“I Love Working with Newcomers, It’s a Beautiful Process” Pankaj Kapur

Veteran actor Pankaj Kapur recently graced the red carpet at the Jagran Film Festival, where he shared his thoughts on the evolving world of acting, his journey across TV, theatre, and films, and his views on censorship and working with new talent. His reflections were both nostalgic and forward-looking, offering a unique perspective on the art of performance.

 

Pankaj Kapur expressed his deep connection to theatre, saying, “I love all three forms – TV, films, and theatre. My journey began with theatre, and it is where I first stood on my feet. That’s why I feel a deeper connection to theatre.” For Kapur, theatre holds a special place in his heart as it marked the beginning of his acting career. 

 

Reflecting on the changes in the acting world, Kapur shared, “In my time, we were fewer in number, and there was a certain loneliness in this profession. But today, there are so many people entering the world of acting. They must feel they have a lot of company, and there’s a lot more joy on their faces.” 

 

Despite his vast experience, Kapur revealed that he hasn’t directed a film since Mausam and confessed, “I have many stories written, but I haven’t had the courage to go to a producer and ask for support. If a friend or someone I trust asks me to direct, I would love to do it.” 

 

On the subject of censorship, Kapur voiced a more personal view. “At the end of the day, censorship should be self-regulated. I will decide for myself what I want to watch. How can I determine what others should see? If you want to see something, you’ll search for it. It’s about your mindset. If you want to watch a particular kind of content, you’ll find it. That’s why censorship should be something you impose on yourself about what you want to see.” Kapur expressed his belief in individual choice, stressing that with the internet today, people have the power to curate their own content consumption based on personal preferences and intelligence.

 

Talking about his love for working with younger actors, Kapur said, “A flower is a bud before it blooms, and it has its own fragrance and beauty. I love working with youngsters. It’s about learning from them, finding something new within myself. It’s a process that’s so wonderful, so beautiful. I really enjoy working with new directors, new perspectives, and new ways of approaching things.” 

 

Kapur is currently in the process of reading new scripts, and though he’s not ready to reveal specifics, he teased, “I’m reading scripts, and once something is finalized, you will know. ”