I’m Not Embarrassed About Doing Lovemaking Scenes: A Conversation With The World’s Sexiest Man Brad Pitt

“What?” he had asked incredulously? “You mean people in India know about Jennifer and me separating?”

That was Brad Pitt, circa 2004, quite amazed that the public curiosity was high on his impending divorce with Jennifer Aniston. Their marriage as it turned out lasted all of five years (2000-2005). Rumours were abuzz online that the Adonis-like actor was serious about his friendship with Angelina Jolie.


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The internet hadn’t evolved to the extent it has today. Brad Pitt turned red with embarrassment, requesting that our interview should not focus on his Jennifer-Angelina dilemma. Ever so politely, he said, “The situation is a bit delicate right now. Jennifer is extremely sensitive.”

I had been invited to a press conference in New York with the unit of Troy. Inevitably, the recorded conversations on video, had to be essentially about the period film which also featured Peter O’Toole and Julie Christie in the supporting ensemble.

Waving the ‘only questions on Troy’ stricture aside, Pitt stated, “You’ve come all the way from India. So go ahead ask me anything but about you know what.”


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Fair enough. He hadn’t visited India till then – his first visit was to be a couple of years later for the shoot of A Mighty Heart starring Angelina Jolie. In the event, the face-to-face with Brad Pitt went like this. Excerpts:

On India and Bollywood
My friends keep telling me it’s my kind of place, somewhere I could melt in the crowds, be myself. When I was acting in Seven Years in Tibet, I boned up on some       eastern philosophy and spiritualism. I’m no expert on spiritualism but I do believe that Asia has something very valuable to offer all of us caught in the everyday grind of living, our lifestyles are overwhelmingly goal driven and  materialistic which is a pity.

Bollywood sounds fascinating, but for quite a while Monsoon Wedding was the only film I’ve seen from India. I’m told it isn’t a typical Bollywood film which is conventionally packed with songs, dances, passion and  high drama. Actually, I’d love to do a Bollywood movie, dance like crazy, fight, cry and laugh. But I’m a limited actor,I wouldn’t be able to sing my own songs.

I’d feel terribly awkward even with a ghost voice singing my number while I try to move my lips…presumably in sync. Amazing! I don’t know how your actors can carry that off, sounds incredibly difficult. A while ago, Shekhar Kapur did talk to me about doing an international film, more Hollywood than Bollywood, but nothing happened after that. He’s an interesting guy, full of ideas.

From what I understand, Bollywood heroes are larger-than-life, fiercely protective about their principles and ideals which is pretty close to the character of Achilles I played in Troy.


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On his best performances
That’s not for me to say. We make more bad movies than good ones, which is because there are more bad intentions than good ones. If cash earnings are the primary intention, then chances are that the movie will turn out to be plain lousy. I’ve been fortunate to be in films which were made with the intention of telling stories of substance rather than making big bucks. Which is why I absolutely loved my walk-on parts in Full Frontal and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. I’ve been guided and influenced constantly by my directors, so I cannot select any performance as my best…or for that matter as my worst.

On male nudity
I’ve done lovemaking scenes long enough not to get embarrassed by them. It’s nothing like what you see on the screen. There you are feeling hot, sweaty and dirty under the lights, the guys with the boom mike are hovering over your face and the camera’s travelling all around your bum as if it was the Grand Canyon.

On good looks
Me, good looking? Thanks. Much has been made about my looks though I’m not the sort who feels great on seeing his mug in the mirror. Like it or not, a lot of emphasis is placed on good looks in films.I’d be a liar if I were to say that this factor hasn’t helped me. On the contrary, it has opened many doors for me.

As for being taken seriously, an actor has to deal his pack of cards right. He cannot keep throwing the card of the joker at the audience. I think I’ve dealt the right cards, I feel immensely gratified that I’ve been accepted and also regarded with a sufficient amount of seriousness.. or gravitas.


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On being given titles like the Sexiest Man in the World
Such titles are fine by me, as long as I don’t actually start believing that they’re true.

On middle age
I’m really enjoying my age. I see it as a badge of honour. I’ve made it so far without losing my sanity. I’d also like to believe that wisdom comes with age and I have no hesitation in trading off youthful experiences for wisdom.

On prime influences
There are some people I admire tremendously. Like Chris Rock (musician-comedian) who kills me with his humour. And Frank Gehry, the architect whose buildings like the California Aerospace Museum and an art museum in Bilbao, Spain, are wondrous, truly wondrous.

On the three films he’d carry to a desert island
Apocalypse Now, a Marx Brothers comedy….and an XXX-rated movie.


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