'Nobody prepares you for stardom.'
'Nobody prepares you for what happens to you after your first film.'
Uncle and nephew -- Anil and Arjun Kapoor -- get together.
Mubarakan opened to good reviews, and a large chunk of the credit goes to the chacha-bhatijaduo, Anil Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor.
Their comic timing in the Anees Bazmee film has been a highlight, and it's a pleasure watching them get together in real life too.
It's past 5 pm, and they still haven't had lunch.
Anil Kapoor munches on almonds, recommending them as much as eggs and dates.
The 60 year old has the same zip he had when he was in his twenties and one can see it radiating from him as he settles down for a chat along with Arjun Kapoor with Rediff.com's Patcy N.
Was there a comfort level since you were working with your chacha? Was there a pressure to perform well?
Arjun Kapoor: There is always pressure to do good work. He is my uncle, but he is a superb actor who has achieved so much. You have to go prepared.
The good part was that he had heard the script and felt I would be right for the role.
That gave me confidence that he feels I am prepared for material like this.
So there was excitement and a nervous energy, but I wasn't scared.
When you get too scared, you let negativity come in and then you can't do good work.
I try to stay positive and improve every day.
This is Arjun's first real comedy.
Anil Kapoor: It is not just comedy; it's more than that. It's an entertainer.
I remember Raj uncle (Raj Kapoor) would always say, 'Entertaining film banao. It should have layers of other things too -- like romance, family and also a slight message without being preachy. But at the core, it should be an entertainer.'
If it's an Anees Bazmee film, it has to be a comedy.
Without upsetting anybody in the industry, I'd like to say that he is the best in comedy! I don't think anybody will resent that or disagree.
His track record shows he is the best at it. He is very Indian and his humour comes from the soil.
I have seen even intellectuals and the multi-billionaire, classy, audiences liking like his kind of humour.
They have seen No Entry and Welcome many times.
With this film, another layer will be added to his resume as a filmmaker.
You are used to Anees Bazmee's films.
Anil Kapoor: He has done all kinds of films. People have forgotten that he has done (a romantic film like) Pyaar Toh Hona Hi Tha and (a thriller like) Deewangee on one hand, and written films like (1993's) Aankhen which had drama, emotion, brotherhood and, of course, comedy.
Arjun Kapoor: Anilchahchu is right. This film has all the masala of Anees Bazmee's movies. But we have given more than just that. You will see an added element of Anees Bazmee's abilities.
Anil Kapoor: I am motivated to go on the sets only when there is something I have not done before.
I am sure Arjun is also like that. The idea is to make people happy.
Did you ever correct Arjun's performance?
Anil Kapoor: When Anees Bazmee is on set, we don't need to articulate ourselves.
One of the reasons we thought of doing this film is Anees Bazmee.
It's very important to have a director with so much experience and a sense of writing.
I have never seen Nana (Patekar) doing comedy in other films, but see how Anees Bazmee portrayed Nana (in Welcome and Welcome Back). It's something else!
We don't have to advise each other. We just surrender ourselves to the director.
How different is Anil Kapoor on the sets and at home?
Arjun Kapoor: Energy is something that is universally associated with Anil chachu.
He is a very humble and obedient student on set.
He is like a child who comes fully prepared for his exams, but is willing to sit in front of the teacher and go through his notes.
He is one of those students who comes with his head down and listens to all of us.
You will be surprised at how much he interacts with all of us while doing a scene -- 'Let's do a rehearsal, let's do it like this and let's try it differently, Aneesbhai aap ko kya chahiye...'
He comes with the sole intent to make his director happy.
Sometimes it is not only about the energy, it is also about giving the director what he wants by just listening to him.
Anilchachu understands things better because he listens.
There are many actors who come prepared and say, 'Mujhe pata hai kya karma hai (I know what to do).'
So yes, he has energy, but the humility is that makes him who he is.
How does Arjun Kapoor come to the sets?
Arjun Kapoor: Gaadi mein (in a car) (they laugh).
Anil Kapoor: Everyone has become competitive.
When an actor gives his name to a film, it adds value, but there's a big responsibility.
All the youngsters, wherever they have reached, have to work very hard.
There are many people who have a lot of energy, but do not show it.
He is more energetic than so many people I have worked with, but he doesn't really show it on the sets.
Inside, he's a volcano waiting to erupt.
Some people camouflage it while others show it.
Like Bachchansaab has incredible energy, but he does not show it. That's his personality, the way he is.
My son (Harshvardhan) has that personality as well. Sometimes, I want to walk like him, talk like him and sit like him... the way he is cool.
But when I try to be cool, I look like a fool!
It looks fake when I do it, so it's better to be yourself.
In an interview Arjun Kapoor said he is not a people-pleaser and he ends up being with himself. What advice would you like to give him?
Anil Kapoor: You should be yourself.
Arjun's charm is because of the way he is. Girls get attracted towards him, I have seen it.
Arjun laughs.
If he tries to be me, he will look fake.
Arjun Kapoor: The audience has connected with us for who we are. Why should we try and change that?
I may have said I am not a people-pleaser in the context that I am still learning.
Nobody prepares you for stardom.
Nobody prepares you for what happens to you after your first film.
Someone can prepare you to act, but no one can prepare you to deal with what happens after your first Friday. It takes time to adjust and adapt.
I have tried to be warmer towards people because now, I am more comfortable in this profession.
Anil Kapoor: People don't remember how I was in the first 10 years of my career.
Who has a bigger influence on you -- your father Boney Kapoor or your uncle?/p>
Arjun Kapoor: There are so many things I acquired from my father.
There are so many things I acquired by observing Anilchachu.
It is very difficult to articulate these things because they are very internal.
I have seen my father and Anilchachu work hard.
I have seen my father and Anilchachu being very strong through their highs and lows. They are two sides of the same coin.
Eventually, I have learnt from both of them.
