Mumbai, Jan 23 (IANS) Anil Kapoor, who has got rave reviews in the American press for his stint on the just-premiered drama series "24", was so self-effacing that he couldn't ask the producers to let him show the first four episodes to his family back home.

When Anil left for Los Angeles last week, he had promised his family in Mumbai that he would bring back four episodes of '24' which premiered in New York. But he came back to Mumbai empty-handed.

"I had promised them. And I'm sure Fox would've given the episodes to me. In fact, they gave the first four episodes to every journalist beforehand with a secrecy clause. So I could've easily asked because my daughters Sonam and Rhea and my brother Sanjay were all keen to see my television debut. But I just couldn't ask. I was too shy. Can you believe it?"

And now the only way Sonam and the rest of the family gets to see Anil's debut on "24" is if they download the episodes.

"I believe the episodes can be downloaded. Also '24' is telecast on our channel AXN. But a few months late. I think episodes featuring me would be telecast much sooner," Anil told IANS.

The actor, in fact, is making efforts to bring the series to Indian viewers simultaneously with the rest of the world.

Anil is very happy with the way his television debut was received.

"It was overwhelming. I had made sure that the Indian media was also invited on the red carpet. The impact of my appearance on '24' is yet to be gauged. But I guess the show will add Asian eyeballs to the already-popular series.

"See, you've to understand television in the US is not the same thing as television in India. There're big stars on American television who actually refuse to do movies," he said.

He was invited on the prestigious "Today Show" as well.

"You see, '24' is a series by Fox. And the 'Today Show' is on a rival channel NBC. No actor from a Fox show is ever invited on the 'Today Show'. I guess I was an exception because after 'Slumdog Millionaire' I'm seen to represent the Indian diaspora in the West. It's a humbling place to be in," he said.

The American press is going ga-ga over Anil.

"The most promising this season is Omar Hassan (Anil Kapoor), president of the Islamic Republic of Kamistan, who is negotiating a peace treaty with US president Allison Taylor (Cherry Jones). He's regal and decent," wrote the Los Angeles Times.

Entertainment Weekly said: "The dapper Hassan ...played by the wonderful Anil Kapoor, who really should go by the name of Fantastic Sam because of his incredible head of hair..."

Back home, Anil is now committed to doing films here.

"I've a commitment with Ashtavinayak for two films. Indra Kumar and Apoorva Lakhia are working on two ideas which I really like. I may do one or both depending on how the projects scripts shape up. But before that I've two films 'No Problem' and 'Aisha' to release as a producer. I need to concentrate on that."

When asked how he manages to remain so thin at his age, Anil said: "A-ha! I was always lean and thin, much before it became fashionable. The secret formula is healthy living, positive thinking, no late nights and plenty of work."

Labels: Anil-Kapoor

Chicago, Jan 19 (IANS) Actor Anil Kapoor has made an assured and credible debut on US television with a two-hour season premier of the hugely popular drama series "24".

Playing president Omar Hassan of a fictional Middle Eastern country called Islamic Republic of Kamistan, Kapoor's was a largely swift performance, laboured somewhat in a place or two by the inherent unfamiliarity with geopolitical issues.

On balance though, Kapoor slipped into the frenzied world of Jack Bauer, played with his trademark nervy manner by Kiefer Sutherland, like a consummate professional.

Hassan is presented as a transformational Middle Eastern leader who is the only hope for stability in the volatile region. He is at the United Nations for talks with US President Allison Taylor (Cherry Jones) to forswear his country's nuclear programme in return for billions of dollars in aid.

Inevitably, Hassan's peace moves have not gone down well with his detractors who have hatched a plot to assassinate him in New York. Bauer, struggling to adjust to a life of grandfatherly retirement, is pulled out of his familial tranquility by the rapidly moving events.

There is also a parallel personal track running in Hassan's life where is facing a terminal marital discord with his wife over his suspected affair with a journalist, Meredith Reed. As part of the plot twists the makers of "24" spring her as a possible suspect in the assassination plot. All logic would suggest that she is just an early red herring.

