What were Wipro chief Azim Premji, former Miss India Vani Ganapathy, writer Dilip Thakore, disc jockey Vehrnon Ibrahim and stand-up comic and foodie Ajit Saldanha doing on Saturday night at Bangalore’s premier five star hotel Windsor Manor way back in 1999?
They had all come to say ‘hello; to the charismatic Bollywood actress, Dimple Kapadia. She was in town to inaugurate the exhibition of contemporary paintings on the invitation of Shreen Malani, the owner of Renaissance Gallery. When I met up with Kapadia, the actress-turned-maker of designer candles, I learnt that she is one self-effacing person who lived life on the slow lane.
At the time, she was looking forward to the release of Dil Chahta Hai where she is wooed by a person (played by Akshaye Khanna) much younger to her. I tried to find out if this had happened in her real life as well. Here are excerpts from the interview.
Is there real money in selling candles?
Well, not really. It’s just something I love doing to make it a household name.
Is candle-making the first step in your brand building exercise?
Yes. I have started with this and will diversify.
So what’s next? An e-commerce website?
I don’t know. Can’t say where I am heading. Even this candle thing just happened when my two daughters (Rinke and Twinkle, both Bollywood actresses) set up the business for me.
What is charity according to you?
Anything that makes someone else smile. (She contributed Rs 21,000 for the Multiple Schlerosis Society of India when she was in Bangalore)
Are you happy with life?
Yes but I look unhappy to a lot of people.
And why is that?
I don’t know.
I understand you are into painting as well. Is an exhibition on the cards?
I do paint. But an exhibition? Not in this life. But I want to do it in my next life.
Have you got any TV offers?
Many. But I did not accept them because I don’t see myself doing that kind of thing because it requires a lot of discipline. I don’t know what tomorrow will be like. It’s too constricted for me at this point.
Have you got any marriage proposals?
If you have received proposals for me, please send them. Why don’t you place an advertisement in the matrimonial section of your paper?
What should be the eligibility of your fiancé?
The only qualification is he should have at least a bank balance of Rs 100 crore. Age is no bar. Even 90 years will do.
Are you getting into politics like your ex-hubby Rajesh Khanna? (she divorced him in 1984)
No. I am now concentrating on my candle-making business that takes up all my time.
Has any fan written to you in his blood?
(Waves her hand) Never saw anyone doing something like that. It’s terrible. But yes, one guy did propose to my daughter Twinkle (now married to Bollywood hearthrob Akshay Kumar). He sent videotape and said he was good at dancing. He was being so foolish.
Are you net-savvy?
I know enough to get my way around.
Do you chat on the Net?
Chatting is boring to me. Some people are experts in it. Mere palle nahin padta chatting (I don’t understand chatting).
I understand you shed a lot of adipose for the Hindi movie Dil Chaahta Hai on the insistence of your daughters.
Yes I did. But the moment the shooting got over, I was back to normal, which is so sad.
You are 28-years-old in the film industry, right?
Yesssss! I forgot to celebrate my 25-years in films. Maybe, I will celebrate when I am 50.
What was the maturity level of Dimple in Bobby (1973) and what is it now?
I was more mature during the Bobby days. The more you work, the more you degenerate. Everything gets stylised. You get trapped into set patterns of perfection.
And why is that?
Characters are not well defined in films.
You mean there’s a dearth of good writers?
Yeah.
Ok, what do you read?
Self-help books. I don’t like fiction too much. It’s only once in a while that I read fiction.
What are you reading these days?
Something about setting goals in life.
When did you last come to Bangalore?
About four years ago for a shoot, I don’t remember which one.
What do you like about Bangalore?
I like the weather. It’s quiet and laidback. I love the way it looks… the greenery.
Who’s your favourite politician?
Are you joking? (half-smiles)
Who are your favourite actors?
Kamal Hassan and Amitabh Bachchan.
And actress?
(Ponders) I think Tabu is good.
Who is a better actress between your two daughters, Rinkie and Twinkle?
Are you crazy? Do you want to create chaos at home?
Ok, do you believe in religion?
Yes, but not in any practical form.
How do you unwind?
By going to mountainous regions and on long drives. Whenever I am out of town, I love going on long walks. Once when I was in Dalhousie, I walked for two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening. It’s unbelievable that I had such stamina.
You seem to live life on a day-to-day-basis. Does this mean you have never planned in your life?
Never planned. Period. I make quite a mess when I plan anything. Javedsaab (writer Javed Akhtar) tells me that 90% of the time, I don’t do what I intended to do. So when you know that you are not going to stick to the plan, it’s better not to plan.
How do you define Dimple?
Crazy. I am happy-go-lucky. Unfortunately most people don’t know that. But it’s true.