'I compete only with myself'

He is Tushar Kapoor, Jeetendra's offspring.

The latest among the present generation of star children seeking to carve a niche in Bollywood. He has formidable competition in the likes of Abhishek Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor.

His debut film, Vashu Bhagnani's Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai, is being directed by A Muthu.

Tushar has something in common with his first director -- both have been assistants to David Dhawan.

He is almost an hour late for our appointment but his apology is functional. The quirks that accompany stardom -- and he has not even reached that pinnacle yet -- seem to be catching up with him.

An obvious query springs to mind: Why hasn't he been launched in a home production? That, too, when his sister Ekta has just launched a film with Dhawan?

Read on to find the answer to this and more in Tushar Kapoor's conversation with Dr Rajiv Vijayakar:

Your sister Ekta has just launched a home production. Your father has produced several films in the past. Why aren't they launching you?

See, my launch was not planned. It is just that I knew Vashu Bhagnani and Muthu ji because I was assisting David Dhawan. He felt that I was suitable for the role in Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai. I liked the script and accepted the offer.

Ekta's film is an expansion of her TV production concern, Balaji Telefilms.

Were you always keen on acting in films?

Frankly, though I always wanted to be an actor, I was unsure about acting in Hindi films. I was doing my Bachelor of Business Administration at Michigan University and I returned only because I wanted to come back to my family.

Over here, I became Davidji's assistant. After I enjoyed the work and decided to continue in the field. Today, every new actor has to be groomed in acting, dancing, riding, diction etc. I have been taking the necessary coaching since I signed the film. I had already taken Urdu lessons and dancing lessons before.

Is the Tushar-Kareena pairing a conscious effort to recreate the magic of Jeetendra and Babita in Farz 33 years ago? Especially since it was Farz that really got the careers of Babita and your father going?

I wouldn't know. I was signed according to the role requirements and Kareena Kapoor was signed later. I don't think the pairing was intentional as she had the option of refusing the role for whatever reason.

Tell us about your role.

I play a guy with normal feelings, a guy you can easily identify with. It's a different love story, not a typical rich-poor conflict. That is all I am allowed to say at this stage.

Would you be inclined towards a fixed image or would you prefer to not belong to any one particular slot?

I would like to have my own image but as far as roles are concerned, I don't want to be restricted in any way. My talent and range should come across. I am sure that if I prove myself, I will get varied roles. It is the media that slots and brands you as an action hero, lover boy, etc. As far as I am concerned, I have no preferences.

As an artiste and a person, what have you learnt or absorbed from your father?

I think my father endured for so long mainly because of his sheer professionalism and goodness of character. He has taught me self-confidence and it is only when you believe in yourself that others will believe in you, too.

Despite the fact that your father survived for over 20 years as a top star, he was never really considered a great actor. What is more important to you - stardom or recognition as an actor?

It is vital for me to be appreciated as an actor. But stardom, in the sense that you appeal to the masses, is equally important, too.

Was Jeetendra your favourite actor as a kid?

I did not have any favourites - I liked films, not actors. But I definitely looked up to my dad.

I would like to have my own image. But as far as roles are concerned, I don't want to be restricted in any way. My talent and range should come across. I am sure that if I prove myself, I will get varied roles.

Do you think that he was underrated as an actor?

Yes, he was, especially by the media. At times, the media would give him his due. At times, it did not. But he was confident of his own worth and never really cared. When he did meaningful films, they labelled him a great actor. When he went down South and set another trend with films like Himmatwala, the media once again called him a Jumping Jack. No one analysed his career as a whole.

I thought of my father as someone who simply did all kinds of roles in films ranging from Farz to Kinara to Pyaasa Sawan.

Which of Jeetendra's works do you most prefer?

I started seeing his movies on video from a very young age. I felt that he looked different and performed differently in different eras - almost as if he was a different person. I especially enjoyed Caravan, Khudgarz, Humjoli and Parichay.

How do you intend selecting your roles and planning your career?

I am not going to keep tabs on the competition. I am competing only with myself and will try to sensibly choose scripts. Subsequent to the script, what is important is the potential of the team that is going to execute it.

You are a student of business management. Will that be of any advantage in your chosen career?

I think education helps you in time management that is vital in life. It will help me to make the right decisions. On the other hand, I don't think actors suffer any major disadvantages just because they are not highly educated.

What was your childhood like as a star son?

We had an absolutely normal childhood. Ekta and I were certainly not privileged star kids. Even today, I look upon acting like any other job and give it my best shot. It is the media that treats me like a star kid only because they have to fill their pages with exciting stuff!

You have worked as an assistant director. Do you plan to direct a film, too?

If I feel the passion to direct or produce films after I have settled down as an actor, then I may venture into those fields.

What is the rapport you share with your costar?

I have known Kareena for a very long time. Apart from our families being part of the industry, we have common friends and we keep bumping into each other.

Why do you think your family is compartmentalised in the media industry - your sister and mother are involved in the television media while your father and you are stuck to the big screen?

(Laughs) Like my father, I have been exposed to films and everything about them at close quarters. I have also interacted with my Chacha who is a distributor. My father was always attracted to films; so am I.

Your dad made it from scratch after doing roles as an extra. Relatively speaking, you have an easy break without a struggle. What do you think?

I disagree with that statement. I admit that I have never had a hand-to-mouth existence, but I have struggled in my own way. I lived alone in the USA where I was certainly not a star son. After I came here, I worked as a very raw and junior assistant director.

Finally, I got my first film -- for which there were many candidates -- only because I suited the role. And I am still not a star. I am aspiring to be one and have a long way to go.