I’m not surprised Anil Kapoor dodged Covid-19 yesterday. While his costars Varun Dhawan and Neetu Kapoor, and director Raj Mehta, who were to begin shooting their family comedy Jug Jugg Jeeyo in Chandigarh tested positive, the old Bollywood warhorse was untouched by the virus. Gorgeous Kiara Advani is also part of the film. I can’t bring you her medical report. But Anil, who is energy plus at 63 and restless when idle, returned home last night. Early this morning he must have working out on Juhu Beach, shirtless, burning calories, and also making men half his age burn with envy.
There is something about Al Pacino in Anil. Pacino is 80. And he’s Anil’s fave Hollywood actor. Robert de Niro, who is 77, even.
I remember Anil telling me about them, “They are great actors and watchable stars. Many great actors, you don’t want to watch on screen. But these guys, their acting appeals to everybody. And they are stars in their own right, I love watching their films, they are good looking men, and both very charismatic.”
That’s the word for Anil, too. He is roguishly charismatic. And youthful. Jhakaas also, which is Anil’s copyrighted definition of perfection on the screen. Covid had no chance against him.
I once had breakfast with him at Taj. He sprinted up two flights to scrambled eggs and multi-grain toast, yelling at me over his shoulder, “When your hands are full, you don’t need to work on fitness.”
Later told me the secret of his youthful looks and boundless energy was work and workouts. “This profession keeps you young and energetic,” Anil said, “but I also have a good time, I party and binge, I don’t lead a disciplined life. And I workout like mad too, six days a week. I do weights, cardio, yoga, anything that makes me feel fresh. I swim, cycle, play a different sport each day. Actors should realize that people are paying to see them. If they don’t perform well, it can’t be helped, but they must look good on screen.”
Source: Mark Manuel
Amir Hashmi 