I don't mind playing grandfather: Anil Kapoor

Actor-producer Anil Kapoor, often tagged as a "forever young" star in the industry, says be it a father or grandfather, he is ready to step into their shoes on screen as it's only the role that matters to him.

He will soon turn 60, but age doesn't seem to be the deciding factor for his work in the industry.

Anil, who has played a father to actors like Ranveer Singh and Priyanka Chopra on the big screen of late, told IANS here: "I am looking forward to 'Fanney Khan'. We launched it on Eid. It has a fantastic script. It's a musical. I am really thrilled to be part of the film. It's the first time that I am playing a character whose name is Khan. He is a father too."

"I am playing a father in '24' as well. I have a grown-up son and daughter in the show. In its second season, you will see a major conflict between me and my son. The scenes have come out really well. In fact, I don't mind playing a grandfather as long as my role is great," added the actor, who has three children - actress Sonam Kapoor, producer Rhea Kapoor and actor Harshvardhan Kapoor.

Off screen, he is excited about hitting 60 in December this year.

"I am looking forward to it. For me, every day is a birthday, New Year and Diwali. I love to celebrate life as I feel blessed that I am alive and breathing in this beautiful world," he said.

Talking more about the second season of the upcoming finite TV series "24", Anil said: "Shabana Azmi and Ronit Roy have done cameos. That's one of my favourite episodes. Shabana was there in the earlier season also. She plays Abhilasha. She has moved up in the ranking and Ronit is also there. They both are from national security department."

The show, an Indian adaptation of the popular American TV show "24", has often been lauded by the masses for its international look. Is that the reason for its success in India?

"We have kept the aesthetics of '24'. The endeavour is to show that we are no less than international filmmakers and production companies. For that, we had to work extra hard. The budgets are much lesser than the international shows, but we have tried to give good results," said the "Slumdog Millionaire" actor.

The second season of "24" is certainly getting all the buzz, especially for the kissing scene between him and his co-star Surveen Chawla. Was he nervous while filming it?

"You are playing a character. It's just a job. I don't get nervous. I think we were convinced about it and the channel (Colors) gave us the freedom to do it. So we did it," he said.

Will the show get a film adaptation?

"I don't have the rights to adapt (to a film). '24' is written in such a way that it's difficult to... Creators of '24' (the American TV show) have been trying to make the show into a film. But they have not been able to crack it because the basic concept is 24 hours," said Anil, who also featured in the US action-drama show as well.

On the film front, he will be seen sharing the screen space with his nephew Arjun Kapoor in filmmaker Anees Bazmee's next.

"I won't tell you the story, but it's exciting. We will try to entertain the audience. It's close to my heart as I am working with a family member," said Anil.

(Natalia Ningthoujam can be contacted at natalia.n@ians.in)

--IANS

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