Ranbir is a star, I am just an actor

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Arjun Kapoor tells us why he prefers to keep a low-key profile

Arjun Kapoor is back from Ahmedabad after wrapping up the first schedule of Two States. He is impatient to see the first cut of Aurangzeb when we catch up with him at a suburban studio. Excerpts from the chat.

You are quite a star...
(Interrupts) I am an actor, not a star. When you are a star you can't venture out in public.

What really annoys you at a public place?
I have seen this profession from very close quarters and I know there are small prices to pay. But when I am having a bad day or spending a private moment, I do wish I could tell people to give me some space. Also, I think it's disrespectful to secretly click pictures of me. I prefer to come out and talk to people when I have work to talk about.

You play a double role in Aurangzeb. Is it a calculated risk?
Hrithik played a double role in his debut film, Kaho Na Pyaar Hai. But there, the two characters didn't share screen space, like my characters do in this one. Aditya Chopra finalised me for the film after watching the rushes of Ishaqzaade. And when a producer shows such faith in you, it bolsters your confidence. Risk or no risk, I just went for it with conviction.

You play the spoilt child of a rich father. Does it have any parallels to your life?
I am the antithesis of my onscreen character. I never got swayed by my background. Had I been a spoilt child of a renowned producer, I wouldn't have been half as hard working as I am.

You have got some steamy scenes with Sasheh in the film. In Ishaaqzade too, you had done an intimate scene with Parineeti. People have already started commenting on how you seem to be ...
(Interrupts) Apparently I have become some expert on it or done some 78 films. It's a rubbish tag.

But you pulled it off well...
I think anybody can pull it off. It's the most natural thing to do. When a man falls in love, the first thing he will do is to kiss the girl. I think Emraan has broken the myth. Also, the audience today is sensible and understands the context of a scene. The lovemaking scene was an integral to Ishaqzaade and was done aesthetically. We did not do it to add sleaze. Also,Ranbir has done it in every film. I don't think I deserve this tag. I think Ranbir deserves the tag more. (Laughs)

What do you think of Ranbir?
RK is the star of our generation. He heads the pack. He has been doing quality work for the past five years and paved the way for all of us to experiment with roles.

Karan Johar says new-age fans are fickle and the stardom your generation enjoys is not as intense or long lasting as the previous lot. Your comments.
Karan is right. We don't have the hype and buzz that surrounded the older stars. Unlike them, we are not larger than life. Audiences are fickle today. But that is because they are looking for good work. We cannot afford to indulge in senseless cinema. Also, our generation of actors is playing characters which are more relatable and normal. We have to ensure there is a credibility attached to what we do.

Can you elaborate?
There is a subconscious understanding of what I am capable of pulling off. I cannot start imagining that I can do a Rowdy Rathore or an Ek Tha Tiger. Those stars have been working for over 20 years or so, and they have built their own audience. You need to know your worth. I am lucky I got accepted this early.

Do you think you are a better actor because of your training behind the camera?
Hundred per cent. It helped me understand my profession and craft better. That experience taught me that I have to trust the 200 people on the set who are putting the effort to make me look good. All I need to do is to concentrate on acting. I never felt any pressure when I faced the camera for Ishaqzaade.

You have come a long way, battling your weight ...
I was happy the way I was. I always wanted to be a director and for that, weight was not an issue. It was Salman who insisted I become an actor. It wasn't easy and it took me more that five years to get into shape. I had to change my entire lifestyle. But all that hard work paid off and today, I can stand without a shirt and give a shot.