Shakun Batra’s Kapoor & Sons remains one of the most significant films under Dharma Productions. The movie bravely explores the complexities of a family grappling with unresolved issues, which unravel with gripping urgency as time runs out. Batra and his co-writer, Ayesha Devitre Dhillon, craft a family drama that never feels overburdened with melodrama. The narrative fluidly allows the tragedy of an unhappy family to unfold, letting characters evolve in ways beyond their control.
Rishi Kapoor’s Standout Performance
Among the talented ensemble cast, Rishi Kapoor’s portrayal of the lovable yet aged patriarch steals the show. His performance is closely followed by Ratna Pathak Shah, who brilliantly embodies the role of a weary yet hopeful housewife. Rajat Kapoor, playing a troubled father facing financial and extramarital issues, delivers a subdued yet powerful performance.
Sharing insights into his preparation for the role, Rishi Kapoor revealed, “I didn’t only have to look like an old man, I also had to sound like one. It is easier said than done. I have to thank my director, Shakun Batra, for helping me with my voice modulation. I had to talk slowly like a 90-year-old but not too slowly, as that would get boring for the audience. I managed to dub convincingly. But for my most important scene, we retained the live sound because it was impossible for me to replicate the same emotions and voice modulation in the dubbing studio.”
Rishi Kapoor On His Differences With Shakun Batra
In a shocking confessional interview, Rishi Kapoor shared his struggles working under Shakun Batra’s direction. He admitted, “I didn’t enjoy working with Shakun Batra in Kapoor & Sons. Every single day for 30-32 days, we had disagreements. It was not a creative fight; it was something else. I just couldn’t agree with his method of working on my role.”
He explained, “Shakun wanted to cover every shot of mine from multiple angles. But I am an old-school, spontaneous actor. I couldn’t recreate the same expression several times for every shot. I respect all schools of acting, but I am not a method actor. With each successive take, I lose my spontaneity. This new-age style of working, where actors repeatedly deliver the same shot from different angles, has gained acceptance because, in the digital era, no raw stock is wasted. Since filmmakers now edit on digital platforms, they want more software. But this turns actors into robots, and that’s not my way of working. I always have a mental blueprint of how my performance should be edited.”
Rishi Kapoor Considered Quitting The Film
Rishi Kapoor further revealed, “We argued constantly. I told Shakun he had chosen the wrong actor. At least twice, I offered to leave the film. I even informed Karan Johar that I was quitting. Please understand, this was a very difficult role. For 13 hours a day, I had to wear extensive prosthetic makeup and contact lenses. I couldn’t redo every shot from multiple angles. It was easier for the younger actors—Alia Bhatt, Sidharth Malhotra, and Fawad Khan since they don’t have a defined style of working yet. Rajat Kapoor and Ratna Pathak Shah, coming from a theater background, could redo multiple takes while maintaining spontaneity. But for me, every take is unique. Ask any director I’ve worked with; they’ll tell you that no two takes of mine are ever the same. I act with my heart, not by mechanical repetition.”
He also disclosed, “The same thing happened with my niece, Kareena Kapoor, when she worked with Shakun Batra in Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu. She even called Karan Johar from Las Vegas, complaining about Shakun’s working style.”
A Performance To Remember
Despite the creative clashes, everything ultimately worked out beautifully. Rishi Kapoor took immense pride in his performance as a 90-year-old man, considering it one of the best of his career. Sadly, he had no idea then that he wouldn’t live to see 90 himself. His unforgettable portrayal in Kapoor & Sons remains a testament to his incredible talent and dedication.
