Saawariya may have tanked but there’s no stopping Ranbir Kapoor. The storm in the towel is now busy with his next film from the Yash Raj banner, directed by Siddharth Anand. A chat with the new heartthrob...

How is it working with Yash Raj?

I am very excited about it. The film is shaping out just great.

Your character in Saawariya was surreal. What do you play in your new film?

A contemporary guy, someone from today’s times.

Does your character’s age vary from time to time in the film?

Well, there are a lot of stories circulating about my character but I am not in a position to talk about it yet. All I can say for now is that the film stars Minissha, Katrina, Bipasha and Deepika.

Which of the four actresses have you shot with?

The only actress I have shot with so far is Bipasha. It was a wonderful experience working with her. She is a lovely person and a great co-star to work with. I am going to shoot with Minissha soon and thereafter with Deepika and Katrina.

Do you miss your first heroine, Sonam?

Of course I do.

Sonam seems to be very fond of you. She recently said in an interview that ‘Ranbir is as sexy as a Greek god’.

Sonam is just extra kind to me. We have been friends since childhood. So there is a deep connection between us. Moreover, we have been co-stars in our first film and have gone through the initial journey together. We both wish well for each other. As soon as we find something interesting, we will take it up, but there is no hurry to work together.

There is a buzz that you are seeing Sonam. True?

I think such things are quite natural for two stars of a film, especially when the movie happens to be their first film. So we understand how it works. Also, we come from film families; we are quite unaffected by it all. We just have a good laugh about it.

Do you feel more confident, now that you are facing the camera for your second film?

I have a sense of confidence in my craft right now. When I get a scene in the morning, I think about the approach I can take to it. Hopefully, I will deliver a good performance.

Are you happy with the reactions you got for Saawariya?

Well, the reactions both from the audience and the industry has been heartwarming. My parents are really proud of me. Every day, a school bus stops in front of my house and the kids call out my name. It feels great. I was very keen to know my father’s reaction. He has always been very honest, even about his own son. When he told me, “You are 200 times better than me”, I was overwhelmed. Of course, I don’t believe it!

Are you disappointed that Saawariya didn’t do well at the box office?

Well, it was disheartening because Mr Bhansali toiled on it for two years. He was extremely passionate about the film. But you cannot challenge the audience if they don’t accept a film. You have to move on because you know that there are so many stories to be made and told.

Do you feel that if Saawariya had not been pitted against Om Shanti Om it would have had a better chance?

I don’t believe that. If the audience connects with the film, it doesn’t matter what the competition is or how lengthy the film is or what genre it belongs to.

In retrospect, do you feel you should have had a more ‘commercial’ launch?

I don’t think I could have had a better launch and a better character to play than Raj. I will always be extremely proud of Saawariya.

Do you expect to get all the Best Debutant awards this year?

I don’t know. If I get the awards, it will be great but it’s not that I will feel miserable if I don’t.

Don’t awards matter to you considering you are a newcomer?

I think every aspiring actor always looks forward to an award. You always make your award-winning speech ready before being actually declared a winner. Awards boost your confidence.

Who do you think are the strongest contenders for Best Debutante this year?

I think Sonam and Deepika. Since I have worked with Sonam I wish she wins, she has worked really hard. But you can’t tell. It depends on the jury and the audience’s poll, eventually.

You were reportedly being considered for Raju Hirani’s next, Five Point Someone. You denied meeting him but he said he met you...

I met him for the first time at the premiere of my film much after the question about whether I had met him or not had been posed. I am a big fan of Mr Hirani’s work. I would love to work with him but as of now he hasn’t offered me any film. So the question of my not doing Five Point Someone doesn’t arise.

Rakeysh Mehra wanted to cast you in Dilli 6. Do you feel that he backed out because Saawariya didn’t work very well?

Well, where Mr Mehra is concerned, yes he did show interest in casting me but I had already committed to Siddharth Sir. So that couldn’t be worked out. But it’s not that before Saawariya people were offering me films and post-Saawariya they have stopped. People are still showing a lot of interest in casting me. I am reading a lot of scripts these days. So it’s just getting better and better.

What are your future projects?

I am going to be busy shooting for the Yash Raj film till April. I am in no hurry to sign any other film. I am free in the month of February so I am going to take up a few endorsements.

Mauli Singh (Bollywood News Service)

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