‘Rang De Basanti’ has surprised every trade pundit with its unprecedented success. The success of the film has made its young ensemble into overnight stars. On a Friday evening at his residence in Juhu, Mumbai, I caught up with Kunal Kapoor- the lyrical and lanky Bohemian Aslam in the film. Dressed in light casual wear, Kunal, who suddenly finds himself as a heartthrob, talks about his acting aspirations and more.

Q. You began as an assistant director to Rakeysh Mehra on Aks? How did that happen?
A. Actually, at the time I wasn’t quite sure of what to do…and hence dabbled in a lot of things. One of my friends who used to work as an assistant to Rakeysh called me and suggested that I audition for an ad that Rakeysh was planning to do. Apparently, I fit the look they were looking for. I eventually shot for the ad. Once I got on the sets however, I loved the way it felt to be amidst that action. So I chased Rakeysh for around five months to allow me to hang around the sets. He finally relented and I started as a production assistant. I did that for about a year or two. In the meanwhile, he began working on Aks…and I ended up assisting him. I’d learnt the ropes by then because in advertising a production assistant and an assistant director are almost the same as you have to do everything.

Q. What prompted you towards acting from directing?
A. Acting was always at the back of my mind. I loved being in front of the camera. In fact, halfway through Aks, I’d decided that I wanted to be an actor. Whenever they needed anyone to stand in or give the cues, I’d volunteer. If a junior artist was missing, I used to fill in. I found the whole process very appealing.

Q. Are you sure the acting bug hadn’t bitten you much earlier? If I’m not mistaken, your first tryst with acting was when you were seven…for a film called Rustam.
A. (laughs) That was nothing. It was a one day shoot…very irrelevant. They even edited my portions out of the film (laughs again).

Q. You’ve done theatre as well. Which medium do you find more challenging and ultimately satisfying?
A. Honestly, I’m a big film-buff. Besides the acting, I love everything else that goes into the making of a film- the editing, cinematography, production design and all the other technicalities. I am fascinated by the elements of cinema. However, cinema and theatre are two completely different mediums. It’s difficult to say that I enjoy doing one more than the other. Both have their separate unique joys. Theatre is gratifying because you find instant appreciation. The audience is more active as opposed to the passive nature of cinema. Theatre in that sense gives an altogether different high. Cinema on the other hand allows me to witness the creation of an end product. Having been an assistant director, I know what goes into the making and I respect the medium for that fact.

Q. Having been associated with directing, does that part of you influence your decisions in choosing a role?
A. I’m sure that subconsciously it does. As a director you envision, so I’m sure that having been one…it affects my decision. More importantly, I believe it gives me a broader outlook of the story. I know lots of actors who just read their parts outside the story, but as a director you look at the film as a whole and see how it works on a macro level. In that sense, being an assistant has given me the ability to look at a film as a whole which I think is very important.

Q. What do you look for in a role?
A. There are different reasons for choosing a role. Just recently, a director called me and asked me to read only three lines. I can’t name him as I’m in the process of signing, but those three lines were so interesting that I immediately latched on to the project. There are also times when a script doesn’t seem appealing on the first reading, and it takes even three or more readings to see how good it is. It’s not always the role. Sometimes the story attracts you and sometimes merely the opportunity to work with someone you admire, irrespective of the fact that you may not like the story. But you’re certain that the director will embellish it with his trademark style and vision, and push you as an actor to bring the best out of you.

Q. When you signed Rang De Basanti, were you the least bit apprehensive that maybe your role wouldn’t eventually turn out as it promised to be in the script? Did the towering presence of Aamir Khan create doubts that perhaps at the editing table, you’d be given a raw deal in favour of the bigger star?
A. I was never apprehensive. Firstly, I’ve always been a big fan of Aamir. The opportunity to work with him was big enough for me. Secondly, I knew Rakeysh and I’d read the script that he’d put five years in for writing. I knew that Rakeysh would never compromise with his vision. So even though I’d heard these stories, rubbish actually, I was never insecure of being with Aamir. And Aamir as an actor has the greatest respect for the script. Aamir knew that Rang De Basanti is an ensemble film. Read the rest of this entry »