'He Took Me Under His Wing'RK

'He took me under his wing'
Ranbir Kapoor on the relationship he shares with Salman Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, his chacha Rajiv Kapoor and Sanjay Bhansali
By: Subhash K Jha

Ranbir Kapoor has a lot riding on his head. As Saawariya's release approaches, he has huge butterflies in his stomach. The promos have done their magic. Ranbir, who turned 25 on September 28, is being looked on as India's new youth icon.

Mukesh's grandson Neil made his debut recently. The competition looks tough.
Neil is a dear family friend. He's extremely talented. I'm hoping we work together some time. Every year, there's exciting new talent coming in. The call of the day is to be focused on your work. Every time I am compared with someone else, I get a bit thrown off.

Are you insecure about the competition?
Right now, I'm too nervous to even think about the competition. I've worked hard on Saawariya.

How do you react to all the stories linking you with various women?
Honestly, I used to feel really bad. I got really scared of stepping out to even go to the gym. I wondered… the guy they were writing about who misbehaved in public… was that really me? Call me ugly if you want. But please don't judge my morals and my behaviour because you don't know me. My mom and dad make it a point to talk to me and explain all this is part of the game. But still, I do cringe when something embarrassing is written about me.

You think they've got a wrong image of you?
I am not portraying myself as Jesus Christ. But let them judge me as an actor before getting into my personal life.

What are your flaws?
I'm very self-critical. There's a lack of self-confidence. I've set very high standards for myself, I've Raj Kapoor as my idol. I want to achieve everything he has achieved and I actually feel Sanjay Leela Bhansali is the inheritor of the RK mantle. I feel so blessed. I'm such a fan of Raj Kapoor's films and aspire to be like him.

Your mother says there's a filmmaker lurking in you?
Oh yes, I'm very interested in making a film. I don't know when I'll do it. But I'm jotting down my ideas all the time, though I'm not much of a writer.

She also says you're always observing your own expressions.
Not self-consciously. But yes, I do study human behaviour very closely.

If you had to be in one of your father's remakes, which would it be?
It'd have to be Nasir Husain's Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai. That's the first time I saw his comic timing. Karz? I'm too in awe of Karz. I don't think anyone can equal his performance there.

You're coming on the same day when Deepika Padukone makes her debut?
I'm also looking forward to Om Shanti Om because of Shah Rukh Khan. He is a source of inspiration. Deepika is friend of mine, though I haven't been in touch with her for some months. She's going to do well for herself.

It was said that Sanjay Bhansali prevented your rapport with Deepika from developing.
Sir is like my parents. They never interfere with my life, neither does he. Sir allowed me to grow as a human being.

And your father?
I'm a big fan of my dad and my chacha Rajiv Kapoor - I'm very close to him. He's worth a lot more than Prem Granth. And one day he'll prove it.

Whom would you like to work with?
Hrithik Roshan, Akshaye Khanna, my father and mother. Salman Khan has been really encouraging from day one, and took me under his wing. He advised me as a friend, not only as an actor, but about my personal life. Abhishek Bachchan has also been very supportive, he always sends encouraging messages.