'24 has been written in my destiny'

'24 has been a life-changing show for everyone, including me.'

Anil Kapoor discusses 24.

Anil Kapoor looked thrilled at the poster launch of the second season of his television show, 24.

The shooting for the show is yet to start, but the actor has already enlisted help from top cop Rakesh Maria as well as officials of RAW and CBI.

He tells Rediff.com contributor Rajul Hegde what to expect from the show, which will start next year:

What brings you back to 24, Season 2?

It has been a life-changing show for everyone, including me.

We have tried to make the show as real as we could. We need support for the show as it is something different... out-of-the-box.

We got lot of love and respect from people for this show. The creators of the show are very happy with the response we got in India for the first season.

You have grown a beard for 24. Will you miss out on films because of your new look?

When I had started the first season of 24, I had to sacrifice a few things. But one should not feel bad about that.

During the first season, I was offered a few films that I did not do because of the show. Then, the show got delayed and I could have easily done the films I had missed but I was committed to my work.

Now, with this 24 look, I cannot take anything up.

Actresses like Tabu and Urnila Matondkar are rumoured to be a part of this show. Is that true?

We will retain some characters and change others, as the story progresses. We are in talks with several actors but it is difficult to name anyone as nothing is finalised.
 
Will we see you hosting or judging any TV shows?

Hosting is not an easy job. I feel I am more cut out to do something like 24.

Every man should understand what’s their plus and minus points are.

24 has been written in my destiny.

It’s not that I don’t get offers to host or judge shows. It's just that I don't get attracted to them. 24 was the best way to start television.

Would you like your daughter Sonam to try her hand at fiction shows?

Yes, why not?

You never know, she may do 24 sometime. But she is not a part of this season.

Would you like to do a biopic someday?

I will do any ‘pic’ -- bio ho, cameo ho... If the story is good, the role is good and the money is good, I will do it.

What do you think about Sonam's pairing with Salman Khan in Prem Ratan Dhan Payo?

Both Salman and Sonam are extremely good looking.

Director Sooraj Bharjatya, Salman and Sonam believe in family values. There is a certain innocence that they have; a certain vulnerability. 

I think people will love the film. There is no better film release this Diwali. 

Your son Harshvardhan is making his acting debut Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Mirziyan. What advice have you given him?

I have told my son to stay focused on his work and to not think about success for the next 10 years.

Whether his films work or not, he should focus only working and shoots.