Indian Actor Talks About ‘The Night Manager’, And More

Indian actor Anil Kapoor is one of the most energetic, charismatic and talented Bollywood stars in the country who has been around for four decades now. As his new show The Night Manager releases on Disney+ Hotstar over the weekend, he talks about adapting the 2016 British series in Hindi, and his career; in this exclusive interview. The actor also shares the philosophy behind being energetic all the time, in this exclusive interview.

Asked about playing a grey character in the new show, Kapoor says he has mostly essayed positive and conventionally good roles so it was an exciting challenge for him to play a grey character. Talking about Hugh Laurie’s portrayal of Richard Roper (the main antagonist in the original British show), he adds that the Indian adaptation is that of a show that is legendary and has had a great impact, much like 24 (Kapoor featured in the Indian adaptation of the American crime drama in 2013). “For me, to fill in the shoes of Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland’s character in original 24) was daunting. For me, it was very challenging because Jack Bauer is almost like James Bond for television. When I do Jack Bauer or Richard Roper, it would not be the same. We (the three actors) are all different personalities.”

Kapoor also says that adaptations often take in the socio-political scenario and culture of the new space, and therefore are different from original work. “We look different, we have different faces and personalities. I have always done characters that are on the right side of the society. Also, I am huge fan of Hugh Laurie. I had to be more careful, I had seen the show and he was huge inspiration for me. I tried my best to do what I could do, with the help of our crew. Hopefully, people will not be disappointed by my rendition of Roper.” Kapoor’s character in The Night Manager is called Shailendra Rungta aka Shelly.

During the making of his new show, Kapoor was the one to suggest his character should also play golf. “Yeah, golf was my idea. I had earlier trained a little bit for Dil Dhadakne Do (Zoya Akhtar’s 2015 Hindi film). Acting and sports require regular practice, so I had to get back at it and train myself a bit again. That was a fun part of being Rungta – playing golf.”

Kapoor also says he was the most experienced one on sets while working on The Night Manager. “I had a little bit of more experience than the other team members of The Night Manager. (It was) kind of ‘been-there-done-that’ (feeling). I had the experience of 24, and I ensured that I used all the good things that I learnt there. I ensured to not repeat mistakes I did there. There would be times when they (producers) would make schedules and I would suggest they should get realistic and avoid aiming for too many scenes in a single day.”

“I assured them we’d extend and finish in time. We’d sometimes shoot for 16-18 hours straight. Other actors were not so used to it, and would get tired. Most of the times, I was also exhausted. But, I would not show it (my exhaustion). Watching me with all that energy, the other actors also never dared to ask for shorter schedules. I share my suggestions during table reads, and I try and focus on doing my character when on the sets. That is where the director, the writer, and other members come in.”

Kapoor first had a taste of international success when he featured in an important role in Danny Boyle’s 2008 film on Indian slums in Mumbai, Slumdog Millionnaire. Elaborating on how the world has changed Slumdog Millionnairre to RRR (SS Rajamouli’s latest film that has won accolades across the globe and also bagged an Oscar nomination), Kapoor says, “After Slumdog Millionnaire, actors are seen differently. With AmazonAMZN
NetflixNFLX
and Disney+ , writers and directors can now see the work of actors from across the globe and a lot of Indian actors have been cast in international projects.”

“For RRR, the music connected well, and RRR is like the spectacle and musical…the kind of film which Ben Hur and Ten Commandments (were) – great looking films and with great music. A combination of old musicals and visually spectacular films like Sound Of Music and Gone With The Wind. Somewhere RRR has done that with less technology. The technology is there (in the new Indian film), and it is also used very well but it is not the same. You just have to keep on making films which you believe in, with total conviction. Try your best to make a good film and leave the rest to the audience.”

He also shares that he hopes to be as energetic and hungry for his work as he always is. “How do I evolve, with every film? The Night Manager was different experience as I was working with a young team. When working with the young, you see their point, listen to them and evolve. That is what I have always done. I also try to stay mentally and physically fit, otherwise evolving becomes difficult. The key is to be fit, energetic, positive and hungry for every committment and project. (I always) pray to God that I should have the same hunger and excietement everyday as I step out of the house for a some work. I do not want to get a feeling that I have been there and done that. I have always been a student of cinema. If they (young makers) do not reach out, I reach out to them and tell them how keen I am to work with them. That is what I have done, and that is what I will do. I want to keep working in all kinds of genres, with different filmmakers and, in different parts of the world.”

“And, I am also blessed with three kids who are three different people – three different personalities with three different takes to filmmaking. Harshvardhan Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor are actors, but both have different views on cinema. Rhea Kapoor has her different sensibilities as a producer. I listen to them and get to learn so much from my children and that is the way I evolved. Hopefully I continue to evolve in the future,” Kapoor signs off.

(This conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity)