Rishi Kapoor has an irksome look on his face as soon as I make a request for an interview, soon after his Kalam session and a press conference at Taj Bengal on Saturday. I quickly tell him that his recent article for t2onSunday, Bol Rishi Bol (January 15), was loved by our readers. He softens a bit. “OK let’s go to a quiet corner and sit. But ask me different questions, okay? I am tired of answering the same questions every time. And only five minutes.” We make ourselves comfortable at The Hub, and shoot....
How is it being in Calcutta?
I’m coming after four-five years… I am pleasantly surprised to see that the city has become nice and pretty and clean and neat… looking so well-dressed… gives you a very good feel.... You know, Calcutta used to depress, it used to be too gloomy. But I feel now it’s a delightful city.
You are known to wear your heart on your sleeve. You have a ‘Khullam Khulla’ avatar on Twitter…
(Laughs) Yup. True.
… and now this tell-all book…
Yeah but shouldn’t it be that way? You tell me, I mean, I don’t have an agenda. I am not trying to be hypocritical. I don’t want to lie. And that’s the way you should be. And that’s why the book.
Have you always been this candid?
As far as I remember, yes. I am not saying that I have not been a sinner. I must have lied also at times, on different occasions. But here I have tried to be as candid and forthright because it happens to be my autobiography.
You are of course a foodie. In a chat with t2, Ranbir had said that at times Bengali food cooked at the Bachchans comes home…
Yes, Jayaji sends it because she knows that my wife loves Bengali fish.
Shorshe maachh?
Well, mustard fish and we get hilsa also… ilish ilish… sometimes chingri… maachher jhol… and that posto… aloo posto.
How was lunch at Aaheli (Peerless Inn) today?
Oh that was brilliant! I loved the hilsa… smoked fish. I loved the mutton. What do you call that…
Kosha? Mutton kosha?
Ah yes, mutton kosha. And then we had chingri pulao.
So you love your Bengali food?
My father’s childhood was spent in Kalighat; you know I went to Kalighat also yesterday for a darshan. My father’s first 10 years were spent in Calcutta, that is why he used to speak fluent Bengali. That’s why I am exposed to Bengali style of food and all.
In the foreword to the book, Ranbir has said that he doesn’t want his relationship with his children to be as formal as his is with you. Your comments…
(Long pause) That’s the way he thinks. I see it from a different perspective.
In your book, you mention that Amitabh Bachchan has never given due credit to the actors who have worked with him. Yet you two share a great camaraderie…
No no, I have the greatest respect for Amitji. He is such a brilliant actor. We have worked in around five films together. He’s a relative also. I have always said that Amitabh Bachchan is one of the finest talents we have in our country. And it has always been a privilege to work with him. First we started on a very cold note. And then it warmed up. And now we are good buddies and we are family also. I have said every now and then in the book that the greatest actor that we have in the country is Mr Bachchan.
Do you think the accolades you are receiving now as an actor are more special?
Yes, that’s because the acting rules have changed. Earlier there were all romantic films. And our cinema didn’t give us very many opportunities. So I am happy that I have acting opportunities now.
Raees or Kaabil?
I have not seen Raees. I liked Kaabil.
Federer or Nadal?
I don’t like tennis… next.
Calcutta then or Calcutta now?
Calcutta NOW!
Aloo posto or hilsa?
Hilsa by lengths and lengths and lengths… to the deep waters of the greatest lakes and rivers that flow.
Ranbir in Barfi! or Ae Dil Hai Mushkil?
Barfi!
Rishi Kapoor’s Twitter avatar or author avatar?
Neither. Rishi Kapoor’s avatar as an actor!
Who’s worse, Trump or Putin?
(Smirks) It’s a tie!
Your role in Bobby or Kapoor & Sons?
See these are two generations. In one I played a 19-year-old boy. In one I play a 90-year-old man. Both were equally challenging for me.
