I pick films on impulse - Arjun Kapoor

Arjun Kapoor on how he plans to play his Bollywood innings

Harshada Rege (DNA; July 19, 2013)

Arjun Kapoor made his debut with a movie that had him playing a wicked guy, that was followed by Aurangzeb. Though he's yet to prove his mettle at the box-office, he seems to be all set to offer the audience a mixed bag of movies. The Kapoor lad talks to After Hrs about movies and more…

You seem to be very popular with women. How are you enjoying the attention?
That's the only thing that I don't know how to handle. I was always told by Aditya Chopra that looks are not your forte, just act well. He said because you are unconventional, concentrate on your acting. Maybe that was his way of making sure that I was not worried about it. But what it did was that it prepared me for a life of not being the most good-looking person in front of the camera. So, I end up blushing every time I get attention. But I love it. Now the excitement is to make sure that they feel the same way after watching every of my film.

You are entering the romantic hero zone now…
Yes, I am doing Two States and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's such a different role from Ishaqzaade and Aurangzeb. I assume people will want to see me in this kind of a role. For me, it's like reinventing myself. Luckily for me I don't have an image. People don't think of me and say that he can't or shouldn't do this. I can have people say 'Oh! he can do this too'.

The newer lot seems to be mixing the off beat movies with the commercial ones. What's your game plan?
Films pick me rather than me picking them up. Frankly, there's no definite plan. I pick movies on impulse. I do want to do one or two out-of-the-box films, but they have to be financially viable so that producers can make quirky films. You need a well-rounded star cast and a decent budget, so that you are not overtly indulgent. If something like that comes my way then of course I am happy to pick it up because you know that at the end of the day everyone will be happy and you'll get to try something new.

You have worked behind the scenes before you became an actor, does that help you?
Being a part of this profession before I became an actor does help. I understand that you have to work with the director not against him. You have to trust that everyone knows their job. I don't get bothered by mundane things like will they cut me out will I look good enough.

A whole lot of actors have made their debuts in the same year as you. Is the competition heating up?
Right now, I am still trying to find my own foundation, create my own niche. I am trying to create a certain branding for myself so that I have an audience base that says he does good work. I am not thinking what everyone else is doing because we are all too new. Give it a few more films, a few more years and we might be able to think about each other, right now I am thinking ke mein apna kaam theek se kar loon.

Bollywood participating in events like IIFA, do you think that helps business?
In India, there can be only so much growth so we have to explore other avenues that can make people aware of our films and create more opportunities for the film industry in return. If the overseas business has expanded, for example Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani making 10 billion dollars, it's a reflection of the world being aware of what's happening in Bollywood. It's directly proportional. If you put yourself out and host or perform at an international event that many more people across the globe are watching you and may want to watch your films. It adds more value to your films.