Kunal Kapoor’s Candid Confession: Fear During His Four-Year Hiatus

Actor Kunal Kapoor recently spoke candidly about the anxieties he faced during his four-year hiatus from the silver screen. In an exclusive interview, Kapoor revealed his fear of fading from public memory after consciously choosing to step away from repetitive roles.

Kapoor, whose last prominent role was in the well-received series ‘The Empire’ where he portrayed Emperor Babur, admitted that the extended break was challenging. He confessed to a common concern among actors: the possibility of being forgotten by filmmakers if they are not consistently visible.

“It’s been difficult,” Kapoor stated, reflecting on the time away. “I have had to let go of a lot of work. People often ask me, ‘Why are you not seen enough?’ or ‘Are you afraid that out of sight is out of mind?’ Honestly, it is a fear when you are letting go of work that you might not be ¹ top of mind for filmmakers if you are not seen enough.”  

Despite this underlying worry, Kapoor maintained that he was unwilling to compromise his artistic integrity by accepting roles that offered nothing new. He emphasized that the true joy of acting lies in exploring diverse characters and perspectives. He acknowledged the delicate balance actors must strike between maintaining visibility and pursuing creatively fulfilling projects. Sometimes, he explained, taking on certain projects is necessary simply to remain in the public eye and be considered for significant films, hoping these opportunities will eventually lead to more challenging and growth-oriented roles.

Addressing the perception of being overly selective, Kapoor laughed and admitted it’s a label he’s heard before. He recounted instances where directors have jokingly called him “very choosy,” a description he doesn’t entirely agree with. For Kapoor, the allure of being on a film set is undeniable, and he believes actors inherently desire to be seen, not hidden. He clarified that his selectivity stems not from playing hard to get, but from the scarcity of truly compelling scripts. He expressed that if offered the kind of work he seeks, he would gladly be on set continuously, as that is where he finds the greatest satisfaction.

Kapoor likened his experience during the break to being a talented player on a football team, constantly on the bench during an exciting match, eager to participate but not getting the chance. He shared a significant realization he had later in his career: that visibility often holds more weight than sheer talent when it comes to securing opportunities in the film industry. Filmmakers, he noted, need to see actors regularly to keep them in consideration for various roles.

However, Kapoor was quick to point out that his time away from acting was far from unproductive. He revealed that he dedicated this period to developing scripts that resonated with him. He established a writers’ room and has been actively involved in creating projects that he intends to either produce or star in. These ventures are currently in various stages of development, indicating a continued deep engagement with the world of filmmaking, albeit behind the scenes.

Now, Kunal Kapoor is marking his return to the screen with the recently released Netflix film ‘Jewel Thief‘. Looking ahead, he is also set to make his Telugu debut in the film ‘Vishwambara’, where he will reportedly have significant screen time alongside megastar Chiranjeevi. Additionally, Kapoor has an undisclosed role in the highly anticipated ‘Ramayana’, directed by Nitesh Tiwari and starring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash. These upcoming projects signal a new chapter for Kapoor, one where he hopes to balance his artistic aspirations with a renewed presence in front of the camera.