Screen Exclusive: Dimple Kapadia gets candid about films,family

If one were to describe Dimple Kapadia in one word it would be ‘captivating’. And that’s how she looks when you are ushered in for a chat with her on her upcoming release What The Fish. It’s not easy to get an interview with the beautiful actress as she generally shuns any kind of Q and A. But when she does relent,Kapadia is refreshingly forthright. She rarely shies away from any question. A life that has been much chronicled — right from the time she had the audience under her spell with her debut in Bobby,a whirlwind marriage to superstar Rajesh Khanna,her comeback into films after a decade with Saagar and several award-winning films in her almost three-decade old career. If she played the typical Hindi film heroine in commercial films like Jaanbaaz and Allah Rakha,she also ushered in the new kind of woman on screen with Saagar,Rudali,Kaash,Being Cyrus etc.

Her upcoming film,What The Fish will see the intense actress trying her hand at comedy,where she plays as the 60 plus Sudha Mishra replete with specs,neck collar and a grim expression. She’s quite tickled to be part of a comedy and can’t wait to see the audience reaction to her film. In a freewheeling chat,the actress in her characteristic candidness opens up about her new film,her grandson,her daughter,son-in-law and more.

Since you do such few films now,what was that one thing that attracted you to What The Fish?

The story was unique. The film had many stories running parallel and there were a lot of layers in the narrative. I loved my character Sudha Mishra. Though at first glance I thought it was a difficult character and had doubts about pulling it off. But Gurmmeet Singh,the director,requested me to do it saying that he would help me in the portrayal. But frankly,he didn’t have to push me much as I was dying to do the role.

So what kind of a person is Sudha?

Sudha has had to deal with something traumatic in her life,so she’s formed a hard exterior where she doesn’t let anyone else into her life. She loves to poke her nose in everything though. And if she does not like something,maybe the way a young boy or girl is behaving,she will step in and try to correct him or her. Other than that,her life revolves around her fish and her money plant; she sings and talks to them. They are her only company so she’s gone slightly whacko; her reality is different from what is happening around her. if I had to describe her in a few words — she’s a drama queen. I can say it was very challenging to display such traits.

After having worked with Raj Kapoor,one of the greatest directors of our times in the past,what was it like to work with a new director like Gurmmeet Singh?

Raj saab (Raj Kapoor) was a genius. He would tell an actor how to walk,how to talk,how to stand and also,how to look. That is the kind of direction I was used to. After that I didn’t work for 10 years,and when I started working again there was this whole Madras formula films being made,which had four songs,four action scenes and all the director did was say ‘action’ and ‘cut’.

Today there’s a whole new generation that is passionate about their work like old timers like Guru Dutt and Mehboob Khan; they actually sit down and work on the characters. A director is not there to say ‘action’ and ‘cut’,he is there to direct the actor to play the role the way he sees it,and that is the way these new directors are. It’s a huge asset for any actor today to be working with them. I was very,very happy working with Guru (Gurmmeet).

How do you deal with aggressive film promotions like going to malls,reality shows on television etc.,which was not there earlier?

Actors today have been reduced to vegetable vendors,who scream to sell their wares. While vendors say ‘Meri bhaaji lelo’,we scream ‘Meri picture dekh lo’. Having said that I personally don’t believe in it. As an audience myself,I decide which film I want to see depending on the promo. If I like a promo,I will see the film but if promo hi bakwaas laga then however much it is promoted,I will not go and watch a film. Having said that,I must say this kind of promotion is working for the producers and that’s why I am doing it. Earlier we had so many golden jubilees,now the first week determines the business of a film. It’s not about a hit or a flop film,it’s about recovering the money and making profits.

What prompted you to have a screening of What The Fish for Rishi Kapoor and your grandson,Aarav?

I thought it would be nice to get reactions from two different generations.I already knew Aarav’s reaction because he had seen the poster and was very excited. He was like,‘Naani I can suggest some some marketing ideas!’ He saw potential in the film and that was the biggest compliment.

Does Aarav discuss movies with you?

Oh yes,he discusses everything. In fact I want him to see my late husband Rajesh Khanna’s Haathi Mere Saathi for sure. I think he will love it. But I have to get him to sit down,as kids today want to watch their own CDs. They lead their own lives and it’s difficult to pin him down to watch his Nana’s film. But I really want him to see it because I know he will enjoy it.

