Friday, January 24, could make or break Tusshar Kapoor.
The man in question is as cool as a cucumber. "Which actor has not had two flops?" he says sagely about his career. "Criticism has been levelled against my films, not against me. I have learnt from it and working on improving myself."
Kucch To Hai, Tusshar's home production helmed by sister Ekta, directed by Anurag Basu and Anil V Kumar, is a big film for the female lead Esha Deol as well. None of her first three films made any impact -- for her career or at the box-office.
Tusshar spoke to Arti R on the eve of KTH's release:
How was it working on Kucch To Hai?
I was stressed all the time. Because it was my home production, I could never look at delays as time off. I also became more involved in every aspect of filmmaking thanks to Kucch To Hai. I was involved with everything from the story to music sittings to the director.
I was more comfortable doing Vashuji's (Vashu Bhagnani) film (Mujhe Kucch Kehnaa Hai) because I could just act and wasn't really taking care of everyone.
Working with my sister who is a creative person was also very challenging -- she's extremely strict. But the atmosphere was very charged and the six of us [the movie is based on six friends] really got know each other. We just have to wait for another thriller to come our way so we can all act together.
What is special about your character?
I play a middle class guy who is always embarrassed because he runs short of money all the time. He moves from a carefree guy in the first half to this person fraught by mystery and suspense in the second half. The love story of the film also changes form.
There were controversies with the director changing midway through the film.
Anurag Basu and my sister had creative differences, though they are still in touch. My sister wanted to see the film in a particular way; Anurag didn't.
Anil Kumar, who took over, is a very strict, very charged director. When Anurag quit midway, I didn't think he (Anil) would be able to handle the changes and flow of the story the way he has done. He handled the continuity amazingly well.
What was your childhood like?
My sister and I would spend time with my father [yesteryear actor Jeetendra] especially when he was shooting in the South. Almost every weekend, we would be on his sets and we would watch him shooting. We were the favourites of his costars.
We had a very normal childhood. Though Mom [Shobha Kapoor] was more involved in our lives for PTAs, etc, Dad was there whenever he could make the time. I remember he was there for a tug of war and was the chief guest at a function at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
Were you in awe of your father?
I was never in awe of any actor, even Dad. I loved his movies like Waaris, Parwana and Parichay.
Though I knew films were make-believe, they still affected us, especially where Dad was concerned. I could never watch him being beaten up. If he was losing a battle, I wanted him to win. I wanted a happy ending and it would upset me a lot if that did not happen.
Dad came once to the sets where I was shooting. He realised I was self-conscious. I shot in one half of the bungalow, my dad sat and talked to the cameraman in the other room. My family has remained fairly hands off.
They were there when I needed support, but that is about it.
How did the decision to act come about?
I spent two years doing my Bachelor's in Business Administration only to realise I was not happy doing what I was. I even worked for a year.
I came back. I didn't know what I wanted to do, though I knew it would be something in films.
I assisted David Dhawan. I used to watch actors and wonder whether I would be able to duplicate a given shot. Then Vashu Bhagnani approached me, and the rest is history.
I am very nostalgic about Mujhe Kucch Kehnaa Hai. I also took on the role because I had seen the South Indian movie with my dad. I thought the look, the mannerisms of the character suited me very well.
The first schedule was an outdoor in New Zealand. I really enjoyed it though we were working for at least 18 hours a day.
What changes do you see within yourself today?
The script is paramount for me. I am more disciplined. I like comedy and I think I'm pretty decent at dance. I am also working on my body now -- people have told me that is one area I need to improve.
I am also spending a lot of time learning cinema -- what audiences want, how Indian cinema is changing...
I plan to be picky, more careful, spend more time with my characters and be involved with the scripts. Kucch To Hai is my first step towards that.
What is it like being the brother of a successful sister?
I have never compared myself with Ekta. I think she has achieved her success with a lot of hard work. I wish her more success.
I just wanted to reach my potential and do my best. My parents let me be. They knew I would be nervous, but they encouraged me to face it on my own.
What about your co-actors?
Kareena and Esha are very different. Kareena was very reserved and aloof. She was never very outspoken with anyone on the sets. She was always on time.
We had to work my dates around hers because she was so busy and committed for the two movies she was working on then. We did want to reshoot a few scenes, but she was incredibly busy and didn't have the dates. So we didn't have much choice.
Anyway, as the shooting progressed, our vibes got better. She is a very chilled person, very no-nonsense and very bindaas. It was a lot of fun on the sets. Professionally, the vibes were very positive from day one.
To watch her get into the skin of her character is awesome. She is so vibrant -- the moment her cue is given, it makes you more eager to perform. She made a lot of allowances for me since it was my first film.
I remember an embarrassing incident on the 10th day after we started shooting. She was riding pillion with me on a bike, and I had to take a curve. There was very little space and the bike skidded. Luckily, Kareena jumped off the bike. But I fell. She teased me no end about it.
Esha is different. We get along like a house on fire. That could be because we are on the same level.
I don't think you need to like someone for the chemistry to show on camera.
What else are we likely to see of you in the future?
Yeh Dil. It is a very realistic, violent story. If Kucch To Hai is like Dil Chahta Hai, Yeh Dil is like Lagaan. It is very artistically made, very realistic. No makeup in the film. All the songs have one change, no fantasies. It is my first intense love story.
I am also doing a film with Gracy Singh and Amrita Arora, where I play this mature executive.
I really want to do an out-and-out action film some day. I am just waiting for a chance.