How do you think you've done?
I think I've done really well. I can't compare myself with anyone, but on a personal level I think I've done a very good job.
You've worked before on Black, as an assistant to Bhansali. And now you're his leading man. How different are things?
I don't think there's much of a difference, because I was learning then and am still learning now. He's given me and Sonam a lot of love. He's imparted a lot of knowledge about cinema, and about life, to us. And we're just grateful to him for giving us such a big opportunity and launching us in such a big way. It was always a dream to work under him and my dream came true, so I'll always be thankful to him. I just hope and wish that he continues to love me as much as he does right now.
Assuming you won't tell us too many specifics about the character before the movie is out, is the character a lot like you?
Yes. The character's name is Ranbir Raj, which happens to be my grandfather's real name, his name was Ranbir Raj Kapoor. There are a lot of things, a lot of character traits which are very personal. There are conscious tributes, like the name, made by Mr Bhansali to my family and my grandfather. It's a happy-go-lucky character, there's a lot of inspiration taken from Charlie Chaplin and Raj Kapoor. If the character from Shree 420 was alive today, he would be this character.
Also read: Saawariya's Ranbir and Sonam