I'm capable of being in a serious relationship
Many will call him B-town's most eligible bachelor. And by his own admission he's single and definitely ready to mingle. Just don't ask him to commit. Because that's definitely not Arjun Kapoor's cup of tea. Right now what's absorbing his energies is the upcoming show Khatron Ke Khiladi 7, which he's signed on to host. He also can't but confess his admiration for Kareena Kapoor Khan. He's smitten by her persona and he's only glad he's sharing screen space with her in R Balki's Ki And Ka. When he's not on the sets, Arjun's out seeing the world, meeting icons and those who matter as also spending quality time with friends. He's spent enough time in the industry to know it's just a small part of his life. So he remains detached from the world of glamour. He doesn't mind failing and he talks like an advice column guru the moment you spark conversations around success and failure. It's the all-rounder appeal that adds allure to his personality. He's the perfect combination of brains and brawn...
Your agreeing to host Khatron Ke Khiladi 7 (KKK) has created a buzz...
As an actor my job is to entertain. It could be either through the digital platform, TV, films, hosting award shows or performances. The idea is to bring a smile on people's faces. With TV, I don't even need to tell people to come to the theatres. I directly enter their homes. The connection is at a personal level. In Khatron Ke Khiladi, I'm the sutradhar. And I'll also be doing some of the stunts. That way you motivate the participants. You have to be both strict and fun. Elimination and winning is only on the basis of merit.
Do you feel proud to host a show, which has been anchored by action experts like Akshay Kumar and Rohit Shetty in the past?
I've only been three years in the profession. But I was surprised when I was told by the makers of Khatron Ke Khiladi that I was counted amongst action stars and that they deemed me fit to host it. The audiences seemed interested in watching me as well. That meant there was a certain love and regard for me from the audience. It's true that amongst my peers, I've done the most action films (Ishaqzaade, Gunday, Tevar). The only frothy film has been 2 States. Perhaps I'm the correct guy for this show. In the past I've hosted shows... people say they find my sense of humour appealing. So I guess, somewhere I did have the qualities to anchor the show.
What made you choose R Balki's Ki and Ka?
Balki's sensibilities as a director appealed to me. I loved his Cheeni Kum and Paa. I watched Shamitabh after I signed Ki and Ka. I gave him my honest opinion about it, which he respected. It doesn't rank amongst his best. But the idea was fantastic. Maybe, it couldn't pan out as a film. I love Balki as a person too. I wanted to do a romantic film and I got the correct director. It's a story waiting to be told.
You're Kareena Kapoor Khan's self-professed fan. How was it working with your idol?
I had first met Kareena on the set of dad's (Boney Kapoor) Khushi ages back. I'm an ardent admirer of her work. But the word fan boy' doesn't apply to me because I can never be star struck. A fan boy would be someone who'd be tongue-tied and almost faint in her presence. Of course, there's great regard for what she has achieved. The way she lights up the screen, the way she conducts herself off it, there is certain stardom that she carries. It's easy to be swayed by it. Yet she's nonchalant about it. There are people who have achieved nothing but strut around as though they are number one. Kareena has survived 16 years. She's still doing great work. She's looking her best. People ask, Weren't you nervous working with her?' But I know her as a friend not as a fan boy.
What's unique about her?
A decade ago, it was not about bound scripts and readings, it was more spontaneous. You had to respect the director's conviction. Whereas today we have discussions and offer suggestions. With Kareena there's no debate. If the director says so, it's right. She'll do it and she'll do it so beautifully that it will appear as though it's her input. I also like her ability to laugh at herself. I tease her and she's sporting about it. I imitate her; I even shoot her character Pooh's line, "Tumhe koi haq nahin banta ki tum itni khoobsurat lago," from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham at her. I rib her that she's the only actress to have worked in two films titled Talaash.
You seem to have shared a great chemistry on screen as well...
How can you not enjoy working with a woman who laughs with you, who doesn't trouble on the set, who listens to the director, who only wants to work towards bettering the scene! I hate the word chemistry. What we share is a real, honest relationship. There's a comfort level between us.
Apparently, you two have shot some intimate scenes in Ki and Ka...
It's as intimate as in any other film. It's not any more or any less. Ki and Ka is a film about two married people very much in love. So you can imagine how much intimacy can be depicted in a marriage.
Did the lukewarm response to Tevar leave you disturbed?
If things don't affect you then you're in the wrong business because this is an emotional profession. We as a family (dad Boney Kapoor and uncle Sanjay Kapoor were the producers) were heartbroken and shattered because we had worked hard. We all took time to make our peace and understand what went wrong. It wasn't a bad film. It catered to exactly what was promised in the trailer. It had all the ingredients, which we have grown up watching and enjoying in cinema. Perhaps, the timing wasn't correct. Had it come two-three years earlier, possibly, it would have done better. Or had it come maybe two- three years later, people would once again have been in the frame of mind to watch potboiler masala films. We began shooting Tevar two years back. It was the phase when such films were doing well. But the audience was tired of this kind of a film by the time we released it. That time' was over.
What's the difference between the stars then and now?
Earlier stars had an aura, a mystery. But we, the younger lot, have become more accessible. You can spot us outside a restaurant, outside our homes, on the set, at photoshoots, at the airport... except in the bathroom! Just as are more accessible, so also are audiences more interested in our lives. But you can only survive on the merit of your work.
Despite Tevar not doing well, you are doing director Amit Sharma's next...
I loved working with Amit. If a film doesn't work it doesn't mean that you start hating the people you have worked with. I don't disown Tevar.
You represented India at the Global Citizen Festival with Freida Pinto in New York. How was the experience?
Wonderful! The UN was aware that I have done work for WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) organisation. They believed I was the apt choice to represent India. It didn't sink in till I reached there. The rehearsals were happening back stage. I met Freida there. We went through the script four times before going on stage at 4pm. Coldplay (the British Rock Band lead by vocalist Chris Martin and guitarist Jonny Bucklan) was supposed to go on stage at 5pm. But they were already there at 4pm. Such is the level of professionalism. Freida introduced me to Chris Martin. He was warm and so chilled out without any entourage, security or cameras following him. There was no dhakka-mukki (jostling). There was no Sir one selfie' kind of hounding. It's an unspoken rule not to disturb talent. I saw Salma Hayek, Richard Branson (founder of capital conglomerate Virgin Group) and Huge Jackmon too. