Stag party

On Tuesday afternoon Anil Kapoor not known to throw open the doors for too many social occasions, hosted a very special small and intimate lunch for his co-stars of Anees Bazmi’s No Problem.

There was just one problem. The female co-stars Sushmita Sen, Kangna Ranaut and Neetu Chandra were not invited for the wrap-up lunch at Anil Kapoor’s office.

This was a bit odd considering wrap -up parties are meant for the entire crew.The ladies being a must since they add a glamour quotient.

Even the director was missing from what seems to be the most exclusive wrap-up party in the history of Indian cinema.

Says Anil stubbornly, “No no. Only Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna and I were there from the cast. There were a few other associates. But that’s it. We wanted it to be a stag party. Just so that Sanju, Akshaye and I could bond araam se, just have a boys’ afternoon.”

The “boys” spoke about things that are generally avoided when ladies are around.

So why was Anees left out?

Chuckles Anil, “How can Anees be left out? He has left for Canada to shoot with my daughter Sonam for Thank You. Anees is like family.

I’ve done three comedies No Entry, Welcome and now No Problem with him. And just when No Problem was complete he starts shooting with Sonam. So you see, there’s a family tie with Anees.”

Anil lets out that he was responsible for Anees turning director. “It happened during the shooting of Mr Azaad 16 years ago.

The director T Rama Rao was unavailable for a week. I suggested Anees who had scripted the film, take over for that one week. Even then I knew what Anees was capable of.”

Apparently Anees would also like to launch Anil’s son Harsh. Says Anil, “It’s too early to think of that. Harsh has not decided what he wants to do.”

The wrap-up party for No Problem was over-due. “We rushed back from South Africa after the shooting. We had no time for a party.

So I decided we boys should get together in Mumbai. I won’t call it a farewell party. Sanju, Akshaye and I are too close to disperse after a movie.”

So, No Problem shooting is complete. Great news.

Jaldi Five with Akshaye

Your best film till date? Why?

Dil Chahta Hai and Gandhi My Father. Dil Chahta Hai has established me in the industry in a new way. And Gandhi, My Father is something which I enjoyed doing.

What do you appreciate most in woman?

Kindness and silence. Beauty, of course, and cooking skills. The latter is very high on the list.

Do you have any OCDs?

I don’t like noise. I have no OCDs of the kind that will make you laugh.

What are the things that complete your days?

A good workout, especially in the outdoors. I am the one who doesn’t do a workout to lose weight, but because I love doing it, and that’s when I enjoy it.

What kind of a person were you in your childhood?

I used to be a stupid, little boy, not fully understanding the responsibility of being a professional. But now I am grown up. Films are something where you cant afford to be a pain in the ass.