“I had no option but to take it up”
Anil Kapoor has always been very open about his struggles and how he became a Bollywood sensation.
In a recent interview, Kapoor reveals that 1980-1981 was a turbulent time in his life because he was not being offered work as an actor.
During this period, the Mr India actor accepted an offer in the South Indian film Shakti, which Kapoor admitted: “I had no option but to take it up.”
Talking to Deccan Chronicle he says:
“I just had two small scenes in the film. One at the beginning of the film, and the other at right at the end, when the audience has already started exiting the theatre.”
Despite this, he says he was still excited to work in the film because it meant sharing screen space with acting icons, Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan, which he says felt “like a dream come true.”
Although, in hindsight, he does admit that “most people may not even have seen [his] scenes [in the film].”
Interestingly, throughout his career Kapoor has often been compared to veteran star Amitabh Bachchan, the first comparison was made after he did Mashaal in 1984.
In recent years, the likes of Bollywood star Salman Khan drew comparisons between the two actors following the release of the action film, Race 3.
Khan complimented Kapoor by saying: “The way he is doing one film after another, Anil has proved that he is the next Amitabh Bachchan. He even earns more than many youngsters!”
Despite this comparison, the actor from humbly says: “An actor like Amitabh Bachchan is born once in a lifetime. Anil Kapoor trying to fill his shoes would be an impossible dream. Just having my name taken alongside his is a big thing for me. I am under no illusions.”
Kapoor’s upcoming release Fanney Khan has led to even more comparisons surfacing. Kapoor states:
“History is repeating itself. My work is being compared with his again. It does make me happy, but I am aware of the facts, so I won’t allow misunderstandings to get to me.”
The film, which stars Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Rajkummar Rao, has received ample attention since its trailer released on 6th July.
Many fans consider the film to be innovative and are applauding its unique concept.
The soundtrack has received a lot of love, especially the song ‘Achche Din’ and sparked an online conversation amongst Bollywood royalty.
Lata Mangeshkar wished Anil Kapoor luck on his new release:
“Namaskar. Anil Kapoor ji ek guni abhineta hain. Mere Anil ji aur Boney ji ke saath bahut acche aur pariwarik sambandh hai,une mata aur pita ji se bhi mere acche sambandh the. Main Anil ji ki nayi film ko bahut shubhkaamanayein deti hun.”
Namaskar. Anil Kapoor ji ek guni abhineta hain. Mere Anil ji aur Boney ji ke saath bahut acche aur pariwarik sambandh hai,une mata aur pita ji se bhi mere acche sambandh the. Main Anil ji ki nayi film ko bahut shubhkaamanayein deti hun. https://t.co/FLWF0IUJXt
— Lata Mangeshkar (@mangeshkarlata) July 20, 2018
Anil Kapoor tweeted back saying that he hopes Mangeshkar enjoys the film and also says that her voice and the journey she embarked on as a singer inspired the premise of the film.
It is obvious that Kapoor has become a reputable and popular name within Bollywood and Hollywood.
His career began from being excited to share the same screen as Amitabh Bachan to being compared to him as an actor.
In closing Anil Kapoor says: “After all, there’s no tax on dreams… so dream on.”
Fanney Khan is set to release in cinemas on 3rd August 2018.
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