Omkar Kapoor: I’m sure I will get a chance to shine again

Once one of Bollywood’s popular child actors, Omkar Kapoor grew up in front of the camera, featuring in films such as Judwaa, Hero No 1 and Judaai. Years later, he made a confident return to the big screen as a parallel lead in Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2 (2015). While the film emerged as a box-office success and his performance was appreciated, the momentum he had hoped for did not follow. Looking back at that phase, Omkar says, “People saw the potential in me, but somewhere it did not translate into opportunities. I guess it is a matter of time and that one right opportunity. I am 100 percent confident that I will get the chance to shine again.”Asked whether the industry finds it difficult to view former child artistes as leading men, and about the challenge of rebuilding screen identity as an adult actor, Omkar tells us, “I don’t think there is resistance towards someone transitioning from a child actor to a leading actor. It is more about luck and opportunities. A lot depends on how you are presented. Look at how Bhatt sa’ab (Mahesh Bhatt) presented Kunal Kemmu. Similarly, I had a strong presentation in Pyaar Ka Punchnama.”According to him, the real struggle lies in getting roles that align with an actor’s strengths. “The toughest part is getting the kind of work you want to do. As an actor, you understand your strengths and weaknesses, but convincing filmmakers about what you can do best is difficult. Often, it becomes more about fitting into a mould than showcasing your strengths.”Reflecting on whether staying away from industry networking may have affected his journey, Omkar says, “Maybe not being an extrovert has not worked in my favour. I have never believed in attending parties just to be seen. I prefer meeting people in their offices and having meaningful conversations that can lead to work.”