EXCLUSIVE: Tusshar Kapoor on ‘Golmaal 5’, limelight on star kids, parenthood and more

Actor Tusshar Kapoor has managed to carve a niche for himself in the genre of comedy successfully with his character of a mute Lucky in the popular ‘Golmaal’ franchise. With the entrant of a little new member in the family, Tusshar has been dividing his time and attention towards his little munchkin Laksshya and his work commitments. So, as we engaged in an exclusive chat with the actor, he spoke candidly about ‘Golmaal 5’, limelight on the star kids, parenting and much more. Catch it here.

After having completed almost 17 years in Bollywood, how would you describe your journey so far?

You know it’s very hard to describe an actor’s journey as we are never satisfied. So, in regards to satisfaction, definitely there’s miles to go but I think I haven’t got any raw deal from the audience for the amount of hard work I put in. I think they have appreciated my work in that sense and I’m one of the few fortunate actors to have started with a solo hit, a solo hero film which did really well.

Unfortunately, the successes after that have been even bigger than that but not in the solo-hero space which is not in my control. But, I have got no complaints really because it’s a good mixed bag of hits, superhits, average movies, flops, all kinds of films. So, no complaints really and I think the journey can’t be complete without mentioning my son. Because he also has been a part of the journey and he also has been accepted by Bollywood so warmly. So, the journey has only gotten better every year.

Speaking of your son Laksshya, do you think he will also follow in the family’s footsteps and become an actor?

I don’t really know. I want to give him the kind of education that would be good for him and wherein he would be able to really think freely and decide what he would want to do. I don’t want to give him an education wherein he is just studying to get grades and then it becomes obvious that okay, the next thing is that he would become an actor. So, I want to give him an education wherein he thinks out-of-the-box and he is able to find his own inner voice.

Image Source - Instagram@tusshark89

Talking further of star kids, these days paparazzi is everywhere clicking the little ones. Does it make you uncomfortable for your son’s privacy?

I think it’s fine as long as there isn’t an overdose. But, what is an overdose is a very subjective question you know. I’m okay because it’s something that’s inevitable and if he had to be really hidden away from the cameras and the arc-lights which is part of my life and if he’s in my life then that’s going to happen. If I had to hide him from all that then I think it would probably be more confusing. In the future, he would not really understand what this is about. At the same time, he will be or not be in it. Rather let him be the way the world is and how it flows naturally which is just accepting it as it is rather than planning to keep him away. I think he won’t really be affected if there is limelight or there isn’t, he would be okay both ways.

Being a single parent, how challenging is it for you?

It’s not very challenging I would say because it’s something that I enjoy doing and I feel happy and liberated and destressed when I’m with him. It’s definitely a lot of work, so it’s time-consuming and you have to be planned, you have to be on your toes quite often. But, I won’t call it hard work because hard work is something that you won’t enjoy. If this is something that really makes you feel fulfilled and makes you feel happy, it’s like a good project like you know when you love a him you’re doing, this is like a real life baby which is never going to end.

So, are there any plans of bringing another sibling for Laksshya?

Everyone has been telling me. My friends especially have been saying that ‘you should plan another one’. Because he will need a sibling, he will need somebody in the future. But, I think I’m just procrastinating, but, I should make some decision soon whether I want to or not. I shouldn’t delay it too further. If in case I want to become a parent again then I shouldn’t delay it too much.

Coming back to movies, ‘Golmaal Again’ turned out to be a success at the box office. Are there plans of another ‘Golmaal’ already?

Definitely, there is going to be another ‘Golmaal’ but the only question is when? And we all have our own predictions. My prediction was 2020 that there will be a ‘Golmaal’ releasing, but let’s see. Right now, Rohit is busy with ‘Simmba’ and I don’t know what he has planned after that. But, there is no way it’s not going to be made. So yes, I think he will make one soon. There won’t be a long gap like the third to the fourth, it will be lesser of a gap.

During the promotions of ‘Golmaal Again’, in an interview you had said that you won’t be associating yourself with adult comedies hereon. Are you still firm on it?

I’m not clear about what is allowed and what’s not. There is a lack of clarity as to what would be censored and what wouldn’t. And till I think we are clear there that you know how much can be accepted as far as the authorities are concerned, we shouldn’t attempt an adult comedy. I would love to do it, but only when you know that how far can you go. As for the ‘Kyaa Kool Hain Hum’ franchise, I would love to do it, but without cheating the audience.

ALTBalaji is doing really well. Will we see you in any of their shows soon?

You never know. Not necessarily in the ones that are already on air. But, something I would love to talk about it more when it’s confirmed. But yes, there are talks. Not with ALT really but with the producer outside of Balaji and it might stream on ALT. So, there is something that I’ve said yes to regarding the web series world.

Can you speak about your upcoming projects?

I’m still deciding because I think ‘Golmaal Again’ just put you in a spot you know that you have to be careful. You can’t be doing ‘Golmaal’ so well and suddenly you come up with something that isn’t a good follow-up. So, as I said I have said yes to something in the digital space, but I haven’t really said yes to anything as an actor yet. Hopefully, very soon there will be an announcement, but too soon to talk about it.

Lastly, it’s been 17 years but you still look the same. What’s the secret behind your fit physique?

I think I’m just too critical of myself so I always keep on correcting myself, I keep looking at my shots and keep saying I should be thinner, I should lose weight, I shouldn’t have eaten this. I think I’m just constantly correcting myself and trying to be better. So, probably that’s the reason why I’ve still maintained myself.

Prajakta Ajgaonkar

Passionate about writing, and a Bollywood lover, she is all that is sweet and endearing! She desires to put her best foot forward in everything that she does and loves to help anyone who’s in need.