Tusshar Kapoor recently starred in Ahmed Khan’s Welcome To The Jungle. His role alongside Akshay Kumar left an indelible mark. While he is overwhelmed by the response, there is also an apprehension about standing out among an ensemble cast. As Tusshar completes 25 years in showbiz, he talks to mid-day about his journey and reflects on the pressure of being Jeetendra’s son.
Tusshar on Welcome To The Jungle success
Reacting to the overwhelming response to Welcome To The Jungle, Tusshar Kapoor said the love that the film has been receiving has been both gratifying and overwhelming. “It’s really overwhelming but very gratifying. People are loving the characters, and they’re going again and again to watch it. It’s spreading like wildfire,” he shared.
Reflecting on working with a massive ensemble cast of 34 actors, many of whom are known for their sharp wit and comic timing, Tusshar described the experience as less like work and more like a reunion.
Having been a part of several successful ensemble films, from the Golmaal and Dhamaal franchises to Welcome To The Jungle, Tusshar Kapoor was asked whether he ever worries about getting overshadowed in a cast packed with stars. To this, he responded, “You don’t fear getting overshadowed. But you do have anxiety about standing out. You want to be noticed and get your due.”
Tusshar Kapoor on 25 years in the industry
Reflecting on completing 25 years in the film industry, Tusshar Kapoor described the journey as one filled with both challenges and rewarding moments.
Looking back at the early years of his career, the actor admitted he misses the way films were released and experienced. “What I miss about that era is that you lived the entire process of releasing a film. Whether it was a success or a failure, you got to experience the journey and see it through properly,” he shared, contrasting it with the fast-paced nature of the industry today.
Reflecting on dealing with the highs and lows of showbiz, Tusshar Kapoor said watching his father, Jeetendra, navigate an unpredictable career helped shape his outlook. “I’ve seen my father’s journey go up and down and up and down. So I don’t get very carried away with success, and neither do I get dejected when there’s a lull because I know that’s part of this profession,” he said. While he admitted to being “anxious” and “an overthinker,” the actor added that he has learned to stay grounded.
Tusshar on the pressure of being Jeetendra’s son
Opening up about the pressures of being veteran actor Jeetendra’s son, Tusshar Kapoor admitted that being born into a film family came with its own set of expectations. “There is an expectation. There is a baggage. There is a lot of unsolicited advice that comes your way — that because you are from a film family, you have to be a certain way,” he said.
The actor, who describes himself as an introvert, revealed that he struggled to fit the conventional image of a “star son” and instead chose to focus on his work. “I’m very unlike what one would expect a star son to be like. I just focused on work. What I do in my personal life, how I am in my personal life, should not be anybody’s business. It was hard, but I had to block that noise out. Over the years, I’ve learned that,” he shared.
When asked about bizarre advice he received in his career, Tusshar said, “I was told, ‘You’ve got to be acting when you’re not acting also.’ But I couldn’t deal with it. I used to ignore it and just focus on my work,” he said, adding that his journey has reinforced his belief that “eventually, what you see on screen is what matters.”
He further pointed out that while outsiders are often perceived to face immense pressure in the industry, insiders deal with their own challenges as well. “They say outsiders are pressured a lot. But even as an insider, I was told you’ve got to be a certain way, go to parties, be in the news. So this pressure is for us too,” he concluded.
Tusshar on the success of the Golmaal franchise
Having previously described the Golmaal franchise as the “lifeline” of his career, Tusshar Kapoor looked back at its phenomenal success with immense gratitude. The actor said the first thought that comes to his mind is to thank director Rohit Shetty for believing in him and giving him the freedom to shape his character.
Tusshar also expressed his excitement about returning for the fifth instalment of the franchise, adding that he is looking forward to reuniting with the team.