With this as the backdrop Kapoor has been given enough meat early on in the show to craft his character. It is obvious that he is far more effective in scenes dealing with his personal marital crisis than he is discussing dismantling nuclear weapons and whether his country's national assembly will ratify such a deal.

It has less to do with his skills as an actor than his unfamiliarity with the complex world of nuclear negotiations. Indian audiences used to lines such as "One Two ka Four" or "jakas" coming out of his mouth may take some time getting used to Kapoor as a serious and transformational Middle Eastern figure.

In some ways his character as a television game show host in "Slumdog Millionaire" was an extension of his Hindi cinema persona. It had much of the flamboyance of a Hindi movie star.

In contrast Hassan, who is expected to be stretched over the next 16 episodes, is a measured and understated character. Many so-called Indian crossover actors, who are as at home in English as they are in Hindi off-screen, have spoken about the awkwardness of fusing their characters' emotional impulses with having to speak English lines. Kapoor seems to manage it rather well except in some places where his intonation becomes identifiably contrived.

For instance, the scene where he tells Taylor: "Let me be clear. My country agrees to abandon the pursuit of nuclear weapons with full International Atomic Energy Commission safeguards." The way he punctuates those lines gives the sense that he may not be entirely comfortable with saying them. That though is a minor flaw in an otherwise subtle performance.

However, Hassan's personal moments with his foreign minister brother Farhad Hassan, particularly while discussing his marital problems, are done with great conviction and are reminiscent of his the actor's polished performance in Yash Chopra's "Lamhe".

"Slumdog Millionaire" had already given Kapoor considerable visibility within Hollywood. "24" is expected to help the actor make further inroads into a world he is just discovering in his nearly three-decade-long career.

As a career move it is a smart choice since "24" enjoys precisely the kind of mainstream US audience that would also go to see mainstream Hollywood movies. Kapoor's weekly appearances will help build a following, or at least recognition, which he can leverage for other roles in Hollywood.

The actor has not spoken in terms of any transition from Mumbai to Los Angeles since that is an outdated idea when non-US actors from different countries straddle many different cinema genres simultaneously.

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Washington, Jan 16 (IANS) Bollywood star Anil Kapoor is excited about his debut Sunday on "24", a popular American TV series depicting a 24-hour period in the life of a government agent fighting fictitious terrorist threats to the US.

The new incarnation of "24" broadcast by Fox represents a number of firsts for the veteran actor. For one "I've never played a president", he says in a video interview on Fox Television.

"It's the first time that I'm doing television. I've been doing feature films for around 30 years. Not only was I excited that I was doing '24', but I was also anxious and nervous that I was doing something for the first time in my life."

Kapoor says he took the role on the urging of his friends and family. "People told me, 'No matter what happens, you have to be on '24'! My son, my daughter, my friends.

"'24' is very popular in India. Five or six years back, I was introduced to '24' by my colleagues who would watch it in their trailers."

His decision to play a Middle Eastern character was a deliberate one, he added. "I am very clear that I won't play Indian characters in international projects unless they're really special. I've told my agent to seek out parts that are not culture-specific, but have character."

The hit action drama begins its eighth season with a two-night, four-hour special, airing Jan 17 at 9 p.m. and Jan 18 at 8 p.m.

In the new episode Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) has finally decided to quit CTU (Counter Terrorist Unit) and take up a safe, cushy consulting job when word comes that a high-level peace agreement between President Allison Taylor (Cherry Jones) and Omar Hassan (Anil Kapoor), president of a fictitious Middle Eastern country, is on the brink of sabotage.

"Anil Kapoor is above all else a great elegant gentleman with an amazing background," said Cherry Jones. "He has a natural regalness to him which is so perfect."

But Kapoor, an actor whose capacity for caustic viciousness was celebrated in "Slumdog Millionaire", wouldn't have been hired for "24" if it was just a predictable, good-guy role. Hassan, it seems, has a secret that might jeopardize the peace agreement, the wellbeing of his family, and his career.

"I don't think the peace talks will go well at all," said Jones. "This is '24' and we've gotta give Jack something to do!"

