For season 2 of TV series '24', Anil Kapoor to sport a beard

Anil Kapoor has already started prepping for the second season of 24. This time, his character Jai Singh Rathore will sport a long beard, which he’s growing out naturally.

Says Anil, “I am working out a completely different look for the second season of 24. I am experimenting with various looks and how long I want to keep the beard. I will finalise my final look through various look tests. Abhinay Deo, Rensil D’Silva and I have all sat down and felt that my character has to have one.”

Anil has sported beards in films like Benaam Badshaah and Apraadhi, but artificial ones. He says, “Today’s generation doesn’t like anything artificial. But If I am growing a long beard, I can’t sign films as you can only do one thing at a time, so there’s a possibility that I might miss a few films which I would have loved to do. I have been getting many offers from friends and producers I wanted to work with; I’ve had to decline because of my commitment to 24 and my look. This will be for six to eight months till shooting ends.”

People have been talking about the delay in the launch of 24 Season 2. “There is no delay. It’s on time. I had to finish many things — from the shooting of Dil Dhadakne Do and Welcome Back, then the 24 contracts had to be signed with channel and cast. It’s a mammoth show and these things take time. Now I am completely into it. We launch October 15 and start shooting November 1 onwards.”

Has he had the time to enjoy his successes? “There has been no time for anything! I am travelling to Los Angeles now. I haven’t been able to go there for quite some time and I have lots of meetings lined up — including creative meetings with the 24 team — as soon as I land in LA with my business partners. I have completely moved on from DDD and Welcome Back to 24. ”