Kapoor, who surprised fans with his villainous turn as Rauf Lala in Karan Johar's revenge drama 'Agneepath', says actors are forced to retire after a certain age because the industry does not have enough space for them.

"Unfortunately, our films are very youth oriented. Leading artists are told to retire when they hit the age of 45. It is the age when they have great amount of experience but they are relegated to doing unimportant roles. But I have been lucky to get good roles and I am enjoying this phase of my career," said Kapoor.

The 59-year-old actor made a successful transition to character roles by giving commendable performances in movies like 'Love Aaj Kal', 'Luck By Chance' and 'Do Dooni Chaar'.

Kapoor, who started his journey as a leading man with "Bobby" in 1972, completed 40-years in Hindi film industry this year and he feels that his acting potential is being utilized now.

"I started as a child artist with 'Mera Naam Jokar' and became a hero at a very young age. In the 25-years of my career I only sang songs and romanced girls onscreen and did nothing else. No one gave me any acting assignment because people thought I was only good at romancing.

"I am playing now. I am experimenting with me, which every actor should do." Kapoor's negative role may have brought him critical acclaim but the actor was not convinced when he was first offered the character by debutant director Karan Malhotra. The actor agreed to take up the role only after an audition, his first in his career.

"I have played a negative character second time in my career and enjoyed it but the credit should go to director and producer. I had refused it when it was first offered to me because I was not sure. I went for a look test for the first time in my career and only then I said yes," he said.

The actor feels that the new mathematics has forced producers to bring back experienced actors as mushrooming multiplexes have brought different audiences.

Kapoor had directed 'Aa Ab Laut Chalen' in 1999 and he is not averse to going behind the camera again.