New Delhi: Actor-producer Anil Kapoor says he never took a break in his 38-year-long journey in Bollywood as he was advised by megastar Amitabh Bachchan to never "commit such a mistake".
"I always look up to Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Naseeruddin Shah and Kamal Hassan, who are great actors," Anil said on the TV show "Aap Ki Adalat".
"Amit ji took a five-year break after doing 'Khuda Gawaah'. He had gone to New York to live a normal life. I had gone there while shooting for 'Meherbaan'. I met and told him, I was tired after working for 25 years in films, and wanted a break.
"Amit ji told me, ‘Never commit such a mistake in life. Never take a break (from films).' I went back and immediately signed two new films. I have never taken a break in my 38-year-long career," he added.
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Anil said that one of the greatest moments of his life was to "receive the coveted Oscar (for 'Slumdog Millionaire') on stage".
"All actors or directors across the world nurse a dream to receive an Oscar. I had a small role in the film. This feeling of joy shall remain in my heart till the end," he said.
"Receiving the National Award for 'Pukaar' was also a great moment for me. The film was quite underrated and it did not fare well because at that time Hrithik Roshan's film 'Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai' had become a big hit. When I got the National Award, I felt redeemed and I realised that the fruits of labour are indeed sweet," he added.
Anil's daughter Sonam Kapoor was honoured with a National Award earlier this year for her role in "Neerja".
Asked how he felt when Sonam won the award, Anil said: "For me, that moment gave me greater joy than the Oscar moment. When I saw my daughter walking up the stage and receiving the award from (then) President Pranab Mukherjee, it was a blissful moment for me."
"Aap Ki Adalat" airs on India TV.