Over-the-top storytelling doesn’t excite me: Rajat Kapoor

By Nivedita

New Delhi, May 17 (IANS) He acts in Hindi films and makes them too, but Rajat Kapoor is not a Bollywood buff as such. The actor-filmmaker, who is as active in the theatre world as in filmdom, says over-the-top drama in storytelling doesn't excite him at all as he favours simple and subtle portrayals.

Kapoor was in the capital last week to decode elements of his style, share the inspirations and experiences which moulded his journey as an actor at the second edition of Blenders Pride Reserve Collection 2016.

Asked if he will ever make films with a lot of fashion and drama involved in it, he told IANS: "I don't think so."

"That doesn't excite me at all. That (the film with a lot of drama and fashion) kind of storytelling doesn't excite me at all. Also, over-the-top drama doesn't excite me at all. I think it's worth keeping (films) simple and subtle."

Kapoor's 2013 directorial "Ankhon Dekhi", a quirky drama about a character named Raje Bauji, played by Sanjay Mishra, was highly appreciated. His other directorial ventures, including "Mithya" and "Mixed Doubles", got critical acclaim too.

Even his acting projects, both mainstream and non-commercial, have found appreciation -- especially his performances in "Phas Gaye Re Obama", "Bheja Fry", "Monsoon Wedding" and "Dil Chahta Hai" among others.

On the big screen, he was last seen playing the role of a father to actors Sidharth Malhotra and Fawad Khan in "Kapoor & Sons".

Despite being so active in the industry, he doesn't watch Hindi films.

"I don't watch Hindi films. Maybe I watch one of two films in a year, but not more than that," he said.

Asked what he is working on nowadays, he said: "I have a few projects now and I am looking for a producer as always."

"I don't know which one (script) will get made first. All the films are very different and one is a gangster film with a lot of style. I also want to act in that film, but I am still looking for money for the films to be made," he told IANS.

With a background in theatre, Kapoor has come a long way in Bollywood. He credits his experience in theatre for helping him carve a niche for himself in Hindi film industry, but says that it is not necessary for an actor to have the same experience.

"It's not important to have theatre background to be an actor. I know many people who are great theatre actors but bad film stars. These are exceptional people too, but these two mediums are very different, so I don't know why film actors have to be theatre actors or vice versa," he said.

(Nivedita can be contacted at Nivedita.s@ians.in)