Tusshar Kapoor's on a new professional high. In an interview with TOI, he says why he'll never quit Bollywood
Do you think solo hero films don't work for you?
My first solo hero film was a big hit. After that when I opted for lover boy roles the films did not work. But I don't think I am to be blamed for this. I think it's the bad script, the director and the film that should be blamed. If a Love u ...Mr Kalaakar does not work, people should not forget that Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai was a big hit. If a film does not work it is because the script is bad not because I failed to deliver.
Is it time for you to do more meaningful cinema?
I have good comic timing and some of the comedies I have done are commercial successes. But people forget that I was appreciated for my work in Shor In The City, Kya Kool Hain Hum and Life Partner. I want to do meaningful cinema but that does not mean I'll stop doing films like Golmaal.
Films should ideally not have been your first priority, considering you do have a BBA degree tucked under your belt. Did growing up in a film family mean that you'd have to eventually do films?
I'm not going to make filmy statements that 'I grew up seeing my dad as an actor and wanted to be one'. My father had a very tough time before he found his place in films. When I finished college, I could have done a nine-to-five job, but I followed my heart and joined films. If you compare me with my father's career like everyone does then I also need some time before people can write me off. As long as filmmakers offer me good scripts why should I not work?
The baggage of being Jeetendra's son and Ekta Kapoor's brother can be cumbersome. Do you feel upset when your films don't work?
Like I said, I have never compared myself to any of my family members. I live in my own space and they live in theirs. I have done most films with new directors and very few films with my home production company. I don't have to depend on my family to get me work. When I lived abroad, I developed a certain sense of self-worth, so I am not enamoured by anyone's success. I am patient enough to be my own critic. Sometimes your potential is not tapped to the best. Agreed that I never had to struggle for work, but let's face it, nobody offered me work because I'm Jeetendra's son. If you compare me with my contemporaries, then I have done some reasonably good work.
There's buzz that you are dating your co-star Radhika Apte?
I have just had dinner with Radhika a couple of times when we did Shor In The City. Wonder how these stories of us being a couple surfaced. I am ready for love but I am not interacting with more people for that to happen. I need to be attracted to someone. I don't know when it will click!
Has the numerology bit worked for you?
I only added the 's' because my mom believes in it. I am a believer of God but I am not at all religious like the other members of my family. I am not superstitious and don't believe in wearing threads or rings. I just go to the temple and pray.
You've maintained a low profile in Bollywood. You hardly party nor are you doing any brand endorsements.
That's because earlier I didn't have a good PR machinery to market myself well. I promoted my films, but did not make myself as visible as I should have ideally. Today I think more than the money, endorsements are also great PR tools to help you get eyeballs. I realize that apart from being appreciated for your work, you need to be seen in the right places at the right time.
Do you think solo hero films don't work for you?
My first solo hero film was a big hit. After that when I opted for lover boy roles the films did not work. But I don't think I am to be blamed for this. I think it's the bad script, the director and the film that should be blamed. If a Love u ...Mr Kalaakar does not work, people should not forget that Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai was a big hit. If a film does not work it is because the script is bad not because I failed to deliver.
Is it time for you to do more meaningful cinema?
I have good comic timing and some of the comedies I have done are commercial successes. But people forget that I was appreciated for my work in Shor In The City, Kya Kool Hain Hum and Life Partner. I want to do meaningful cinema but that does not mean I'll stop doing films like Golmaal.
Films should ideally not have been your first priority, considering you do have a BBA degree tucked under your belt. Did growing up in a film family mean that you'd have to eventually do films?
I'm not going to make filmy statements that 'I grew up seeing my dad as an actor and wanted to be one'. My father had a very tough time before he found his place in films. When I finished college, I could have done a nine-to-five job, but I followed my heart and joined films. If you compare me with my father's career like everyone does then I also need some time before people can write me off. As long as filmmakers offer me good scripts why should I not work?
The baggage of being Jeetendra's son and Ekta Kapoor's brother can be cumbersome. Do you feel upset when your films don't work?
Like I said, I have never compared myself to any of my family members. I live in my own space and they live in theirs. I have done most films with new directors and very few films with my home production company. I don't have to depend on my family to get me work. When I lived abroad, I developed a certain sense of self-worth, so I am not enamoured by anyone's success. I am patient enough to be my own critic. Sometimes your potential is not tapped to the best. Agreed that I never had to struggle for work, but let's face it, nobody offered me work because I'm Jeetendra's son. If you compare me with my contemporaries, then I have done some reasonably good work.
There's buzz that you are dating your co-star Radhika Apte?
I have just had dinner with Radhika a couple of times when we did Shor In The City. Wonder how these stories of us being a couple surfaced. I am ready for love but I am not interacting with more people for that to happen. I need to be attracted to someone. I don't know when it will click!
Has the numerology bit worked for you?
I only added the 's' because my mom believes in it. I am a believer of God but I am not at all religious like the other members of my family. I am not superstitious and don't believe in wearing threads or rings. I just go to the temple and pray.
You've maintained a low profile in Bollywood. You hardly party nor are you doing any brand endorsements.
That's because earlier I didn't have a good PR machinery to market myself well. I promoted my films, but did not make myself as visible as I should have ideally. Today I think more than the money, endorsements are also great PR tools to help you get eyeballs. I realize that apart from being appreciated for your work, you need to be seen in the right places at the right time.
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