Harshvardhan Kapoor — we know him more as Anil Kapoor’s son and Sonam Kapoor’s brother, and less of an actor. His debut film two years ago did not work at the box office. Those who saw it criticised him. Many slammed him having a rather clear mind of his own, not something that young actors like to show off when they start out. But this Kapoor lad is anything but deterred. Instead, he is unfazed and maintains he is not here to do what others expect of him. Before the Bhavesh Joshi release on Friday, The Woods caught up with him.

The Woods: The trailer of Bhavesh Joshi has been liked. The film was evidently not an easy film to make...

Harshvardhan: These are not big films and not Rs 6-8 crore films. And we are also not the quintessential Bollywood format films. What that does is, it makes the journey long and hard. But if you are passionate, you are honest, and if you believe then it will happen. And if you don’t try and do different stuff, how are things going to happen? 

♦ After Mirzya (his debut film) failed at the box office, a lot of people talked about you and your attitude. People commented how you apparently believe you are a star already, and that you know better than everybody else. Did that ever bother you?

♦ Whenever you try and do something different, people will have reservations. If you look into history, anybody or any film, especially in a place like this, people are always going to doubt you. And if your first film does not do well, people are going to turn around talk. 

♦ How is the biopic of Abhinav Bindra shaping up?

♦ We are going to start shooting in November.

♦ That would see you in a very different avatar, we believe?

♦ Yes, clean shaven. Initially very skinny, because I am going to play him from the age of 16 years old to 26. This film is going to take us through 20 years of Abhinav Bindra’s life. We will be shooting in Brazil, Athens, Beijing, Chandigarh and the Bindra house. We will be creating a shooting range in Mumbai to perfect the air rifle. It is going to be another journey. Like Bhavesh Joshi, it is going to take time.