Veteran actor Annu Kapoor has got his fans extremely excited with his character of Raja Bhadra Pratap Singh in Ekta Kapoor's latest web series Paurashpur. In the series, we see him dictate patriarchy, thereby exploiting women of his kingdom.
And now talking to SpotboyE.com exclusively, Annu Kapoor has not just shared his experience of playing this character but also how he was impressed with his co-star, Shilpa Shinde. Excerpts from the conversation:
How do you see the character of Raja Bhadra Pratap Singh?
History of all eras and regions have witnessed the autocratic debauch and tyrant monarchs like Raja Bhadra Pratap (means Gentle, virtuous and Majestic Man). Ironically, the creative team has named this character contrary to his deeds and personality.
Were you sceptical to take up this character? What was your reaction when they came to you with this role?
Our makers and producers are smart enough to gauge that they have approached the right man to play the debauch and tyrant king, and I also knew that they are meeting the right actor.
In the promos, we could see you treating women as objects. How disturbing it was for you to shoot such sequences?
I have always been a feminist, always respected and treated women as an equal individual with opposite gender; nevertheless, we all know how the world has treated a woman right from the very beginning. Still, I am an artist, and I was given a job to execute with the best of my ability which I have done and have been doing in different roles on different platforms since 38 years in the Film Industry.
One thing you loved about this character...
Nothing as such to love in this character but as an actor, to create and make-believe the audience, is the best. Challenge accepted! Mission accomplished!
Shilpa Shinde said she was uncomfortable shooting with you as you are senior to her. How has been your experience shooting with her?
It was my duty and responsibility as a senior and professional artist to make my co-actors feel comfortable and easy to perform with me. I was supposed to treat women like a debauch ruthless and tyrant king. I was supposed to look and perform like that. The craft of acting is to convince and make the audience feel the fiction. It is not necessary to indulge in real and brutal acts. Ask them, I was always gentle and cooperative with every woman.
You have seen Shilpa's work before?
I have never seen Shilpa's work or had ever met her before yet I say that she is a wonderful girl and artist! I would love to work with her again. God bless her.
Other than Bhadra Pratap Singh, which other characters did you find the most challenging and why?
I hope and wish that everyone has done their job with the utmost satisfaction to the producer and creative team. My special thanks to Alt Balaji, director Shachindra Vats, Vijay Velu and last but not least our creative head Ms Bhavna Shrestha.
Do you feel that the topic is still relevant to our society? Or have we evolved?
Gender discrimination issues have always been visible in Indian Society, especially. We have to change the mindset of Indian males and the mentality of men worldwide. Our country's lawmakers and judiciary have introduced strict laws for the perpetrators and the crime and torture towards women. However, still, we have to cover a long, long way and believe me most of the religious sects are responsible directly or indirectly for the atrocities against women and Bollywood did not lag either.
Image Source: Instagram/altbalaji/annukapoor/shilpa_shinde_official
Image Source: Instagram/altbalaji/annukapoor/shilpa_shinde_official