People think I don't smile much: Harshvardhan Kapoor

Harshvardhan Kapoor's first film might not have worked at the box-office but the actor has got what he wanted the most (recognition). He admittedly has a different taste in cinema and he wants to follow a certain given path.

In this interview, Harsh gets candid about the different perceptions people have of him and we realise that even at 25, he's got a great understanding of world cinema. Excerpts from our conversation...

You have a different sensibility towards cinema. Comment.

I think it's happening also because the audiences' sensibilities are evolving, especially the urban audience. I also think there are many Indias within India itself. For example, the India we know in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru are somewhere privileged in a way. And I'm only talking about the middle class culture. I am talking about the audience who has an internet connection and is exposed to all kinds of cinema from across the world. I'm lucky that today, we are a youth dominated society and a lot of those kids cannot afford to pay '100-200 to watch our films and they end up downloading stuff. All I'm trying to say is even if a film does business of 30, 40 or even 60 crore, you won't know how far it has reached. Somebody might be downloading it on torrents or watching it on pirated DVDs which is sad but then again, at least you are trying to reach those people. I guess it's a really good time for somebody like me to be an actor because I have been lucky enough to be flexible in my choices.

How much does the box-office play a role in your choices then?

That's a good question! I am not just targetting the youth. Talking about the box-office, I feel you can't say yes to a film thinking about what the Friday is going to be. When you do a Rohit Shetty film or even a sequel, there's a certain surety that at least, the film will start.

Then the film will speak for itself. For example, Chennai Express is a better film in my opinion than Dilwale. It will do more numbers but even Dilwale, despite it not being a great film will do good numbers. That's a given. ABCD is a successful franchise. So you already have the fans wanting to watch ABCD 2. Same for Rock On! Sometimes, there are safer choices you can make. That's correct. But then again, you never know how the film will be received.

Anil sir told me you always say that you look better than him...

(Laughs) Did he tell you that? No, no! What rubbish he's been telling. (Smiles) How can I say that?

He also said you don't listen to him at all...

That's true. Maybe in terms of choices, I don't and that's what he was trying to say.

Sonam and Rhea are brazen and honest. Are you like them too?

Absolutely. I think I am very outspoken and honest. It's mainly because of the way we have been brought up. I hope people don't misinterpret that honesty and misuse that for a story. Especially if it's about lineage, it makes for an interesting read but I'm not mean or rude. In all the interviews that I have had till now, I really pride myself in being honest and giving the person a little insight about me. And the people who are going to read it. What's the point of being diplomatic and repeating what people have been saying for the past 10 years? How will people then realise who you are? I have done 100 interviews. 90 of them might be received positively and 10 might have a spin on it. I am going to live with that. I am not going to change who I am. People who will start understanding me will start liking me a lot then. For some people, I will always be misunderstood but at the end of the day, it will always be about the work you do, the films you choose. As an individual, I believe in honesty and complete transparency. If I want to be comfortable in an interview, I don't see a reason why I should not. I'm liking this interview so I would definitely want to make this more personal.

Belonging to a heavyweight lineage, people will always feel you got it easy. But do you think it's more difficult for you guys because of the pressure of performing as well as others in the family?

Whether you come from a film family or not, people will only do what they want to. You don't have to do anything you don't want to. I don't really take any pressure. Because people will see that I am very different from Sonam or dad. Then the difference between us would be the talking point. It will only happen with time. I can't prove everybody wrong with one film.

Are you averse to doing masala films?

(On reminding him he said he would never do an Anees Bazmee film) I should not say these things anymore now. (Smiles) What would you call a masala film? Tell me something. Do mindless masala films do big numbers because of big stars in them? Well, I am not a star. I can't see myself doing something like that soon. But to answer, I would also add that Shah Rukh and Salman are great thinkers. They are better than all of us combined together. I think they have a connect with that kind of cinema. They came at a different time. In the 80s and 90s that cinema was reigning. It still is but also they veer towards those films because they have grown up watching those films. The kind of audience they connect with also enjoys watching them in that space. Maybe Aamir doesn't do it so much because he doesn't connect with that. I don't necessarily go to a cinema hall to watch those films. So that's why maybe, I have a different thought process.

You're a Netflix guy, aren't you?

(Smiles) Trust me when I say this. 18 to 22 " these years shape your life. These are the years you need to make yourself the person you want to be for the rest of your life. I studied in LA so that was a huge influence on me for sure. I love how you called me the Netflix guy. That's very well put. Also, I watch a lot of TV series but I'm a proper cinema guy. I have been to Toronto three years in the last four years. TIFF is the best three weeks of the year for me because I love watching all the films from all across the globe. Then again, I am a Juhu boy so I love watching all our films too. I am trying to blend it. The good thing is that I am super upgraded with everything around me. I love the contemporary style of filmmaking. I like some classics like Godfather. But there are classics I have to be really patient enough to sit through. Have you seen The Graduate? Or maybe even Parinda, you can still see today. But Meri Jung will get on your nerves. I believe old is great but it has to stand the test of time.

Do you think being different creates a different perception about you in audiences' mind?

I think it already has. People think I am very serious. People think I don't laugh or smile much. Reporters have also written about me being mean or disinterested in talking. It's not that. As I said, I think a lot and that gets misconstrued at times. I read an article recently and I thought it was disgusting. I had been giving interviews for eight hours so when this group of journalists came, I sat with my legs up because they finally gave me a sofa to sit on. I just wanted to be comfortable but that soon became headline news. I can't roam around for 12 hours everyday with a plastered smile on my face. If you make me smile, I'll smile. I am smiling throughout this interview.

Did that affect you?

Not at all. I know who I am. I know I didn't do it to disrespect anyone sitting there. And the way it was written that I put my leg on a chair in front of the journos, it's wrong. Instead, you won't believe I thought that group interview was my best interview that day. It's sad that somebody will use you to build their stories but that's only going to happen more now. I think unlike other actors, I answer everything and I give really lengthy, elaborate answers. Like you can ask me anything and I will answer. I want all my interviews to be more like friendly conversations.