I want to conquer the skies like Tom Cruise: Kunal Kapoor

Be it flying, racing cars or simply telling a story, actor Kunal Kapoor revels in all roles that challenge him. “I have come across a lot of successful people with whom I can’t have a decent conversation. I rather have an interesting life and want to explore different facets of my personality,” says a smiling Kunal.

Life to him is more than his profession. When he was assisting on the sets of Aks, the latent actor in him came to the fore. “I was a closet actor. During the shoot of Aks, if someone was required to rehearse the scene or stand for lighting in front of the camera, I was the first one to volunteer. Then (director) Rakeysh (Om Prakash Mehra) took me aside and told me that since you spend more time in front of the camera than behind it, you might as well become an actor,” he shares and adds, “I guess he wanted to get rid of me as an assistant director,” chuckles Kunal, who’s turning scriptwriter for Chamkila. “I came across the story of a singer in Punjab, who was assassinated in 1988, when I was visiting my state and the story fascinated me. So I decided to make a film on it,” he says.

Storytelling comes more naturally to Kunal. “There are two choices one has when the right stories are not coming your way, either you sit back and complain or you take a stand and tell your story no matter how long it takes. And I love doing the later and get excited as a child when I hear a good story,” he says and adds that he has been fortunate as directors have given him a chance whenever he has wanted to tell a story that has been close to his heart.

The reason Kunal became an actor was to grab the chance of living different realities that is removed from his cocooned existence in Mumbai. “For me doing Lamhaa was really interesting as I had to read up on Kashmir’s geo-political history and had come face- to-face with a world far removed from mine,” he says.

Throwing light on what kind of girl interests him, he confesses, “ I need to connect and have interesting conversation with my partner. The charm of a great ambience fades away if I cannot exchange smart repartee with her.” He adds that he feels fortunate as he has been able to remain friends even when his relationships have ended.

A man of varied interest, Kunal is never shy of taking up new challenges. “I am learning how to fly as after watching Tom Cruise in Top Gun, I so wanted to conquer the skies. I am also learning how to drive rally cars and my trainer is keen that I try competing in the national tournament next year,” he says and feels that it is important to cultivate new hobbies in life.

He is excited about his slated release Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana, a romantic comedy where he essays the role of a Punjabi guy. “I was associated with the film right from the inception with (director) Sameer Sharma. I am from Punjab and the film is based there. Punjabi characters in films are often loud and obnoxious, and we have tried to break that stereotype,” he says.