Steven Spielberg is king, says director Abhishek Kapoor

Three of director Abhishek Kapoor’s favourite movies include Mystic River, Schindler’s List, and the Hindi blockbuster Sholay.

Each of these three movies holds a special relevance for him. “Mystic River has been directed by Clint Eastwood, who is my favourite Hollywood director. The movie unfolds in such a fine way, with no bit of extra manipulation that it grips the viewer,” he says.

This is a story about childhood friends Jimmy Markum, Sean Devine and Dave Boyle who reunite following the death of Jimmy’s daughter. Sean’s a police detective on the case, gathering disturbing evidence. He’s also tasked with handling Jimmy’s rage and need for revenge.

He is also enthralled by the genius of director Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List.

What leaves him awe-struck is the fact that Spielberg managed to come up with Schindler’s List at the same time while he directed the blockbuster thriller Jurassic Park. “I am so mesmerised by his versatility,” he adds. Schindler’s List is the true story of Czech born Oskar Schindler, a businessman who tries to make his fortune during the Second World War by exploiting cheap Jewish labour.

But he ends up penniless having saved over 1000 Polish jews from almost certain death during the Holocaust.

“As for Sholay, I fall short of words to appreciate it.” The Rock On director, who watches some 15 movies in a month, looks for purity in every film, and watches any movie that he can lay his hands on.

Though he admits to enjoying comedy to the core, “The idea of directing a comedy has still not crossed my mind,” he speaks.  
Talking about how films are now being inspired by books, Kapoor feels, “If a book has a good story, it can definitely be made into a good flick too.” He now finds it difficult to watch movies for the sole purpose of entertainment. “Each film seems more of a study instead,” he says.