If you are wondering what prompted Kunal Kapoor into doing that two-minute walk-on part as Amrita Rao’s husband in Shyam Benegal’s Welcome To Sajjanpur then Kunal has no hesitation in saying he’s proud of the part.
"It was a lovely script. And I so wanted to be part of something done by Shyam Babu (Benegal). I’ve admired his work for as long as I can remember. When I came across the script I thought it was so lovely.
For me being part of good films is more important than playing a principal part. I haven’t seen the film. But know I’m hardly there. But working with Shyam Babu was so much fun.
I thought he’d be intimidating. But he had a grin on his face all the time. I was just happy to be part of a Shyam Benegal film. And so what if this was my second cameo in a row after Bachna Ae Haseenon?"
And then Kunal comes up with another reason for his presence in the superb Sajjanpur cast.
"Actually there’s a much less noble reason for why I did Sajjanpur. The producer Chetan Motiwalla is an old friend. I know him from the time I did my first film Meenakshi.
We had made a pact whichever film he makes first I’ll be a part of it. So not being in Sajjanpur was not an option. Since all the other roles were taken I said yes to Amrita Rao’s husband’s part."
Coincidentally Kunal also played a quiet out-of-sight husband’s cameo in Bachna Ae Haseenon. "What I liked about that guy was his quiet determination to win his wife’s love. Usually it’s the female spouse who shows such resilience. That made it fascinating. I had great fun shooting for this part in Punjab."
Kunal also got to play a Sikh for the first time. "I had played a Sardarji for a bit in Hat Trick. But then we changed my character to a Mona Sardar. So yes Bachna Ae Haeseenon was my first Sardarji’s part."
Kunal is not afraid of being typecast as a cameo king. "Sure, they can come to me with more cameo parts. But it’s my option to do them or not do them. In any case, like I said I’m not insecure about my career.
I’m not footage fanatic. I’m also in no hurry to sign films. I’m financially comfortable without having to sign in desperation. If you remember there was a long gap after my first film.
In fact I’m starting my next film Lamhaa with Sanjay Dutt and Bipasha Basu at the end of October. I’m using this time to prepare for my part."
