Ram Kapoor Chat transcript India Times

Transcript of LIVE INDIATIMES CHAT with TV actor, Ram Kapoor at 12 noon (IST) on Monday, July 17, 2006, in Mumbai

"I have become a faster performer which is what television requires."

Ram Kapoor
TV actor

Jiyadharak> I recently read about your illness and I hope you are feeling better. It is great to see that you are dedicated to your work, even in such sickness and in the presence of your newborn.
Ram Kapoor> My health was pretty bad last week but I didn't had a choice. Had to work because of pressures involved in the medium I am working in. I am totally fine right now. Thank for being so concern.

Jiyadharak> How do you feel after becoming a daddy?
Ram Kapoor> Its one of the most amazing feelings a man ever feel which is difficult to describe in words. It's a mix of happiness, nervousness, fear and an extreme sense of responsibility.

Aparna> Kasamh Se has a very high viewer ship that is increasing every day. What do you attribute that to?
Ram Kapoor> I think first of all to Balaji telefilms. They really know what they are doing. Secondly to the hard working team of Ksamh Se . All the way to the directors, to the actors, to the spot boy, everybody is very dedicated.

Karinab> How did you get into television and how did Kasam Se fall into your lap?
Ram Kapoor> Well I got into in TV when I first came back to India from Los Angels in the year 1999. Mr Sudhir Mishra cast me in Nyay, a serial he was doing at that time. That was my start on TV. Kasam se was offered to me because I have worked with Balaji five years back when I did Ghar ek Mandir .

Sweetagurl4ver> We heard your going to be starting in a film soon. How will you continue to do Kasam se ?
Ram Kapoor> As of now my hands are full with Kasam se . So for the next few months I will not be able to do any film.

Suku> Ram what do you like most about your character 'Jai Walia' ?
Ram Kapoor> I like the fact that he is very strong and that there is a lot of realism in his character. He has both the shades good and bad in him.

Indu> You have acted both in films as well as television. What would you say is a big difference between these two platforms?
Ram Kapoor> There is a world of difference between Films and TV in terms of acting. In films you have the luxury of time so you can really get inside your character and try and work in a lot more detail where as in TV, it is exactly the opposite because you are always fighting against time in.

Rrk> How do you rate yourself as an Actor?
Ram Kapoor> I rate myself an average or may be an above average actor. I am not as versatile as I would like to be. I think I need a lot of growing to do as an artist.

Cempaka> Do you give any input as to the storyline and the development of your character in the serial?
Ram Kapoor> We do not have time to discuss story line at all on the sets. But I keep fine tuning the character along with the help from my director and the creative team.

Hiphop> As an actor how have you progressed since your 'Ghar Ek Mandir' days?
Ram Kapoor> Well my confidence level are higher and I have gotten more familiar with the pressures of television. Therefore I have become a faster performer which is what television requires.

Ayesha> Does 'Jai Waila' and you have any commons things?
Ram Kapoor> I too can be very good at times and very bad at times like Jai Walia.

Irumnaz> Where do you see Indian television at this time? What is its future?
Ram Kapoor> Indian television is booming right now. Six years back when there was nothing much happening. I think this is just the beginning. Indian television is going to explode in the next five to seven years and will become a lot like American TV.

Jiyadharak> Jai Walia has become such a big success, with the "salt and pepper" look doing especially well with the female audience. Did you expect that or did it come as a nice surprise?
Ram Kapoor> I was not expecting this kind of response. It has surely come like a very nice surprise.

Caitlyn> You seem very confident, where does your confidence stem from and would you say confidence is essential for success?
Ram Kapoor> Sometimes the confidence is a faade. Since I have studied method acting from LA it has helped me in my work. But as an actor I have to very careful because over confident can be a death for an actor.

Ayesha> How is it being with your co-stars on sets and who is your favorite. Please don't say it's Pushkar!
Ram Kapoor> It has been a fantastic experience working with my co-stars. I am surrounded by a lot of young and fresh talent and they bring a lot of energy on sets. In terms of my favorite I would have to say it is Bani (Prachi Desai). Considering she is just seventeen years old, she is phenomenally mature for her age.

Ramfanterifan> Would ten or twenty year leap in kasam se appeal to you? What if it requires compromise in Jai Walia's character?
Ram Kapoor> A fast forward does not mean compromise in Jai Walia's character in any way. I am already playing a character much older than myself. I have always believed that an actor needs to do all kinds of work rather than just being his self. So whether it's a twenty year leap or forty year leap, it makes no difference.

Pandoh> Why is method acting not very popular in India as compared to US?
Ram Kapoor> This is a very deep question which requires a long answer. Method actors tend to get in to too much detail and ask way too many questions and that's not really appreciated in our Indian industry and especially not in TV.

Pinku> Hi Ram! The members at www.indiaforums.com really appreciate your fabulous acting and they really love you and are all just fida on you. We would definitely like you to visit us as often as possible. Do you have any special message for your fans?
Ram Kapoor> Thank you so much. It is very humbling to hear this kind of response from all of you. A compliment from a fan is the best compliment an actor can get. Because of this overwhelming response, I feel like working harder and harder. I will definitely try and visit India forums.

Rhabia> Is there anyone you idolize?
Ram Kapoor> My inspirations have all come from the west and other method actors. Number one on my list would be Robert Dinerio. And here in India I would have to say Aamir Khan for the versatility that he shows.

Sign off Message> Thank you so much for all your questions. It's been a pleasure talking to all of you. Since I have no more time I promise to be back as soon as possible for another chat session. Love Ram.