Sanjay Kapoor plays the lead role in the drama ‘House of Lies’, airing on Zee5, which depicts the dark world of deception and corporate greed. Known for his versatile roles in Hindi cinema, Kapoor brings a nuanced performance to this intense narrative, showcasing his acting prowess and adding depth to the complex story.

In an exclusive interview with IndiaToday.in, Sanjay spoke about what it means to be an actor in today’s times, his second innings and the satisfaction he gets from getting his work appreciated.

Excerpt from the interview:

Do you feel you have gained more credibility as an actor in your second innings, as people today appreciate your acting, which perhaps didn’t happen often in your early days?

Yes, today when my name is part of a project, the audience expects something interesting. But it didn’t happen overnight. It is hard work and I have given a lot in the last 30 years. So, things like this don’t come just by working in a few films and giving a successful film. Also, people have seen my ups and downs and they appreciate it. It is difficult to come to OTT and films today because there are so many options. There are so many projects, as well as options. Everyone is looking for new casting, so it is also tough to break in and still stay relevant.

How can one stay relevant in today’s times?

You have to find a balance. You have to be smart enough to keep working, because if you don’t work, you will go out of circulation and out of the news. And if you get an option to do versatile roles, go for it. I have been very fortunate, apart from the variety of roles, I have worked with the best directors available in the country, whether it was Ali Abbas Zafar for ‘Bloody Daddy’ or Homi Adajania for ‘Murder Mubarak’ or Sriram Raghavan for ‘Merry Christmas’. A lot of credit goes to the films that I am doing, the people that I am working with, because that is why I think I have such a diverse body of work.

Does this also mean that sometimes you have to say ‘no’?

Yes, sometimes it is very difficult to refuse because there are a lot of egos involved. At times people don’t understand, but I make an effort to talk to them personally, go to their office and tell them even if I am refusing a project. After working for 30 years and being born in this field, I understand how to manage it. For example, before I was offered ‘Bloody Daddy’, Ali had called me for ‘Tandav Season 2’. But that didn’t happen because I wasn’t completely happy with what I was offered. I remember I met him personally, and I told him, ‘Ali, I would love to work with you, but I am not at this level to do something like this.’ But hats off to him, he didn’t take it personally and when a good role came, he offered it to me. After all, everyone wants to work. Everyone wants to make a good film.

Do you think people are paying more attention to you as an actor now?

I completely agree with this. It is also because of my strong will. It is my hard work and not losing faith even if the good work is not appreciated. But you should keep moving forward. I remember I got a lot of appreciation for ‘Luck By Chance’ but after that I did not sign any film for a year. Sometimes luck also plays a big role. Surprisingly today when things are going well, I am getting credit for those films too. People are also talking about ‘Luck By Chance’. You should keep working hard and you should stay positive by considering your glass as half full.