Have you ever been as directionless as your character in Wake Up Sid?
Well, there was a phase during my college days when I did it all—hung out with my friends, partied a lot, watched DVDs all day long, played on my Xbox. In that sense, there is a Sid in all of us but unlike Sid who has no goal in his life, I always knew that films were my goal. I grew up in a house where film-making is a way of life. As a kid, I remember visiting music sittings, costume fittings and story narrations with my dad (Rishi Kapoor).
How old were you when you decided to be an actor?
I knew it at a very young age. I used to stand in front of a mirror and recite Amitabh Bachchan dialogues and rehearse the speeches I was going to make when I received awards. I knew this was my calling. Even people around me took it for granted that I would become an actor. It was just a matter of when I’d take the plunge which I was quite happy to do with Saawariya.
What has happened to the party boy image that you had before you entered Bollywood? Is it PR or you’ve really mellowed down?
I don’t subscribe to the view of actors needing PR. In fact, actors shouldn’t do any PR. It doesn’t work. As for my party boy image, I was never a hardcore party animal. Yes, there was a phase when I would go out and enjoy but I always respected the deadline set by my parents. Though a couple of times I did sneak out of the house without them knowing, more or less, I’ve always been in my limits.
Unlike some of your contemporaries you have not over-exposed yourself.
Beyond a point, one has to stop being greedy about hogging the limelight all the time. I understand that in today’s world, media is all-invasive so an actor’s longevity is short-lived. Earlier an actor could survive 35-40 years in the profession. But these days people get bored very soon and you can’t blame them because the actors are everywhere. I don’t want people to get bored of me so I lie low. Even otherwise, I’m a very shy person and have nothing to talk about other than my movies. So you will see me talking only when my film is up for release.
Does the industry’s perception of you as ‘the next superstar in waiting’ ever bog you down?
Apart from my family, I’ve never felt burdened by anyone else’s expectations. I don’t want to be called ‘the next big thing’ or ‘the next superstar’ or someone’s son or someone’s boyfriend. I also find it strange when people call me a ‘youth icon’. According to me, a youth icon is someone who the youth aspires to become like. Amitabh Bachchan is a youth icon, Shah Rukh Khan is a youth icon. I’m not. I too want to become like them so how can I be a youth icon? I want to establish my own identity and I know that if I work hard, I will achieve my goals.
But you admit that you’re a heartthrob, right?
Smiles) Ah… well it’s heartwarming to see my female fans do sweet things. But I confess that it took a while getting used to this kind of attention. I couldn’t cope with all that madness after Saawariya when girls used to hug me and tear my clothes. I could have got a swollen head but thankfully my parents have kept me grounded.
What’s the craziest thing a fan has ever done to you?
That’ll be too immodest to talk about in print. But let me say that every day some 20-30 girls come outside my house and scream out my name. It’s very sweet of them and I make it a point to go out and pose for pictures with them. Their shrieks can be quite deafening. They almost make me believe that I’m in Disneyland!
Are there any pitfalls of stardom?
None at all. Come on, you get such a lot of free stuff just because you are a star. Who doesn’t like free first-class travel and free stay in the best hotels of the world? I even get free candy and chocolates. And we all know that free candy tastes way better! And I know it sounds very cheesy and spoilt but it’s only because I’m a star that I have a boy holding an umbrella over my head when it’s sunny outside. So it’s a great job!
Aren’t link-ups a pitfall (you were linked with Katrina Kaif and Sonam Kapoor)?
Link-ups come with the territory. Such baseless rumours used to anger me initially but now I take it in my stride. Of course, it feels great to be linked with such lovely girls. But we know it’s a lie. As long as my parents, my girlfriend and I know the truth, people can believe whatever they want to.
Your dancing is quite impressive. Where did you learn the moves?
On the contrary I think I’m a very bad dancer. I remember I was so nervous when I had to dance in Saawariya. I called up my dad and asked him for advice and he said, “Just smile, sing the song loudly and have fun.” I’ve tried to follow his advice. I think it’s because I don’t try too hard, it looks easy.
Who are your dancing idols?
My parents (Rishi and Neetu Kapoor), Hrithik Roshan, Prabhudeva, Shahid Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai and Madhuri Dixit.
What did you do with your first pay cheque?
I gave it to my mom. She never cashed it. She got it framed.
You’re mostly working with big banners. Have you ever thought of venturing into something slightly indie?
In many ways, Wake Up Sid is an indie film. Yes, it is produced by Karan Johar but it doesn’t have the chiffons and the lip syncs. It’s a coming-of-age film told very realistically. Moreover, Ayan Mukerji is a new director so it’s not a guaranteed film on paper. Then I have the madcap Ajab Prem Ki Gajab Kahani and then Shimit Amin’s powerful Rocket Singh—Salesman of the Year. The endeavour is to mix it up. I’m too new to know what will work and what won’t. I’m just going with the flow.
So did you or did you not break Katrina Kaif’s nose?
Oh god! It happened during my first action sequence. On the sets of Ajab Prem Ki Gajab Kahani, I had to hold her hand and fight with the goon. It just so happened that my elbow hit her nose and she fell down on the floor and started crying. It was kind of funny to see her cry like that. But I was also scared thinking of the ramifications of breaking India’s biggest star’s nose! Thankfully, she had torn just a few tissues. I tease her that her nose looks way better now.
