Exclusive: You don’t want to be a repeat performer as an actor, says Aditya Roy Kapoor

I believe that some stories have an innate element to which people can relate; perhaps they recognised themselves in the characters, or perhaps they thought they were relatable, and the conflict between them was something that everyone could understand and identify with. For example, A Star Is Born, starring Bradley Cooper, was a box office success. It all comes down to human connections. There’s something remarkable about it, you can tell. The direction, music, songs, age and timing of Mohit Suri were all great. It’s like hum sab sath mein mile aur ek magic ho gaya. Kuch cheezein bas ho jaati hain (We all got together and magic happened). Consider yourself fortunate if it happens a few times in your career.

Do you get frustrated when your films don’t work?

Of course, you’re disappointed because you put in so much time and work. A film takes one or two years to make and then it depends on how people react to it. You undoubtedly feel guilty and disappointed. You hope people like it. It takes some getting used to. You must learn how to deal with it and keep moving on.

How do you handle it when a film does not perform as well as you had hoped?

Work harder. There is no other alternative. I feel horrible when my films do poorly. But it’s critical to experience that. Don’t try to avoid it. Simply accept the situation. It takes time for things to become normal. So I took advantage of the opportunity. I just cut myself from the world. Then, after a few days, I return and begin working on other projects. Otherwise, you become sidetracked and your positivity erodes. So if you have the option of returning to work, that’s fantastic.

Do you believe it is difficult to survive in the industry?

It’s obviously not an easy job. You must have a strong sense of self-assurance, fortitude and belief in your skills. You will not obtain anything until you work hard. That is the most important requirement. You must be willing to put in a lot of effort. Because it is somewhat lengthy. It is more tenacious; it is not a simple task. It’s strenuous work. You’re off and running. You are not seated. So it’s a difficult job and everyone needs a little luck.

What motivates you to get out of the bed and face the camera day in and day out?

The desire to work. Because there are so many aspects to acting. Obviously, you know what happens in front of the camera. But there are so many things that happen behind the camera, such as preparation, collaboration, acting prep, sitting with the director, creating something. So the joy of creating something is good, and creating a new character, that passion is very much there. That is what keeps me going. I won’t be able to sustain it unless that is present.

What is the most enjoyable aspect about becoming an actor?

Being able to get immersed in another Universe for a short time

Do you believe you’ve grown as an actor over the years?

I went into acting without knowing if it was something I wanted to do. What I’ve realised is that it’s something I enjoy and am extremely passionate about. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have discovered it and to be able to do what I enjoy. When I’m on set, I’m the happiest person alive. As an actor, the more experience you have, the more you understand yourself. You will comprehend the procedure and what works best for you. And you will begin working on it. You are continuously aware of the areas in which you need to modify and develop. So hopefully with each film, the desire is to continue evolving; to continue assessing yourself and wondering if you are doing enough to evolve. I can now detach and reconnect.