Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif are doing all they can to promote their film Raajneeti. The political drama directed by Prakash Jha releases on June 4.
So what can we expect from the movie? Ranbir goes first. Excerpts:
Katrina is speaking chaste Hindi in the movie. Do you think she succeeded?
I think she has done a fantastic job.
You play a character with grey shades in the film. At the same time you're seen romancing Katrina...
I play Pratap who is not interested in politics at all. At some point in the film, politics sucks him into its world. I am not playing a villainous or negative role. When you watch the film you will see the reasons behind everything I do. There is a purpose behind everybody's negativity. You will discover it yourself when you watch the film.
We have seen you play the lover boy and boy-next-door kinds of roles. But here you essay a more matured role. How was the experience playing Pratap?
I am glad I got this opportunity to play a role like this so early in my career. It wasn't a conscious decision to shift gears and do a role like this. Tomorrow, if I get a romantic role and if I like it, I will do it. I am only glad that I got to work with such a great cast and director.
Do you feel any sense of competition or pressure working with such an ensemble cast?
No. We all played our parts as honestly as possible. We all believed in the movie. And it wasn't about one person. There were a lot of beautiful relationships formed during the making of this film. I just played my part as honestly as possible.
Given a chance, would you enter politics?
Honestly, I have no interest in politics. My field is only movies. I think our politicians are very capable and have worked very hard to get here. All we can do is support them if their ideologies match with ours.
Do you think politics prevails in Bollywood?
No. I want to believe that the industry is very good to each other and nobody will even think twice before appreciating another actor or director's work.
How was it working with Nana Patekar?
He is like family to me. He has worked with my father and is very fond of me. I love him too. He used to make dinner for us every night. He would discuss his films with us. It wasn't like he was teaching us or showing that he is senior. He was very friendly.
Katrina on her role:
I play a girl who goes through a very difficult journey. I start out as a young, immature and spoilt girl who realises that she can't always get what she wants in life. She experiences her share of disappointments and rejections. All these help her to be more mature.
As an actor it is amazing for me to go through a graph like that.
How did you prepare for the role? Were you inspired by anyone?
I didn't need any role model. I simply tried to understand what my character was going through. For the part where I join politics, Prakashji gave me videos but that was just to understand the body language. If I were to play a journalist, it doesn't mean I will copy one. I simply observe one's nuances.
Are you open to doing more women-oriented films?
That is what I like about this film. Though I am not the main protagonist, my role is a strong one. My character here is strongwilled. If she wants something, she just goes for it.
Is it true that you were apprehensive to do the film initially?
No. When I got a call from Prakashji, I told him that his movies were different from the ones I usually do. I have seen his Apaharan and Gangajal and loved them but didn't know if I would fit in. But when I heard the script, I instantly said yes.
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