Ranbir plans to revive RK banner

Ranbir plans to revive RK banner

The Saawariya actor will direct a film after two years; work on script in progress
Subhash K Jha
hitlist@mid-day.com

The RK banner, which has been dormant for the past eight years, will be revived. Saawariya actor Ranbir Kapoor plans to carry the legacy ahead and direct a film for his family's production house. But his directorial debut will be nothing like the projects that have emerged so far from the RK stable.
"My film, which I'll definitely direct within the next two years, will be very cool and contemporary. It will convey concern for the value system that my grandfather's cinema represented. It would be neither too airy nor too heavy-handed entertaining but relevant."
Unknown to his parents (Rishi and Neetu Kapoor) Ranbir has been working on a script for the past two years. "I have many ideas. I think there has been a director lurking inside me from even before the actor in me surfaced. I've watched all my grandfather's films over and over again. And I know what I want to do."
That's all (for now)
At the moment, Ranbir isn't revealing more about his directorial plans. "It will be for our family banner. I'd like to cast my father in it alongside me."
The last film from the RK banner was Ranbir's dad Rishi Kapoor's Aa Ab Laut Chalen in 1999. Rishi's elder brother Randhir Kapoor completed his father Raj Kapoor's Indo-Pak dream project Henna in 1991. Ranbir's younger uncle Rajiv Kapoor made Prem Granth in 1997.
"Both my uncles and my father have done the banner proud," says Ranbir who is specially fond of his Rajiv chacha. "He dotes on me, gives me the most expensive gifts at the drop of a hat. I think Prem Granth was a film way ahead of its time."
Ranbir returned from a promotional tour of Saawariya in Ahmedabad over the weekend. "At one particular theatre, there were at least 2,000 people. But all the excitement for Saawariya doesn't make me nervous at all. In fact, my parents are worried why I'm not nervous. I finally saw my film the other day. All I can say is, I'm glad I was launched by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. I wouldn't have preferred any other banner, not even RK Films."
Ranbir defines his besotted lover boy's role in Saawariya as akin to Roberto Benigni in Life Is Beautiful. "My character is constantly trying to bring a smile to people's faces. I like that. I've a weakness to make people happy. I want everyone to like me."
Post Saawariya, he says he is "waiting for other producers to sign him and Sonam together. But the heroine with whom I'd like to be paired is Madhuri Dixit. She's my dream woman."