At a time when few veteran actors get the opportunity to headline feature films, Annu Kapoor leads Uttar Da Puttar. The film, directed by Ravinder Siwach and produced by Sandiip Kapoor, explores the conflict between science and blind faith through a physics professor whose obsession with the occult gradually consumes his life.

He says, “On one hand, my character believes in science, while on the other, he is deeply obsessed with occult practices. That contradiction is the very soul of the story. His belief gradually turns into an obsession, and eventually that obsession begins to destroy his life.”

Experience, Kapoor believes, doesn’t eliminate pre-release nerves. He says, “A certain amount of scepticism is always healthy. Overconfidence destroys people. An actor should always remain on guard, no matter how experienced they are. If you stop being alert, you lose the adrenaline that keeps you alive as a performer. We are nervous, we are hopeful, and we have our fingers crossed.”

When asked about competing with younger stars at the box office, he replies, “Physically, I can’t compete with the younger generation. Their youth and looks are unmatched. But if the competition is about acting, they’ll have to think ten times before standing opposite me.”

Kapoor believes the best collaborations are built on trust and dialogue rather than ego, which is why he finds it difficult to understand actors who try to overshadow directors or mistake stardom for ownership of a film.

He says, “That’s insecurity. Unko lagta hai ki hum crore rupaye lete hain toh success is their slave. But that’s a huge illusion. Every actor must respect the director. You should have conversations with your director and even debate your point of view if necessary, but never at the cost of the shooting schedule or the producer’s money.”

He adds, “In my case, if I feel I have a suggestion, I discuss it respectfully. I never want to become a troublemaker on set. Fortunately, most directors have trusted my experience because they know I speak for the benefit of the film, not just my own character.”