After recognizing the immense star potential in director Farhan Akhtar , filmmaker Abhishek Kapoor convinced him to star in the mega blockbuster Rock On! that went on to win a National award .
Soon after Akhtar swept multiple awards for his performances, something that Kapoor was confident about when he recognized the actor in him.
Abhishek Kapoor’s Kai Po Che that marked Sushant Singh Rajput’s debut ,went on to become the most talked about film in 2013 not just for its relevant subject and treatment but also because a star was born with Sushant Singh Rajput. 4 years later , the two who share a truly commendable partnership teamed up for Kedarnath, which was also Sara Ali Khan’s massive launch pad.
The young actress walked away with rave reviews for the film and is already one of the most sought after stars. All this despite being just a film old, speaking volumes for Kapoor’s knack of recognizing, mentoring and nurturing talent.
Says a trade source, ” Abhishek Kapoor is known to have a keen eye for talent. He launched names like Farhan Akhtar as an actor ( Rock On) , Sushant Singh Rajput ( Kai Po Che) , Rajkummar Rao ( Kai Po Che) and now Sara Ali Khan ( Kedarnath) , all of whom are bonafide stars. Kapoor recognizes talent when he sees it and grooms and nurtures it to its full potential. He is a fine mentor ,whether its conducting workshops , grooming them on their screen presence, right down to conversations and all else that goes into making a great actor”.
When contacted said Abhishek Kapoor, “Casting newcomers is not a deliberate move but a natural process and that is how it should be. I guess I’ve been successful at it because my intention has always been to make my film and tell the story. New talent from my films have always emerged as a byproduct of the films.. They have to be right for the character and give it 100%. If any story demands a fresh face i won’t hold back.. Besides, as a film maker it gives me the opportunity to contribute to the pool of talent in the industry.”