Just a month to go for the release of Saawariya. How do you feel?
Honestly, I am absolutely blank. I am feeling very numb. If I start feeling anxious or excited from now, I will completely collapse by the time the film releases!

Being born into the Kapoor family, did you become an actor by default or was it a conscious choice?
When you grow up in the world of films like I did, you naturally get inclined towards the subject. So, I was always interested in films but there was no pre-conceived notion. I knew I would do something with films but I didn’t know exactly how and where everything will fit. So, I eventually dabbled in production to start with.

Did you have a normal childhood or was it always a larger-than-life atmosphere around the house?
It was a very normal family and I didn’t get any special favours. People wouldn’t treat me differently. We (sister Riddhima and him) went to school like other children and weren’t usually allowed to visit film sets.

Was your father, Rishi Kapoor, a ‘distant’ dad?
Yes, he was too busy with his film shoots when I was growing up. And when he went slow on work, I went abroad to study. But recently we have been really close. Now that my career has started, he has been by my side advising me all the way.

Do you remember any interaction with your grandfather, Raj Kapoor?
Oh yes! He too used to be busy but he was always accessible for me. Every time my dad and mom would shout at me, I would call him and complain. He would always call back and shout at them. After all, I was his only grandson. He used to call me Gonglu; I don’t know why. Since then I have had no other pet name.

Are you a fan of Raj Kapoor the showman?
I am a big fan of all his films. My favourites range from Jaagte Raho, Awara and Shree 420 to Bobby and Ram Teri Ganga Maili. In fact, I studied his films. When I was in film school in the US, in the World Cinema classes, one chapter was on Satyajit Ray, Guru Dutt and Raj Kapoor.

Did your classmates know that you were Raj Kapoor’s grandson?
No (smiles). But it felt great. It was a very nice feeling.

Did you assist Sanjay Leela Bhansali on Black so that he would cast you one day as an actor?
That was there but primarily I wanted to have a grounding experience in Indian films and I thought working with Mr Bhansali was the best option. You can study films for 20 years but what you will learn on the movie sets is invaluable.

Did Amitabh Bachchan treat you differently?
No. Neither Mr Bachchan nor Rani Mukerji gave me any special treatment on the sets of Black. I was like any other normal assistant. I got no better food. I went through the same routine as the 10 other assistants. I too was designated certain work like the rest.

Sonam Kapoor and Ranbir Kapoor in Saawariya

Bhansali must have guessed that you wanted to be his hero, rather than his assistant?
When I first met him and expressed my desire of working with him, we discussed a lot of things. He told me that he was a big fan of Raj Kapoor. He told me: “What are you doing here? You should become an actor.” I told him that I was a big fan of his and would like to be a part of his Black. He welcomed me, taught me a lot and then when he started planning Saawariya, he thought of me. I think sub-consciously both of us knew that it would happen (smiles).

You are a graduate from the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute.Did all those method-acting classes come to any use on a Bollywood movie set?
I have been practising method acting for a long time. You know, there are elements like emotional memory which really come in handy. And Mr Bhansali would allow me to use anything that will help me in the entire process.

Bhansali is famous for being this hard taskmaster even for veterans like Amitabh and Rani. He must have been brutal with newcomers like you?
(Laughs) Rather than a taskmaster, I would call him a perfectionist. He just wants to bring out the best in you. He knows exactly what works for someone and what doesn’t. He also knows the limitations of an actor and how much he or she can give. And that, according to me, is the greatness of Sanjay Leela Bhansali. He can get levels of performances that the actor himself did not know he was capable of.

What was your co-star Sonam like?
Sonam and I go back a long way. We have been family friends. Our grandfathers were friends. We were not exactly phone buddies but we would dance at birthday parties. She is one of the most beautiful girls I have ever come across. She gives it her all on the sets. She is not too attracted to the glamorous side of showbiz. She’s got the hardworking skills of her father (Anil Kapoor).

How would you rate the chemistry between the two of you?
11 out of 10 (smiles).

Did you ever, at any point of time, feel the pressure of carrying the Kapoor name?
No, I have never seen it that way. I was born into the Kapoor family but I have my personal goals. And I want to achieve those set goals rather than try to meet expectations. I am happy to be born into the Kapoor family.

Have your parents seen Saawariya?
My father hasn’t. My mom’s (Neetu Singh Kapoor) seen a lot of it. Mr Bhansali invited her to see the rushes.

And what did she think?
I can’t explain her reaction. It’s just that the next day I could see the pride in her eyes, the smile on her face. Trust me, there’s no greater joy than making your parents proud.

(Do you like what you see of Ranbir Kapoor? Tell t2@abpmail.com)