With its average of 12.5 million viewers each week, the Emmy-winning "24" has provided a stage for several leading South Asian actors since its debut in 2001. Indian American star Kal Penn played a teenaged terrorist over four episodes in 2007.

Labels: Anil-Kapoor

Mumbai, Jan 5 (IANS) Anil Kapoor, who recently turned 50, has many a reason to be happy - his American television series "24" is set to premiere in New York Jan 14 and his presence in the series has been extended from 10 to 16 episodes.

"Initially, I was under contract for just 10 episodes. Then seeing the way my role developed, they decided to have me in 16 episodes. I must say I was as happy with the whole experience as I was with 'Slumdog Millionaire'," Anil told IANS confirming the news.

The versatile actor, who turned 50 Dec 24 last year, agrees 2009 has been a phenomenal year for him.

"And now 2010 starts for me with the premiere of my television series '24' on January 14. I'm flying down to New York on January 12 for the premiere. In fact, all through the shooting of the series I've been flying in and out of India and the US." he said.

"At one point, I thought I wouldn't be able to do Anees Bazmi's 'No Problem' because I was committed to do '24'. I even spoke to Mr. (Amitabh) Bachchan about my role. Finally, I did manage both, thanks to Anees' co-operation. But I must say doing '24' and 'No Problem' side by side was quite a cultural and continental shuffle," he said.

Anil plays a Middle Eastern character in "24".

"I'm now waiting to see how audiences react to it. I've always believed in doing all kinds of work. Just like my friend A.R. Rahman who scores music for Shankar and Mani Ratnam, I've also done 'Eeshwar' and 'Rakhwala' side by side. I think variety is a very strong incentive for growth," he said.

Anil recalls how a lot of people advised him against doing an American television series.

"But I was also advised not to do 'Slumdog Millionaire'. I took it up because my wife and kids were in favour. Can you imagine how I'd feel right now if I had turned it down? If I see 2009 as the best year of my life, it's partly because of 'Slumdog�'," said Anil.

"Then, of course, there was 'Aisha' my two daughters' gift to me. Yes, that's how I see it. It isn't my gift to them, but their gift to me. While Sonam plays the lead, Rhea is producing 'Aisha'. I'm proud of both of them."

He is now ready to take on his third international project.

"But I am very clear that I won't play Indian characters in international projects unless they're really special. I won't do the stereotypical Indian characters in American films. I've told my agent to seek out parts that are not culture-specific but have character."

Another project with Danny Boyle after "Slumdog Millionaire" is not ruled out. "Yes, Danny has gone on record to say we're working together and we will. At the moment I'm not signing anything new until I'm sure of what to do next."

Anil feels a strong support system at home and at work is the key to his successful journey as an actor.

"I hope my children have imbibed the values that I grew up with. I'm very proud of my three children. They are all doing well for themselves. My son Harshvardhan is enjoying his student days in the US, just like I did at his age, though not abriad like him."

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New Delhi, Nov 11 (IANS) Bollywood actors Anil Kapoor and Irrfan Khan will be honoured at the ongoing 33rd Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) 2009.

The duo will be honoured along with model-turned-actor Arfie Lamba, among the stars of the multiple Oscar-award winning movie "Slumdog Millionaire" at the fest that commenced Tuesday, according to the official website of the film festival.

With India being the special guest of honour at the gala, around 25 Indian movies will be screened during the festival that opened with Yash Raj Films' "New York".

The film, which was screened Tuesday, is also competing in the 'In Competition' section of the festival that closes Nov 20.

Directed by Kabir Khan, the film stars John Abraham, Katrina Kaif, Neil Nitin Mukesh in the lead apart from Irrfan Khan in an important role.

Recently screened at the Pusan International Film Festival, "New York" released in over 900 screens worldwide June 26. It is a contemporary story of three young friends whose lives are turned upside down by post-9/11 prejudices.

The jury of the fest is being headed by Malayalam filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Victor Okhai and Nour El Sherif.

Also attending the festival will be Hollywood stars like Samuel L. Jackson, Lucy Liu and Tom Berenger.

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