Finding out he had Cancer:
“There was no time to react. I was shooting in Delhi. I was on the sixth day shoot of a new film, when my son (Ranbir Kapoor) and a close family associate came to Delhi, spoke to my producers and explained the problem. By evening, they got me to Mumbai and soon after, they flew me to New York. I had no time to react or introspect. My son literally forced me into the aircraft and flew here with me. The acceptance comes gradually.”
His Treatment and plans to be back by end of next month:
“People may wonder what I am doing in America for so long. I move around, eat, drink, shop and watch films. I can’t come home because I am bound by the hospital — I am under treatment and under observation. For me, this has taken great patience, else I would have left this place and come back to Mumbai a long time ago. The treatment requires you to behave a certain way. From one treatment to another, it takes weeks. That’s why I have been here for nine-and-a-half months. I am hoping to come back by the end of August. I have seen all four seasons of this city (New York).”
On the death of his Mother:
“That was very unfortunate. I left for the US on September 29, and my mother passed away on October 1. She knew that I had contracted a serious disorder. That entire period was traumatic for me. I was caught up with my problem. I didn’t know what to do, and I didn’t have an option because I had to be here in New York. My brother told me that by the time I would get back, it would be too late. Also, I didn’t have the stamina or strength to come back,” he said. Read more
On Movies:
"I have had a couple of blood transfusions, so I keep joking with my wife that my blood has been changed. I keep wondering if something has changed in me. I will definitely do the two films that I have committed to. One, that I left off in Delhi and the other is a remake of a huge Bengali hit film. It's a challenging role. The makers had come to see me here. I haven't said yes to anyone else yet. Once I get to know my plans and I get back to Mumbai, I want to relax for some days.
The senior actor is afraid that he has forgotten the art of acting. "Maybe, I have forgotten acting! I have never stayed away from the camera for such a long time in my life. This has never happened in the last 45 years, except for the time that I directed Aa Ab Laut Chalen (1999), which was also shot in New York. That was the year when I did not face the camera. The coincidence is eerie. It felt like deja vu. After giving a year to that film, I immediately did character roles in films like Raju Chacha (2000) and Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi (2001)," concluded the 66-year-old.
In the interview he also revealed he lost 26kg because he had no appetite while doing chemotherapy.
Anupamaa
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