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| 'I've never compromised' | | Q&A: Rajat Kapoor, actor and a director too |
| Abhilasha Ojha / New Delhi Mar 15, 2009, 00:12 IST |
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 He’s an actor and a director too. Rajat Kapoor’s latest film Siddharth — The Prisoner, may have come and gone from theatres in a couple of weeks, but that hasn’t deterred Kapoor from doing projects that he believes in. In an industry where it’s critical to succeed financially, Kapoor is still associated with small, independent films. Why, we wonder. Why not, asks Kapoor.
What were your expectations from Siddharth — The Prisoner?
I worked in the film because I firmly believed in it. As an actor, I’m always on the lookout to do something differently. I don’t think I was ever confident of it succeeding at the box office. I don’t approach film-making with financial logistics alone. Of course, it would be great if such films could be money-spinners too. However, having said that, it doesn’t upset me to think that I was associated with Siddharth — The Prisoner, a film that flopped. It is, after all, an abstract work of art.
They say that the lines between commercial and independent cinema are finally blurring. Would you agree?
[Laughs dryly] I don’t know why one would say something like that. After all, a film like Billoo will release with 1,400 prints amidst media hype and mega publicity. A film like Siddharth — The Prisoner (with its wonderful plot) will, unfortunately, release with 40 prints and no hype.
Where’s the question of lines blurring? What you’re saying is that audiences are appreciating these films too. But independent Indian cinema can still do with a lot more push, a lot more support.
Clearly there’s a major change in the Indian film industry and in the way we approach indie cinema?
I agree that multiplexes have supported in exhibiting films, especially the sort of films that I love watching and directing. And yes, thanks to them, at least audiences are watching films that are made under the Rs 1 crore mark. So, yes, I’m appreciative of that. But still I’d be reluctant to say that the lines between commercial and small, independent films have blurred.
It’s been 20 years since you graduated from FTII, Pune. Wasn’t there ever the temptation to get sucked into the regular roles — since the money is so good — and get instant recognition?
There never was any temptation to succeed blindly. I didn’t have any money at that time, but theatre saw me through those times. It may not sound too convincing but I’ve never wanted to please others. I’ve been very clear about the sort of work that I do. I’ve never compromised and look, I’ve even survived. What’s more, now that the industry is seeing interesting times, at least films that I believe in strongly are getting directed — and even finding their audiences.
What’s next?
I have just completed my next film, called A Rectangular Love Story. On the acting front, I have Saurabh Shukla’s I Am 24 and Raat Gayi Baat Gayi, Satish Kaushik’s Tere Sang and Mocktails by Sharat Kataria who had written the dialogues of Bheja Fry.
Have you finally purchased a mobile?
[Laughs] No. I don’t like the idea of being tracked constantly on the phone.
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