Rishi Kapoor is known for speaking out his mind. The veteran actor never shies away from talking about or against anything or anyone.
In an interview with a leading daily, Rishi Kapoor opened up about actors, superstars, stardom and the way Hindi film industry is changing.
About the films, Kapoor said, "I've always believed that films should be heavy on content, which is why I have acted in so many, during my time. Prem Rog (1982), Damini (1993), Tawaif (1985) were all content-based films, not made on a huge scale. They might not have been high on action, but were not nonsensical films. They (filmmakers) try to glorify the action more today, and even technically, they are more glossed over."
The actor said that there are a lot of actors in the film industry who don't know what acting is. "You see, actors will have to change their approach. Eventually, only actors will survive, stars won't. Stars will fade out. The system of being just good looking and bagging a good film - that kind of cinema - female or male - both will [soon] finish. You have to be a good actor. I shouldn't be saying this but there are a lot of so-called actors also in this cinema who bloody don't know what acting is all about," said the actor.
When asked his views on the young filmmakers and actors and their choice of films, the Kapoor & Sons actor said, "You see, all different kinds of films like Hindi Medium (starring Irrfan ) and Shubh Mangal Saavdhan (starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Bhumi Pednekar) and many more are being made now. And more importantly, they are being appreciated, too. So, thankfully, this generation is focused."
He added, "Sometimes, to be a part of big-budget film, actors go in for safer bets, so as to make the film acceptable among both the audiences - single theatre and multiplex audience. That's where Indian cinema becomes regressive."
When Rishi Kapoor was asked his views on how Hindi films are travelling to international film festivals but are not getting the kind of response expected, he said, "I don't think film festivals make any significant difference to the industry. Barring a few, we don't make films for festivals. We generally make them for a large audience. As a matter of fact, we mostly make commercial films."