Randhir Kapoor: “Marlon Brando would have ended up as a spot boy in one of the dingy studios if he were here”

The eldest son of Raj Kapoor, who appeared with his father and grandfather in KAL AAJ AUR KAL, and went on to complete HEENA after his father‘s death, Randhir Kapoor aka Daboo’s involvement in films is more than just carrying on a family tradition. Still remembered for his comic roles in BIWI O BIWI and JAWANI DIWANI, for today’s generation, Randhir Kapoor alias Daboo is now known as the father of actresses Karisma and Kareena, husband to his former co-star Babita and uncle of heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor. To celebrate his 75th birthday today, we reproduce this rare interview, which first appeared in Cine Blitz in October, 1977, where Randhir Kapoor , who then had only one daughter- Karisma Kapoor since Kareena was yet to be born, tells JYOTHI VENKATESH why he is the most misunderstood guy in the filmland.

What are your strengths?

My trump card is my self-assessment. I know what my shortcomings in life are. I do not tell myself that I am an angel. With my limitations, I know what I am capable of, whether on or off the screen. I always keep trying to adapt myself to the different situations in which I am placed at different times. I accept life as it comes, just as much as I accept a man as he is or a woman as she is. Nothing more, nothing less.  I try basically to make the most of a situation. You see, I am an optimist exactly like my father. Even when I find myself in the dumps at a low ebb in my career, my outlook is bright, because I’m always of the opinion that the best things in life are yet to come.

What are your weaknesses?

My very first minus point is my carelessness in both my personal and professional life. I trust people who are close to me too much. I sometimes realize that I shouldn’t, because people try to take advantage of me. I am very gullible. I wish I were shrewd and cautious in my approach to those around me. I am not keen on reducing my ungainly bulk.  Babita often scolds me for not trying to keep myself trim, like the other actors. I do not report on my sets on time. I cannot do without a couple of drinks every night before retiring to bed though I know that drinking is harmful and may even lead to cirrhosis of the liver.

Have you planned your daughter Karisma’s future?

Who am I to plan my daughter’s future? It is entirely left to her to chalk out the course of her life. I am what I am only because I planned my future myself when I was young and did not leave the planning to my father. I plan to give Karisma good education, security and the rest. I do not claim the right to rule her life too. I can only guide her and advise her. And I intend to do exactly that. I do not want to impose my will on her. I can only show her what’s right and what’s wrong. It is my duty towards my only child. I am a broadminded father that way.

What are your obligations to your family?

I make it a point to devote every Sunday exclusively to my family. I do not entertain visitors on Sunday. I spend the week facing the arc lights and giving interviews to one magazine or the other or sitting for one story session or the other. I am not money-minded. I’d rather be with my wife and Lolo and share moments of my leisure with them. I want Lolo to know me as I am and not through film journals. I want her to know her father, not as Daboo, the star. Even if Lolo expresses her desire to join films tomorrow, I will not stand in her way, in spite of my male chauvinistic attitude. I’d try to convince her about the pros and cons of a film career and if she is still keen on becoming an actress, I’ d spare no pain to see that she attains her goal, though till date not a single Kapoor girl has made it in films. Times are changing and I don’t mind adapting myself to the changing circumstances.

Why are you against women working?

I do not mind so much. But the fact is I’m not in favor of a working wife. After marriage, a woman’s place is in her home. Why the hell should Babita work in films when I am there, her husband to provide for all the material comforts she needs in life? Emotional and professional clashes are bound to occur between an actor and his wife when she is also an actress and continues to work in films after marriage. With Babita, I acted in only two films and though several producers offered to team us together in their projects, I put my foot down. The main reason why I am against a career wife is because I do not want my marriage to land on the rocks. Babita also has reconciled herself to the situation and has sacrificed her career. Even at the peak of her career, Babita was more interested in setting up a home than trying to make it to the top.

Do you regret having married early?

No, never. I am extremely happy that I married Babita at the age of 24.I think that is the right age for a man to get married. Girls should get married even earlier because they mature earlier. I keep telling Chintu that he should also get married now, instead of waiting for the shubh ghadi. There is no point in marrying when you have dentures, you see.

What do you think of yourself as a star?

Sometimes when I do, I end up with the uncomfortable feeling that a film star is like a lion in the zoo. There is no privacy at all for him. Every moment he is being pried upon and he does not have a private world of his own. His is a world full of tension and since I am quite outspoken, I have often landed myself in hot water. Today, I think I prefer to be a hypocrite and smile at people even if I hate them from the bottom of my heart.

What is Dabboo like off screen?

I am a mixture of two extremes. There is a little of the past generation in me due to the influence of my grandparents and a little of the present generation, thanks to Lolo. I am both modern as well as orthodox. I believe in swinging at the disco at night and doing pujas at home regularly. I really believe in destiny. It is my firm opinion that our lives are ruled by God.

Do you resent having to play to the gallery?

Who the hell gave you that idea? It’s the gallery which pays for my bread and butter. I’d have been on the footpath had it not been for my patrons in the gallery. I have absolutely no qualms playing to the gallery. Indians need loud acting. Marlon Brando would have ended up as a spot boy in one of the dingy studios if he were here. The tragedy is that Indians are not yet mature enough to appreciate subtle acting. It’s compromise, compromise and compromise all the way, right from the start to the finish in Indian films.