'Earlier, out of 10 people, 9 used to call me Anil Kapoor's brother. Now only six think of me so'

Of all the stars on this mega tour, Sanjay Kapoor was the only one who appeared to be genuinely enjoying himself. Cheerful, with a smile for everyone, he roamed around, posing for photographs and signing autographs just for the asking.

We cornered him right after his introductory item in the concert. Dressed in a tri-coloured dhoti-kurta, he chatted frankly about the concert, his career, heroines, and brothers.

Sanjay Kapoor

How are you enjoying the tour, Sanjay?

It's fantastic, absolutely. Good crowd. The last time I performed here was two years ago with Madhuri. Then there were just four shows and I had come as a guest star. This crowd is much better. It puts you on a 'high' to perform before such a crowd, you know. (Referring to his first item's obvious success) So far so good. Let's see what happens now.

What are the aspects which makes this concert memorable to you?

Not everyone gets a chance to perform with Amitabh Bachchan or Anil. I've just started my career. I am very new -- just 5-6 films old. Performing on the same stage as all these senior actors is, well, a high on its own. It's something which I will never forget yaar.

Is being Anil Kapoor's brother a blessing or a curse professionally?

It's something of a disadvantage -- there are a lot of comparisons. People are more critical about you and compare every film with your brother's best. It's all the more harder for me because Anil is so good. He's not just a star, he's a great actor. A star I could compete with, but acting talent comes with experience.

Anyway, it depends on how you take it -- you could get demoralised and say kya yaar, or you could say achcha aisee baat hai to kar ke dikhaate hain kuch. I have taken that attitude -- said okay, I have to make an identity for myself.

Many people -- I don't want to name names here -- have come on magazine covers and stuff because their father or brother promoted them. I have put my foot down on that. I will wait. When I deserve something, it will come my way. In that sense, you can say I have taken the fact that Anil is my brother positively. Things are already changing. Earlier, out of 10 people, 9 used to call me Anil Kapoor's brother. Now only six think of me so. That's all right -- he has been in the field for 14 years. I cannot expect to get that kind of fame overnight. I will have to fight it out.

Has your relationship with Anil been affected because you both are in the same field?

Not at all. We are very close to each other. I can tell him anything... about his dress, his acting, his films, anything. And he is very supportive. For instance, Anil knew the pressures I would face while I was here. For the female stars it's different. They have a completely different audience and are not in anyway competing with Amitabh or Anil. But I was the third guy, and though I was not showing it, Anil knew I was nervous. He too has gone through this stage, remember?

He told me I should just relax, that I don't have to live up to any expectations. People would be coming with great expectations from Amitabh and him, but I wouldn't have that pressure. He said I would be the surprise, the bonus for the crowd. From the feedback I've got so far, he seems to have been right. (Smiles.)

Why was Prem delayed?

The basic thing was I was Anil's and Boney's brother. Whatever we did was making news. Even as we were still planning Prem it came out that Sanjay was being launched. People were talking about it much much before we even started shooting. So by the time it got released, people had been talking about it for five years... Of course, it took some extra time to complete because, obviously, they were launching me. Also, we were making Roop Ki Raani -- the unit for both the films was common.

Basically, people rejected Prem even before they saw it. They thought it was a delayed picture. And simultaneously, my Raja was coming. Prem was a subdued role and on television I was doing Akhian Milaaye with Madhuri. The contrast was too much. People said ki woh lagti hai ki puraani film hai and this looks like a new film.

Okay, so much for your films. Now could you tell us about your co-stars? Who are your favourites?

Hats off to Madhuri and Juhi. They were very helpful. I was so raw and new when I was working in Raja and Kartavya. I give full credit to them. Both are great actresses.

What type of roles do you enjoy?

So far I've been very lucky -- my films may not have worked out well, but where roles are concerned, I've got a chance to play a lot many kinds. I go for films which gives me roles that are not stereotypes, that are different. Like Sapnon Ki Raani. Mohabbat too, is not your typical college love triangle; I play a business tycoon.

(By now it is time for the star to rush. Anil, he laughingly explains, will be joining Shilpa and him to perform Arre baba, arre baba (Auzaar). And Sanjay has only a few minutes to teach big brother the Macarena!)