I felt like a fish out of water with konkona!'

He has five films coming up, but Ranbir says Wake Up Sid is his toughest role...

Ranbir Kapoor is only two-films old, but he is already being seen as the biggest star of the next generation. Over the telephone from Mumbai, the charming actor talks about his latest movie, Wake Up Sid, and rubbishes rumours about his love life...

How was it working for the first time with Konkona?

Her sincerity and passion are unparalleled and her talent is a gift of god. In certain scenes I felt like a fish out of water with her. It's tough to work with such a gifted actress.

Will young people be able to identify with your character in Wake Up Sid?

Sid lives in every home. The film is about waking up to one's dreams. It's about the fact that you can go beyond the perceived career choices and still be successful. Every person goes through the Sid phase at one point or the other. I also had my phase of only listening to music and thinking of nothing else.

Did you join films simply because you are a Kapoor?

There is no denying the fact that I come from a family that eats and breathes films and I think that it is a blessing that I am a Kapoor. I would also want to add that had my parents been doctors, I would still have become an actor because that is what I always wanted to be.

So many actors are playing Sikhs on screen these days, but you are the only person growing a beard for Rocket Singh... Why?

I wanted to make my character authentic. Shimit Amin is a very talented director and I did not want to leave any stone unturned to do justice to the role. Also sticking a beard with glue and shooting like that for hours is very uncomfortable. I preferred to grow a beard instead.

You have five films coming up – Wake Up Sid, Ajab Prem KI Ghazab Kahani, Rajneeti, Rocket Singh and Mera Jahan. Which has been the toughest role?

I would say Wake Up Sid. It's easy to say that there is a Sid in all of us but when I started playing the role of this 21-year-old guy who has so many sides to his character, I realised how difficult it was going to be.

Is balancing your relationship between mum and Deepika difficult, since they're rumoured not to get along?

That's completely untrue. Deepika is my girlfriend and my parents love her. I don't know why people keep saying they don't get along. I feel this especially harms the girl and her family. This is so derogatory and unnecessary.

Why are you and Deepika not being spotted in public?

She has been working non-stop and I have been very busy too. We are very sure about our relationship but at the same time we are very young and new in our careers, so we need to concentrate on our films too. Guess that's why you don't get to see us too often these days. We are working.

"Deepika is my girlfriend and my parents love her. I feel all these rumours are very harmful"

Ranbir's three secrets:

Your Sid trait:

I can just lie on my bed and keep staring at the ceiling for hours. It makes me feel very relaxed.

Worst scolding from mum:
Recently. She was sending me lunch with veggies and fruits, from home, and I was feeding it to some crew members.

A fixation:
My boxer shorts. They are very old now but I can't sleep without them.

"Ranbir shrieked and hid behind me!"

Konkona won't talk much – but she does reveal a secret...

Konkona Sen Sharma is clearly bored. She admits she hates doing interviews and insists she has no favourites – no fave director (apart from her mum, Aparna, of course), actor, movie, role… Not even a colour she particularly likes.

In a telephone chat from Mumbai, here's what she says (or doesn't say) about Ranbir, her personal life and the kind of roles she's happy to play.

On Ranbir:

He is a really, really talented actor. He should go very, very far.

On shooting for Wake Up Sid:

It was just regular shooting, you know. Okay, if you insist on knowing about something unusual, there was this one scene where we were going to an old building and all these pigeons suddenly flew into the air. Ranbir shrieked and ran to hide behind me. It was very funny!

On her personal life:

I prefer to live it away from the media. Some people are comfortable talking about their lives, others are not. You should respect the individual's choice.

On the roles she wants to play:

I'm open to all kinds of roles, but they have to be substantial. Luckily, I don't get offered just pretty-pretty characters.

On her dream day off:

Wake up at 2pm, watch movies, play board games with friends, read… and eat. I have the best cook in the world!

https://www.masala.com/15171-i-felt-like-a-fish-out-of-water-with-konkonaq