NEW DEHLI: Remember the music competition Antakshari that popularised the eponymous game in our houses? When one reminisces about the show, its host Annu Kapoor is instantly brought to mind. The National Award-winning actor has also appeared in supporting roles in films such as Vicky Donor (2012). But contrary to expectations, he didn’t capitalise on his knowledge of music in Bollywood.
Annu has confessed that he “feels sad” about and regrets over not being offered substantial film roles involving music. “I will always feel sad for not doing a role that encompasses music, such as that of a music teacher,” he said.
The actor did get the opportunity to depict his musical persona on the silver screen in the 2002 Bollywood drama film Om Jai Jagadish, which also featured Anil Kapoor, Fardeen Khan and Abhishek Bachchan. Directed by Anupam Kher, the film depicts Annu as music producer KK who is relaunched by Anil.
He lamented that music-related roles in films tend to be given to actors who are unaware of even the basics of music. “All such characters in Bollywood are given to people who don’t even know the ‘ABCD’ of music,” he stated. He attributed his connection with music to his mother.
“All my knowledge about music comes from my mother. She was a good singer and was well-versed with classical music. I got to know about the nuances of music by listening to her,” said the actor. But his mother did not only pass on her knowledge of music to him, but also that of literature.
“Thanks to my mother and father, I got exposure to different kinds of literature at an early age. On the one hand, I used to read about the likes of William Shakespeare and O Henry, and on the other hand, I read about Ghalib, Tulsidas and Kabir,” he shared. Commenting on the relationship between music and literature, he said, “The combination of music and literature is rare, but my mother had both. She was a scholar of Urdu, Persian and Arabic.”
The 58-year-old, who has done a variety of roles, has been commended for his performances. He won the 2013 Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for his stint in Vicky Donor. Owing to the acclaim he has received for his acting in films, which include the Priyanka Chopra-starrer 7 Khoon Maaf, Annu has signed seven films, which are slated for release soon. “All the films are ready. Shaukeen will release in November followed by Saat Uchakkey, Badlapur Boys and Miss Tanakpur Haazir Ho.” IANS
Published in The Express Tribune, September 27th, 2014.
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Why are we so worried in Pakistan, it's an indian matter, and, this is NO news for us.