It seems to be a last ditch effort by sagging Bollywood hero, Anil Kapoor, to stage a come back. This is the reason for his trotting around in the country to promote release of his new film, Rishtey. Director, Indra Kumar, had earlier struck gold with Anil in ‘Beta,' which was a runaway success. Anil has two leading ladies, Karisma Kapoor and Shilpa Shetty, working alongside him in Rishtey. Attempting to be casual and carefree in his approach and dress, Anil however is internally tense because of his no (fresh) hits syndrome. He spoke to Kanu Sirohi recently.

Q. Why are your films flopping?
A. There could be a number of reasons. Piracy is rampant, tickets are costly and there are now other modes of entertainment available to masses.

Q. You mean that you have had no contribution in flops?
A. Well, I put in my best as I always do. I have not got any feedback that the movies flopped because of my acting.

Q. How could you pick up a movie like ‘Badhai ho Badhai'?
A. The idea of acting in the role of a fat-fat man attracted me. It was a novel experience but then it did not work out well. And, the movie flopped. Mind you, I did indeed put in my best, though.

Q. How sure are you about ‘Rishtey'?
A. I am upbeat about ‘Rishtey'. The movie has all the ingredients like drama, action and emotions, which are necessary for a successful picture. I act as a reformed street fighter who has given up all ‘pangas' but then I am forced to revert back to the same fighting.

Q. Aren't you guys in Bollywood charging exorbitantly?
A. Some are and I think we need to cut down our rates under the present circumstances otherwise the projects will become unviable.

Q. We are seeing you in supporting roles. Why?
A. Yes, I enjoy doing them too. Look at Virasat, Biwi No. 1, Taal and Om Jai Jagdish. In Rishtey, I play as a father, in Trimurti I was elder brother, in Virasat, I was a middle-aged person. Actually, I have modelled my self along Tom Hanks and Mel Gibson.
Slowly you will find me moving in an even older slot, somewhat on the lines of Harrison Ford and Sean Connery. It will help me create my own niche audience.

Q. How long each role rests on your head?
A.I always try to tell my mind not to store concrete imprints of each role that I play... I try to act with detachment...but then there are some good roles, which stay back in your head. I have realised that the imprints on my mind are making me too soft...I am losing my quota of anger in my effort to be good to all.

Q. What is the solution during these days of slump?
A. One has to be more professional...more serious and more committed to ones role and work lest, we pass into an abyss.

Q. Any ‘naya pyar ka chakkar'?
A. Na baba na!