Like father like daughter?

 

 

What is "Delhi 6" all about?

"Delhi 6" is a very beautiful film. It’s about a Delhi-based girl who lives in Chandni Chowk and meets a guy called Roshan (Abhishek Bachchan). In this film, I play the role of a struggling singer.

Your first film was with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and now your second film with Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra. Do you consider yourself lucky?

Of course! Very few people get a chance to work with such renowned directors so early in their career. I’m indeed lucky.

Do you think it has to do with being a star kid?

Being from a family which has worked in films has its advantages. I don’t deny that, but talent also matters. A ‘Bollywood’ family obviously makes it easy to enter the film industry but then going ahead depends on one’s performance. I started my career with Sanjayji but he didn’t cast me because I was a star daughter. He took me because he believed that I fit the role and would do justice to it. He worked very hard on me, my looks and my role.

Did you always want to become an actor?

Never! I had never thought that I’d be an actor; I was never confident about it. Then I took a break from studies and assisted some directors. This was the time when Sanjayji saw me and told me that I should become an actor. It took a while for Sanjayji to convince me and then I got that movie with him, which most people can only dream about.

Are you nervous about your upcoming film… as nervous as you were for your first film?

Yes I am. Every film is important for an actor, be it the first or the second. I eagerly await the release of every film of mine. In fact, even my dad gets as nervous as me about my films! The songs of “Delhi 6” have been highly appreciated and I hope the film does well too. Now people also address you as the Masakali girl…

(laughs) That’s really good news for me! But let me clarify that Masakali is the name of the pigeon in that film.

How was the experience working with Abhishek Bachchan?

It was very good. He is a terrific actor… very serious about his work on the sets. He really helped me throughout the film and I enjoyed the whole experience.

Your first film was with Ranbir Kapoor and in your second film, you’ve worked with Rishi Kapoor. How do you feel about it?

It feels great. Rishi Kapoor ji is an amazing actor and a wonderful person too. I feel proud to have worked with him. Although we have very few scenes together but it’s still great to be part of the same project.

When your first movie "Saawariya" wasn’t as successful as you might have hoped, did you regret working in that film?

Not at all! I agree "Saawariya" wasn’t successful, but I don’t regret starting out with that movie. To be working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali is a matter of pride and I’m happy that I started out with his movie. My work was appreciated and I’m glad about that.

Until some time back, there were rumours of an affair between you and Ranbir Kapoor. Was there any truth to them?

None at all. There was nothing between Ranbir and me. We are good friends and nothing more than that. He is very happy with Deepika and my best wishes are with them. Deepika is a very sweet girl. When new actors work together, such rumours are bound to go around. But there is absolutely no truth to it whatsoever.

You’ve largely managed to steer clear of controversies that routinely stalk actresses. What do you have to say about that?

It’s a good thing that I am appreciated for my work and not in the news because of controversies. Now is the time to concentrate on my work. I believe that the day I find my dream man, I’d be in love too. But as of now, I’m in love with my career and I’m happy with that. How has your dad Anil Kapoor, a brilliant actor himself, tutored you?

I’ve learnt a lot from him. Wherever I am today is because of him. The reason he looks so young even today is his hard work and diet. He barely looks older than any of us! He has made me an independent thinker and taught me to never be scared of failure... that if luck doesn’t favour us today, it will some other day. He has taught me all the intricacies of acting and I’m very lucky that he’s my dad.

What is his opinion on your films?

He says he's proud of me and stated that he had never imagined I could be so good with acting and be so confident in front of the media.

How soon in the future can we expect to see you with your dad on screen?

I'm getting a lot of offers but dad and I think that if we were to come together onscreen, the movie ought to be somewhat different. I do hope that we get to work together soon. Anyway, I’ve just started out and have a long way to go.

Which of your dad’s films are your favourite?

Though I love most of his movies, I really like “Mr India” and “Woh Saat Din”.

Both “Saawariya” and now “Delhi 6” present you as the traditional Indian girl. Is that what you are comfortable as?

It’s nothing like that. It’s just a coincidence that both my movies had a storyline in which I’m portrayed as the traditional Indian girl. But if you were to see the promos of “Delhi 6” carefully, you would know that in one song I’ve worn western outfits. Basically the story of the movie is such that I can’t wear jeans and skirts in front of my family and so I wear them behind their back. I’m sure you would get to see a different side of me in my upcoming movies. Like I said, I’m just starting out...

What are your upcoming projects?

I have some offers in hand. Right now, dad is going through the scripts. For now, I’m busy with the release of “Delhi 6”. I hope the movie does well and is appreciated by the audience.