Anil Kapoor with Tom Cruise

It’s been three years since Slumdog Millionaire catapulted Anil Kapoor into Hollywood and the 51-year-old has been on the ride of a lifetime. “It’s been crazy and it’s going to get crazier,” laughs Anil. Quite a bit has changed in Anil’s life since — he has a home in Los Angeles, is looking fitter than ever and speaks English with an American twang. But it doesn’t take him long to slip into Bambaiyya Hindi. He describes his small role — “I play Brijnath, a flamboyant Indian business tycoon” — in the big franchise as an opportunity of a lifetime.

Still reeling from the euphoria of hosting Tom Cruise in Jaipur and Mumbai and despite being unwell, Anil sat down to talk to t2 about almost refusing Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol, about being a ‘newcomer’ after acting for 33 years and straddling two woods: Holly and Bolly.

How did you react when you got the role?

I was in Mumbai when I got an email at about 2am with the subject-line ‘Mission: Impossible offer’. I didn’t open the mail immediately because I knew I won’t be able to sleep but the excitement got the better of me. Sunita (wife) was the first person I told. I was over the moon that night.

Did you at any point think it’s a small role, why should I do it?

Absolutely. When I was told what my role is, I thought it was too short. After being a leading man for 33 years and having worked in almost 100 films, these guys wanted me only for a small role. I understood that in Hollywood or internationally, there is no small role but I thought people in India would think I have lost it! (Laughs.)

So what changed your mind?

I spoke with my son Harsh who is studying scriptwriting at Chapman University in California. He said: ‘Dad if you don’t do this, your agents will dump you and your career in Hollywood is over’. He was the one who had also pushed me to do Slumdog Millionaire. I was still unsure so I told my manager in the US that I didn’t want to do the film. Suddenly, I decided to speak with Shekhar (Kapur). He told me, ‘Grab it. You would be stupid to not do the film’. That’s when I stopped thinking of the length of my role and saw this as an opportunity.... People might think that after all these years I am doing just a special appearance in a Hollywood film. I look at it differently. I was talking to Shabana (Azmi) this morning and she said, ‘Anil don’t worry about the length of your role. Get a foot in, lead roles will happen eventually’.

Your character seems to be inspired by Vijay Mallya...

He is, but I have to clarify that he is not as bad as my character (laughs). I wanted to meet Vijay but I couldn’t because he was very busy so I spoke with Atul (Kasbekar, photographer), who has known Vijay for years. Atul gave me a book that Vijay’s friends had made about him for his 50th birthday. The book had photographs and little notes that people had written about him. It gave me a sense of who Vijay is. I have incorporated a lot of his mannerisms, his flamboyance and dressing. It might be a small role but I did all the homework that I needed to.

What did you learn from Tom Cruise while working with him?

I observed every little thing about him. From his exceptional work ethic, his fitness regime, how he prepares for his role to how he puts together a team of professionals when he is producing a film, I have learnt so much from him.

What differences did you notice in the working styles of Hollywood and Bollywood?

Everything there happens with clockwork precision. You almost feel like you are at NASA, waiting for a space-shuttle to be launched or in a war room. Everyone knows what they have to do, there is no wasting of anyone’s time. There is no chamchagiri of the lead actors. All actors get the same amount of respect. Everything is decided beforehand so there is no confusion on the sets.

After 100-odd films in Bollywood, you are now a newcomer in Hollywood. Is it daunting?

It is. I am scared and at the same time very excited. I remember, I used to get very excited about every close-up I got during my early films like Hamare Tumhare or Shakti. That’s exactly what is happening again. It’s so much fun. This is a brand new journey and I am looking at every role giving me world exposure. All the work that I have done till now has had an audience only in the Indian subcontinent or with the Indian diaspora. With 24 or MI:4, I can reach out to people in 238 countries!

You are very open about auditioning for roles in Hollywood. That is something that Bollywood is notorious for hating....

I love auditions. I look at it as an opportunity to do another role. Whether I pass or fail the audition, I have added a new character to my repertoire.

Is there a conscious decision to avoid stereotypical roles, something that plagues foreign actors in Hollywood?

My agent and I have been very careful that I don’t get stereotyped as an Indian actor. I am pitched in Hollywood as an international actor.

What kind of roles would you like to pursue there?

I am greedy for good work. So I would love to work with Danny (Boyle) again, Darren (Aronofsky) and Christopher Nolan among many others. One lifetime is not enough for the kind of work I want to do. After a big franchise like MI:4, I’d love to do a smaller Indie project.

Kapoor as Brijnath in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

Your banner (Anil Kapoor Film Co) has acquired the rights for an Indian version of 24 with you playing the role of Jack Bauer. How do you plan to approach that?

I am very excited about 24 in Hindi. It’s going to be phenomenal. I am putting a team together and hopefully, we’ll make an announcement in the first half of next year.

How have your colleagues here reacted to your new-found success in the West?

I know there are many who don’t think much of it. They wonder why I would want to go through the rigmarole when I have a career here. There are others who want me to help make that connection in the West and I am doing whatever I can. And then there is a third kind who say that they don’t want to work in Hollywood but they keep sending out feelers. It doesn’t matter what people say, I am enjoying myself.

How have you managed to balance your two worlds?

I have Sunita to thank for all the support that she has given me. Having said that, everyone knows that my biggest priority are my children. Like the night before the Oscars two year ago, I didn’t sleep a wink because I was on the phone with Sunita discussing some issue about Sonam. Everyone here and in Hollywood who knows me, is aware of this.

Boney Kapoor and you are planning a sequel to Mr India?

That’s right. The sequel will have to be bigger and better than the first one. Or, we’ll not make it. I have quite a few projects lined up here.... There is Tezz with Ajay Devgn and Race 2.