Catapulting to success

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It may be the hair — but Aditya Roy Kapoor’s unconventional looks have taken him on a rollercoaster ride that brought him three films with the biggest stars and directors in Bollywood. The VJ-grown actor who just turned 25, says he couldn’t have asked for a better birthday present, “I don’t know, but yes, the hair worked as director Vipul Shah and Sanjay Leela Bhansali thought it fit the roles. Still, I am ready to chop it and experiment with my looks in the future,” he laughs.

Though his first two films, Vipul Shah’s London Dreams and Action Replayy didn’t go great guns, Aditya Roy received a phenomenal response for his role, “I feel good. I am just so happy to be part of these films, that director Vipul Shah gave me a chance to perform. I’m not in the frame of mind to be upset about the box office results as I have another film going in next weekend.”
So how did movies happen? It was serendipity, the actor says, “I was 18, studying at St Xavier’s, doing nothing… My brother’s friend was auditioning for a VJ’s job and I happened to be there by fluke. I never imagined I would go beyond that.”
Life is a whirlwind now, he says, and there’s so much to learn, “I have been learning and absorbing everything I can from directors like Vipul Shah and Sanjay Leela Bhansali. There’s so much work, I have no time to stand and think. My friends who have been part of my life are proud of me. I am proud of the roles that I have done so far. I played the Pakistani music enthusiast, Wasim Hayaat Khan in London Dreams. In Action Replayy, I play Akshay Kumar and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s son Bunty, who is very troubled as his parents’ relationship is not going too well. So he takes measures to ensure that they start loving each other again. He’s a catalyst in the film. In Bhansali’s Guzaarish, I play Omar Siddiqui, who comes into Hrithik and Aishwarya’s life and helps them out. The entire process has been like going back to school,” he says.
Barely a few films old, but he’s learned to avoid getting stereotyped quickly. “I want to explore the parameters of an actor. For me the script and the maker are very important since I have started on this level. It’s very important to make the right decisions.”
And if Aishwarya is in the film, the decision is easy, “I never imagined I would be doing a movie with Aishwarya Rai and here I am in two films with her. She is not only a bundle of talent but also has good technical know-how which makes it easier for the director.”
Despite jumping in the deep end, Aditya says he hasn’t had to swim with the sharks, “None of the actors made me feel that I was new here. I heard it’s a Khan dominated industry and it would take years to make a mark on my own. But it has been an enriching experience. You just need to go a step further and bring out the best in yourself. They have all been so gracious and patient with me. I had many solo scenes with Akshay and when he saw me rehearsing on my lines on the first day, he became fond of me. Working with Om Puri was also a pleasure. I used to sit and watch him doing his scenes. Shefali Shah (Vipul’s wife) gave me tips on reading the script and interpreting them in different ways. It was a delight working with these people. What more could I ask for? Sanjay Leela brings out a performance in you that you never thought existed. I am thankful he pushed me and made me find myself.”
Unlike other actors Aditya has not had any film school training. “I don’t know if I should go to one. So far I’ve been alright. I wonder if I should go and unlearn a few things or just move ahead. It’s a tried and tested method they say but I need to think and choose,” he confesses.
Right now all he wants is to work, work hard and work with the best, “We have so many stalwarts and new-age filmmakers that I want to work with everyone, from Mani Ratnam to directors like Dibakar Banerjee and Vikramaditya Motwane, I idolise all of them!”
In his spare time, he rehearses with his band and jams with friends, “We have formed our own group. I play the guitar and write lyrics. Given a chance I would love to explore this aspect in movies in the future,” he rattles off.