Actor Kunal Kapoor says that even though the world around us has evolved so much, Shakespeare’s writing about human conditions, relationships and feelings are still so pertinent. By Team Viva
Do you have an affinity for Shakespeare, since you have been a part of Veeram (Macbeth adaptation) and now Noblemen, which has an element of Merchant of Venice?
Shakespeare is one of my favourite writers. It’s a dream for any actor to play a part based on his work because it’s so layered and complex. I find it amazing how after so many years, his themes and the characters that he wrote decades back are so relevant and universal. Even though the world around us has changed so much, his writing about the human condition, relationships and feelings are still so relevant.
How did you land this role in Noblemen? How did you get into the skin of the character?
Seher, producer of the film, is someone I have known for a while. She reached out to me. And then Vandana (Kataria, director) came by and narrated. I really liked the script. I was part of theatre groups in school as well as college and continue to do plays even now.
So I understand the world really well. I think the most important thing was to develop a relationship with the kids and we even did a workshop before we started. It gave me a chance to hang out with the kids and get to know each other. Also I had to change physically because I had just finished Veeram, for which I had packed on a lot of muscle-weight and I had to loose all that to look right for this part of a school teacher.
It is evident through the trailer that the film explores homosexuality, bullying of fellow students in educational institutions and revenge... There are many layers to it. So how did you understand it? What is the core theme of the film?
The most important thing for me was that when you leave the monsters in the society unchecked, they can end up creating even bigger monsters. And sometimes, the victim can eventually become the victimiser. And this is true not only for school and colleges, but it applies to the world around us. As a society, it’s very important for us to take a stand, when we see things that aren’t right.
How do you think such arthouse films create an impact on the society and its people?
Well, I think what’s most important for all of us associated with this film is that it gets people to think about issues such as bullying. I hope it sensitises people to the damage that it can do. And hopefully, out of that awareness, will come some action.
Why the title, Noblemen?
The title refers to what goes on in some institutions in the name of nobility. The warped notion of what being noble is. There is a code of secrecy between students, and if you break that code, you are considered a snitch.
This film is very realistic as compared to your previous ones... How different did it turn out for you as an actor?
The entire experience was very different. We had a limited budget for the film, so we had to live in the boarding school we shot at. And it was right in the middle of a freezing winter in Mussoorie. Everyone lined up early in the morning with buckets of water to go to the bathroom. It really felt like I was back in school. That for me is the joy of doing films. Each one is such a unique experience and I think there are very few professions that allow such experiences.
(Noblemen releases on June 28.)
