However, while everyone is extolling his talent, Kapoor chooses to remain unaffected. “It is very overwhelming. Recognition is a great thing and I am proud of Rock On. Especially after my first film, Aryan, the fate of which pained me a lot.”

That was when he converted a Santa Cruz garage into his workstation and started writing the script of Rock On. “Besides that, I ideated with my friends, listened to music and so on. Once that was done I found the courage to ask Farhan Akhtar to make his acting debut in my film. We share the same sensibility and he liked the concept of the film so much that he and Ritesh Sidhwani decided to produce it as well. And with that things changed, I guess.”

Although he has some connections in the industry (he’s Ekta Kapoor’s cousin), he has carved his career on his own merit. “My biggest strength is that I haven’t worked for big production houses. Because I was not groomed under anyone, I have an original and independent mindset. I didn’t feel the need to add unnecessary sparkle to my film, or to introduce elements to increase popular appeal. I was able to stay true to the subject and Rock On has struck a chord with the masses, urban and small-town alike, in its original, intended form,” says Kapoor, who seriously dated Twinkle Khanna earlier. His favourite directors include Raj Kapoor, Martin Scorsese and Clint Eastwood.

Kapoor’s film on rock music looks very real, right from the beating of the drums to the portrayal of the fate of a band. Surprisingly, he does not have any background in rock music. “I have quite a background in struggle, you know, professionally and personally. So once, I had conceived the basic framework, Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy stepped into the picture and created the wonderful soundtrack for the film. The emphasis was not only on authenticity of music but also in its blending seamlessly with the story.”

Just as he gave a second chance to the boys in the film, Kapoor has obtained his own too. Especially after Rock On set the box office ringing. As for the striking parallel with his life, he says, “I completely empathise with underdogs. And I am so relieved to say that I have made the most of my opportunity. If you get a second chance, you can’t let it go waste.”