The Ranbir Kapoor confessions you haven't heard yet
Soft-spoken and thoughtful, Kapoor speaks candidly, with no apparent guard in place. "I think I could have an alcohol problem," he says, referring to his current shoot-less days. "It is a visual medium and I have to look after myself. I have seen it in my family, I have seen it go the wrong way, so I'm aware I have a drinking problem. When I shoot, when I work, I don't drink. But when I'm not shooting..." (For the record, the beverage of choice is a cold draught beer, though he'd "drink anything.")
He speaks of his ex-girlfriend warmly and without hesitation. He first mentions her when affectionately describing the loony Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani""It had simple storytelling, it had heart, and I also fell in love during that film, with Katrina""and later says the problem with having relationships written about is how often, and how conveniently, things are misconstrued. "Katrina, after my parents, has been the most inspiring and motivating factor in my life. Period. That is too dear to me and there is no explanation, there is nothing I can tell you about it. Nobody will understand it. And I don't want to sell it."
Now for something you wouldn't guess. Ranbir Kapoor, in his own words, is "a Sneaker Freaker." I'm not aware the term exists, but he's fanboyishly clued into the new kicks on the block, gleefully explaining how he always tries to buy two pairs""one to rock, one to stock""and how people with 200-plus pairs keep track. "You have your Monday-Friday rotations, plus I calculate," he elaborates, rather meticulous for a guy proud of not owning formal trousers. "I have a suit here and there, but my dressing is quite lazy, and kinda symbolises my personality. I am how I dress." A slacker? He grins. "I think I've graduated from that. I would probably say I'm... easy."
Besides sneakers and a New York Yankees baseball cap, his big security blanket is food. Ranbir Kapoor is currently dieting for Dragon. "This house is famous for my grandmother's food," he sighs. "She doesn't believe in the concept of a roti without ghee. The first week I came here, it was all paaya, junglee mutton... crazy stuff being made every day. Then my mother had to come and say, Listen, he is an actor. Let him get his own cook and have his own food.'" An adventurous eater, he rates crocodile meat as the softest, nicest meat he's tasted""like an interesting mix of fish and chicken""and, according to Karan Johar, Kapoor is the only actor who is completely at ease going for a meal by himself. "It's like no other movie star, ever," stresses Johar. "On his days off in London, he'd happily go off to eat a meal in a restaurant alone. He's that secure, that comfortable in his own company."
As we talk, Kapoor calls for shammi kebabs for me (he isn't allowed to eat them) and wolves down a few before I can take a bite. This man shouldn't doubt his hunger.
(Full IV not out yet 😆)
5