Image was shared on Instagram. (courtesy: animalthefilm)

Mumbai:

Villains make the narrative attention-grabbing however not like the black and white portrayal of destructive characters prior to now, they’re given a backstory in cinema at present, says veteran actor Prem Chopra.

The 88-year-old actor, who embodied evil males of all shades within the movies of the 70s and 80s, is being praised for his visitor look in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal.

Chopra mentioned the destructive characters weren’t justified in motion pictures earlier and gave the instance of his 1973 hit Bobby. Directed by Raj Kapoor, the movie starred Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia within the lead.

“In those days, we were stamped as the bad guys… It was in a straight way, whether Prem Chopra, Amrish Puri, Pran sahab or anyone else, it was like, ‘Yeh gadbad karne wale hain’ (people knew that we were up to some mischief),” the veteran actor instructed PTI in an interview.

“Like, in Bobby, I just had one dialogue and that became very popular. Raj (Kapoor) didn’t have to explain. People knew that he was going to do something,” he said, recalling his most famous dialogue, “Prem naam hai mera, Prem Chopra”.

But in “Animal”, Chopra said a reason has been given for Ranbir’s revenge in the film.

“The narrative was made attention-grabbing due to the destructive characters (prior to now). It is identical even now. They are an important a part of the movie. Now-a-days, the distinction is each destructive character has a purpose, how and why he has turn into a villain.

“In Animal, there’s a reason why he (Ranbir) is like this and that’s because his father was shot and he had to take revenge,” the actor mentioned.

Directed by Vanga of Arjun Reddy fame, Animal showcases a violent world set in opposition to the backdrop of a troubled relationship between Ranvijay and his father Balbir Singh, performed by Anil Kapoor.

Chopra, whose profession has spanned 60 years that noticed him function in lots of outstanding motion pictures equivalent to Do Raaste, Purab aur Paschim, Teesri Manzil, Kati Patang, Souten and Trishul, performs the function of the elder brother of Ranbir Kapoor’s grandfather The cinema veteran believes the viewers has turn into extra appreciative of a great efficiency, no matter a constructive or a destructive function.

“People have become emancipated, they appreciate it if you give a good reason. Sometime back, people were not able to adjust to the actors who were playing the negative characters.

“When an individual (who typically performs a) destructive character is enjoying a constructive character, they’d doubts. In Hollywood, the actors are accepted in each (sorts of) roles, whole destructive or whole constructive, the efficiency issues. TV and all that (referring to OTT platforms) have made them (the viewers) extra literate about this stuff,” he observed.

The actor also praised Ranbir for his performance in the action drama. Animal marks the second collaboration between the duo after the 2009 comedy-drama “Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year”.

“Ranbir is a very hardworking actor and performed so well in ‘Rocket Singh’. In this film (‘Animal’), he is tremendous. He has done a great job. It is a very difficult and complicated role.

“It is action-oriented however even then, his character has an excellent background (story). People appear to like him very a lot. Not simply him, even Bobby Deol is superb in a particular look. All of them are very impactful.” In motion pictures, Chopra has labored with 4 generations of the Kapoor household — from Prithviraj Kapoor, Raj Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor, and Kareena Kapoor Khan and Ranbir Kapoor in recent times.

All his co-stars from the Kapoor clan are thorough professionals however his most-favourite was Rishi Kapoor, who handed away in April 2020 after a battle with leukemia.

“Some of them gave nice performances, like, Prithviraj ji was generally known as the nice actor, then Raj Kapoor was a recognized celebrity and a genius director. Shammi Kapoor had his personal fashion of working. But it was Rishi Kapoor I preferred probably the most.

“He was very involved when he was working. He would fit into any character easily. He was a great asset to any film that he was working on,” he added.

The actor said he has experienced his fair share of highs and lows, but has managed to survive in the film industry.

“I’ve been in the profession for more than the last 60 years. I’m grateful to God. I’ve never been unfair with my work. Every film for me was a test. I’m very hardworking, honest, and determined. There have been a lot of embarrassments and controversies but you have to continue doing your work,” he said.

Going forward, Chopra said he is looking forward to doing selective work, something like American icon Marlon Brando’s character in the Hollywood classic Godfather.

“I’m open to good roles. It must be very selective,” he added.