To play a legend like Kishore Kumar requires tremendous research if you want to get it right. Ranbir Kapoor, who plays the legendary singer in his biopic, isn’t about to risk hitting a wrong note.
So he has decided to take notes from Lata Mangeshkar, who has sung innumerable duets with Kishoreda. Incidentally, Ranbir not only shares a passion for music and cinema with Lataji, the two also share the same birthday (September 28). And, of course, Lataji was very close to Ranbir’s grand-dad Raj Kapoor.
Ranbir Kapoor
A close friend of Ranbir says, "Ranbir is a big fan of Kishore Kumar (KK). His happiest moment as an actor was when he got to yodel like KK in Saawariya and when he danced to a remix of KK’s Bachna ae haseenon. This is Ranbir’s first biographical character. He doesn’t want to impersonate the legendary singer.
He wants to understand the inner life of Kishore Kumar. He’s reading up all the information on KK on the internet and intends to meet all the people who knew the singer well, including Lata Mangeshkar, who was a close friend and associate of KK."
Ranbir is currently recharging his batteries with a break of one-and-a-half months. Thereafter, it’s going to be a full two years of challenging films ahead for Ranbir, and that too in roles which require rigorous preparation. Even as he is getting a hang of the guitar strings for his role of the rock musician in Imtiaz Ali’s Rock Star he is polishing up on sign language for the role of the deaf-mute in Anurag Basu’s film. And of course, the young actor is also getting ready for the biggest challenge of his career so far.
Towards the year-end, he is taking three months off to prepare for his role after he completes his pending assignments. Ranbir has never been more excited about any role. Says the friend, "Ranbir is excited about getting it right. He has watched his dad Rishi Kapoor emote and dance to innumerable Kishore Kumar numbers. Ranbir’s favourite songs that his dad featured in are Oh hanseeni from Zehreela Insaan and Om shanti om from Karz."
Ranbir’s music-listening time is now monopolised by Kishore Kumar songs, and not just the ones the ebullient legend sang for Ranbir’s dad. "Ranbir’s iPod is filled with Kishore Kumar’s songs from the 1950s to the last songs Kishore sang before his premature death," adds Ranbir’s friend.
Commenting on his first biographical role, Ranbir says, "It’s too early to talk about that project. But yes, I’m going to work very hard to get it right."
