Didn't want controversy: Ranbir Kapoor says his statement about working in Pakistan was misconstrued

Bollywood heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor is setting the record straight after lyricist Javed Akhtar's recent comments about Pakistan. The former was asked last year whether he would be willing to work on a Pakistani project. To this, Kapoor, while saying that art transcends borders, had shared he would be open to the idea of starring in a neighbouring country's project if it's a story worth telling. 

However, the actor has now shared that his previous statement was 'misconstrued'. At a recent promotional event of his latest offering, Tu Jhoothi Main Makkar, Kapoor shared that he concurred with the query as he didn't want to make a controversial statement.

According to The Indian Express, the Tamasha actor said, “I think my statement was misconstrued. I had gone to a film festival and there were a lot of Pakistani filmmakers asking me this question, ‘If you’ve got a good subject would you do it?’ So, I didn’t want it to be controversial in any way.”

The actor added, “I don’t think itni bhi badi controversy hui. (It was not a big controversy) But, for me, films are films, and art is art. I have worked with Fawad (Khan) in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. I have known a lot of artists from Pakistan. Rahat (Fateh Ali Khan) and Atif Aslam are such great singers who used to contribute to Hindi cinema. So, cinema is cinema. I don’t think cinema sees boundaries.”

However, Kapoor added that art is not bigger than one’s country. He concluded, “But, of course, you have to respect art but at the same time art is not bigger than your country. So, anybody who is not on good terms with your country, your first priority will always be your country.”

In a conversation with the fans and media at the GQ meet and greet, the Sanju star had opened up about working with his counterparts on this side of the border while congratulating the Pakistani film industry for producing record-breaking projects.

One attendee asked if Kapoor would work with Pakistani actors and filmmakers. Pakistani artists have been banned from working in India since 2016. “Art knows no borders and I definitely would. In fact, I would like to congratulate Pakistani cinema on the huge success of [The Legend of] Maula Jatt," he said.

Star-studded period film The Legend of Maula Jatt, which was released in October, recently became the highest-grossing Pakistani film of all time. Kapoor said he was a fan of popular Pakistani and Bollywood singer Atif Aslam. “When he sings, it’s like a hero's singing,” he said.

On the work front

Kapoor is currently busy promoting his rom-com, Tu Jhoothi Main Makkar, which also stars Shraddha Kapoor. The actor will next be seen as a gangster in Animal. Apart from these two offerings, Kapoor's name was also prominently featured as one of the many contenders to essay India's cricket legend, Saurav Ganguly in a biopic. 

Talking about the same, Kapoor rubbished rumours of working in a Ganguly biopic but shared that he will play Bollywood veteran Kishore Kumar in a yet-to-be-titled film. “I think dada (Sourav Ganguly) is a living legend not just in India, but around the world. A biopic on him will be very special. Unfortunately, mujhe yeh film offer nahi huyi hai (I have not been offered this film). I think the makers at Luv Films are still writing the script.”

Kapoor went on to talk about being part of the biopic of Kumar, and shared, “I have been working on Kishore Kumar’s biopic for 11 years. We have been writing that with Anurag Basu and I’m hoping that it’s gonna be my next biopic. But so far I haven’t heard anything about the biopic being made on him. So, I don’t know.”

On daughter and fatherhood

At the same promotional event, the Rockstar actor also spoke about his newborn daughter, Raha. The actor also gave a glimpse of his fatherly side during the conversation as he revealed he is a ‘burping specialist’, adding, “She has just started smiling in the last two weeks. And seeing that smile breaks your heart. It feels like a new understanding of love.”

Kapoor then added, “This morning, even to get those 20 minutes with her before my flight, it just rejuvenates you. I miss her a lot, I keep seeing her photos” Ranbir went on to question a journalist, "Are you a father?" The reporter revealed he wasn't. “Okay! I wish that upon you because it’s truly the best feeling in the world,” the actor smiled. “It feels like a new understanding of love. You were asking me about the language of love, but the baby has no language. It’s a love you cannot describe,” he added