‘I won’t pass up films for screen space or strategy’: Aditya Roy Kapur

Aditya Roy Kapur isn’t a fan of promotions. But he is having a ball promoting Metro… In Dino. The actor is enjoying getting to know his co-stars as they join forces for Anurag Basu’s romantic drama. Tell him that the movie is a much-needed antidote to action films that are dominating the box office, and Kapur says, “A lot of people have said that a film like this is releasing after long. When it comes to choosing projects, we tend to focus on what’s in front of us. You ask yourself: does this story connect with me? Once a certain kind of film does well, it triggers a chain reaction. That’s how the business works. Hopefully, people will connect with this film, and maybe we’ll see more of these stories being made again.”

(From left) Aditya Roy Kapur and Sara Ali Khan in Metro…In Dino. Pics/Yogen Shah, AFP, Instagram

Metro… In Dino marks the actor’s second collaboration with Basu after Ludo (2020). Starring Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Konkona Sensharma, Pankaj Tripathi, Neena Gupta, Anupam Kher, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Ali Fazal, the movie explores various shades of love. How easy is it to play the quintessential romantic hero? “People often underestimate how tricky it can be,” says Kapur. “You need to lean into your own charm, make it feel current, and still keep it honest. It comes down to the writing. I don’t think Anurag sir would ever do something that feels uninspired. By now, Dada and I have developed a shorthand. There’s an instinctual understanding of what he wants. He wants his actors to be experimental; he doesn’t judge you if something doesn’t land. Also, he thrives on improvisation. He can rewrite a dialogue, change a scene, or shift the energy. Being on his set has taught me that sometimes, the takes where you feel unsure are the best ones.” 

Usually stars are wary of ensemble movies. Filmmaker Rohit Shetty has often said that today’s actors are too egoistic to share screen space. But Kapur has no such qualms. “It’s about not denying myself a good opportunity. When Dada spoke about this new story, it sounded exciting. I wasn’t going to pass it up for some arbitrary reason like screen space or strategy. I started my career doing supporting roles. In my first film [London Dreams, 2009], I played a small part. I’m happy with my path.”

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