StarTalk with Tusshar Kapoor
“I do believe in the science of astrology a lot, though strangely enough I am not the kind of a person who likes to indulge in it all the time twenty four hours a day….”
Do you believe in astrology? To what extent has this belief changed your course of life as an actor as well as a human being?
I do believe in the science of astrology a lot, though strangely enough I am not the kind of a person who likes to indulge in it all the time twenty four hours a day. I believe that there is something, which is controlling our destiny, and astrology is one way to know what is destined for us, whether we like it or not. Your belief may change the course of your life positively or negatively depending upon how you perceive astrology.
Did you add another alphabet ’s’ to your name and change your name to Tusshar Kapoor just because of your strong belief in numerology?
I added the letter ’s’ to my name only because my mother was insistent that a double ’s’ in my name would change the course of my destiny and prove to be lucky for me as far as my career is concerned. Though frankly speaking I decided to add a ’s’ to my name and changed my name from Tushar to Tusshar only for the sake of my mum to please her, the fact is that my very first film Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai with Kareena Kapoor as my leading lady clicked in a big way at the box office when it was released with my name in the titles as Tusshar Kapoor instead of Tushar Kapoor.
To what extent do you make it a point to listen to what astrologers foretell or for that matter tarot card readers advise you?
Tarot Card Reader Sunita Menon is our family friend. In fact my elder sister Ekta does not even launch any serial of hers before she consults Sunita and asks her opinion about the auspicious dates and timings. I have met Sunita several times, whenever I have been to her place or she has come to ours. I listen to her advice but have always taken that casually without letting that affect my life or peace of mind. If Sunita asks me not to embark on any particular task on a particular day or asks me to sign a particular film on a particular date, I make it a point to listen to her.
To what extent do you tend to attribute truth to the predictions you have heard about you?
My entire family believes a lot in things like astrology, palmistry, tarot card reading, Feng Shui etc. In fact my sister makes it a point to have a title, which begins the alphabet K for all the serials, which she is producing. My mum is also a staunch believe in numerology and astrology. However I would say that though I believe in astrology, I do not at all let it affect me in any way as far as my life is concerned. I am happy in life. Instead of letting negative things about me affect my life, I take the predictions in a positive way to add to the positivity in my life.
Would you like to proffer some astro-advice for your fans?
My astro-advice to all my fans is that you should trust astrology because the fact is that there is a science which is beyond human understanding but at the same time do not take it to your heart to such an extent that you become depressed. Do not let astrology affect you in a negative way because in that case, you may only end up harming your life.
Have you ever visited an astrologer? What has the experience been like?
Several astrologers have prophesied to me that my career would brighten up when I turned 27. It did and I started getting good appreciation from both critics as well as cine-goers alike. In fact I have also been told that when I touch the age of 30, my career as an actor will rocket sky high. I am hoping the prophecy will ring true and keeping my fingers crossed.
What is your advice to those who are fanatic as far as astrology is concerned?
It is very important not to get misled by frauds who masquerade as ‘genuine’ astrologers. If you want to believe in astrology or tarot cards or for that matter palmistry, do not let any one on earth stop you from indulging in it. It is a free country where you can pursue whatever you want to and no one can take away that freedom away from you. There is no harm in believing in astrology and astrologers but make sure that you go to a person who you can trust implicitly, and avoid falling in the trap of tantriks or frauds, who are likely to mislead you and leave you down in the dumps.
Tell us about any particular incident in your life that has ended up strengthening your belief in super powers above us?
After my first film Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai clicked in a big way, I got carried away and when producers approached me with tempting offers, I had ended up signing quite a few films, which did not click at the box office. I realized I was caught in the wrong foot and yearned for a good solo film with a big banner because I had acted in films like Yeh Dil, Shart, etc which were mistakes on my part and was worried that I’d be saddled with only multi star films where I was one of the actors in the film, like Khakee. I listened to my dad’s advice and visited Tirupati and prayed to God that he should enable me to get my hand on a big banner and hey presto when I reached Mumbai, my joy knew no bounds when producer-director Ramgopal Varma himself called me and offered me the lead role in his film Gayab.
