| Thank God when I meet Ram Kapoor on the sets of Kasamh Se, he's not in Jai Walia mode. At least he's not dressed like his screen ego. No boring suits or shiny kurtas, in fact he's wearing an olive green striped T-shirt over jeans.
Tall, dark and handsome – looking at Kapoor, it's easy to know why two sisters have been fighting, scheming and pining for all his attention in the Zee prime time show.
Add to that a powerful voice, a disarming smile and the tag of Ekta Kapoor's favourite actors (she went on record on Koffee with Karan on how Ram is the best compared to her other favourites, Ronit Roy and Hiten Tejwani) makes the star-actor one of the current hot properties of the small screen. Yeah, a touch of arrogance too, may be that comes from his self-confidence.
Ever since Ekta cast Kapoor as Jai Walia, the brooding, intense, angry, passionate businessman in Kasamh Se, his stock has risen. A couple of best actor awards, critical acclaim and immense female fan following has only added to his persona.
So does he feel like a star now considering he was always a decent actor? He is visibly embarrassed by the question. He pauses before saying, "I never wanted to be a star.
I wanted to be known as an actor. To me, the image of a star is something else. To me a star is a Shah Rukh Khan, a Hrithik Roshan or a Tom Cruise. I am not a star."
Doesn't he get mobbed or asked to sign autographs? "Well I do and honestly it feels great. After all, these are things every actor strives for, love and appreciation from the audience, but I still wouldn't call myself a star," he begs off.
On screen he is an intense, serious, virtuous guy, mouthing heavy-duty lines. How is he off screen? "I make friends easily. I love having fun on the sets.
I am a huge prankster and I think when you are working so hard, you need to make yours and the lives of your co-actors and the crew pleasant… you can't move around with a long face."
Television is a lot of hard work. When does he play? He smiles, "I don't. There's no time and frankly I am past that stage when I need to hit a disc or go out with my friends for parties. I would rather be with my family.
"I have had my share of fun; I have done wild, crazy things like sneaking out with my dad's car, gathering all my friends, taking them for a spin. I have been reckless, been there and done that.
I think every guy goes through that phase at some point or the other. I don't miss having fun because right now I want to work, work and work some more, make money etc."
Ask him if he has an image to protect and he laughs, "No, nothing like that. If I want to have fun, I will go ahead and have it. Never cared for an image… I prefer being myself, simple and easy."
The current television scene is not exactly exciting for actors like him. What keeps him going? "Well, it's tough but I enjoy playing Jai Walia. I have developed that character over two years.
I change my lines often because I feel I really know how Jai will think, behave, act etc. so I ensure that the spontaneity and the spirit of the character remain.
It's for an actor to find that one scene, that one moment and make his own and for that you need to love what you are doing." And on that note, he signs off. PS: Just as we are leaving we can't help but overhear a conversation between Kapoor and one of the writers of the show.
She's trying hard to convince him to sing a lori in one of the scenes while he politely but firmly refuses to sing it unless he's written it himself.
His logic being: "I know Jai wouldn't sing that. It won't come from his heart." For Ram Kapoor, it really seems to be all about loving your character. |
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