He was keen to make me believe in the character and his acting abilities and the fact that it was a different film that would give a fresh insight into his talents. At the press conference for ��Besharam�۪, Ranbir Kapoor attended alongside his mother Neetu Kapoor and father Rishi Kapoor. Ranbir Kapoor facilitated the question and answer session with the media but here he seemed a little less charming and more on the defensive side. He was protective about the questions aimed at his parents and keen to field the awkward ones if he could. One thing is for sure, Ranbir Kapoor has grown up with the expectations of being part of a Bollywood film family firmly on his shoulders. He is turning into a mature actor, who is humbled by his success and still believes in the art of acting. Happy Birthday Ranbir Kapoor, wishing you all the best for the coming year!”
Sanoobar Patel, BizAsia Correspondent and Features Writer (Twitter: @Sanoobar)
“Ranbir Kapoor. The very mention of his name sends hearts fluttering, eyes goggling and sighs of hope and dreams, everywhere around the world. The characters he plays, poise senses of charm, charisma, and joy. And like these roles, these traits are very much present through the young actor’s personality. After having landed from India that very morning – one the day I met him for ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’ (2013) promotions – and heading straight to interviews for the whole day, these characteristics were still very present in him. Having entered the interview room in the late afternoon, we could hear Kapoor�۪s joyful voice behind a curtain, and as he came out to greet us he had a big smile of his face. He was full of energy and excitement, and was very happy to be there with us. During the interview, he was very present in the moment of our conversation and he answered our questions in a very humble and grateful manner. He had nothing but kind words to say about all those who have contributed to his success and was very interactive during our meeting. Through my short interaction with Kapoor, not only did these things make my admiration for him grow, I also found a sense of respect for the actor. He loves his job, and everything that comes with it. And most importantly, he is grateful to the world for his growing achievements. He definitely deserves all the love and success that comes his way.
Shyama Sudra, BizAsia Correspondent (Twitter: @SSudra)
“I’ve had the privilege of meeting the actor twice so far and what a memorable two times it has been. The first thing you notice about this Kapoor is his incredible ability to make you feel at instant ease with his ‘Hi, I’m Ranbir’ handshake… as if I don’t already know who he is! It’s almost unnerving for an actor of his stature and generation to be so welcoming, accommodating and so obviously humble. What one expects this star-son to be, he is not. In fact, he’s everything you don’t expect and a whole lot more. Having met Kapoor when he came to London for ‘Barfi!’ (2012) promotions and then interviewed him less than a year later for ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’, I can safely say that it would be virtually impossible to be nervous around him. His natural charisma is neither overbearing nor disregardable. The kind of respect and adulation Kapoor commands because of the work he has shown in his career is unmatched by the way he looks you straight in the eye with confidence which you almost hope rubs off on you. If there ever was an actor with a twinkle in his eye, dreams in his heart and an obvious want to be a star it is Ranbir Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor and Ranbir Kapoor.”
Amrita Tanna, Editor – BizAsia Showbiz (Twitter: @Amr1ta)
BizAsia hopes this little slice of Kapoor’s persona we have tried to give you serves as reassurance that he is more than deserving of the superstar tag which he seems to always be running away from. Happy birthday superstar!