Why are you so selective with your films?

I don’t think I have the luxury of being choosy as I need to work and earn a living. But still I do all this nonsense,asking the producer how many days it will take to shoot,where we will shoot etc. and a haan -naa keeps happening. But if the person is persuasive the film will happen,otherwise chances are slim.

Sharmila Tagore recently mentioned that there are no roles for senior actresses today. Do you also feel the same way?

No,I don’t believe that. There are always roles for actors. Good examples are Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil who used to play wonderful characters. They may not have done mainstream cinema then,but even today these roles are not in the commercial films. It cannot be as mainstream cinema is ruled by youngsters. But the audience wants a change today. They want to see different types of cinema,which has opened a whole new world for us actors. We now get to play exciting characters.

You’ve often show inclination for serious roles. How was it doing a comedy like What The Fish?

Tell me who doesn’t like a good laugh. And that’s what life is all about,a good laugh. Comedy is what I like to watch,but not necessarily what I can do. I can always try.

So what do you like to watch?

Mad films like Padosan and Laurel And Hardy. Or even the American fantasy drama Game Of Thrones,which is really bizarre. I find that exciting. I feel cinema has to be a fantasy world; you should lose yourself in it. If it is going to be real,then reality is already present everywhere,around you. You don’t need to go to the cinema for that. You go to cinema for an experience. As a kid,my father used to take us children to the theatre,which was an experience and I feel cinema should be that too. When the crowd reacts it’s a different experience altogether. You can’t replicate that or have as much fun at home.

Any director you have on your wish list?

At the cost of sounding pompous,I think I have worked with the best. I worked with Zoya and Farhan Akhtar,Homi Adajania,Rahul Dholakia and now Gurmmeet.

Who do you like among the younger lot of actors?

Among the younger lot,I like Ranbir Kapoor and am totally taken up by Deepika Padukone. She’s haunting me. I was mesmerised by her beauty at the shooting of Finding Fanny and I was staring at her all the time. I wondered what she must be thinking,so I went up to her and told her that I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I also told that she’s gorgeous and a very good actor. I also like Salman Khan. He’s adorable.

Akshay (Kumar) has often spoken of you very highly as an actor. What is your relationship like with him?

We share a cool relationship,which I really treasure. He’s mad and so am I,so we get along very well. Yesterday while I was getting into the car,I said hello to my daughter (Twinkle) and her friend,so he came around and said,‘Mere ko hello nahin bola.’

How do you view his work?

I like his work and enjoy watching all his films. Most of his films are comedy and he’s good at it. I go to the theatre to watch films with him and discuss projects with him. He keeps telling me that I need to work more.

Both your daughters Twinkle and Rinkie are longer doing films. Would you have liked them to continue acting?

Not at all. I don’t miss myself on screen,why will I miss my daughters.

How is your candle business?

It’s doing well and I keep adding new things,but my stuff is still exclusive. I sell from Twinkle’s store. Actually she’s the business person,she’s the one who has got the Gujarati blood. I used to make candles at home and she said,‘Let’s market them’. Then she went into interiors and made that into a business. Now she’s writing a column and is thinking of writing a book.

You have been through a personal crisis lately.

Well I had been through a difficult patch since the last six years. I lost my right hand— my sister Simple (Kapadia),then I lost my brother and I lost Kakaji (Rajesh Khanna). All of them were very,very important part of my life. And I feel abandoned,truly abandoned. What keeps me going is when I see my mother. She’s lost three of her four children and I am the only kid alive,but she’s like a rock of Gibraltar. If she had to crack up,I would crack up. And then I also have my grandchildren,my nephew and all these lovely people around me. I have to march on.

There were a lot of controversies surrounding your late husband.

That happens with every great person,a price one has to pay. All his dues were paid by people who mattered to him,and who created him. The farewell they gave him was so touching. There cannot be a greater tribute than that.

How do you remember him?

What I saw of Kakaji was a man of extreme inner strength. There was no fear. He knew he was dying,but there was no fear of death. He was not a burden on anyone emotionally. He lived normally till his last days,so it’s very difficult to follow that. But one can aspire to be like him. And yes,there is no museum going to be set up in his memory.

geety.sahgal@expressindia.com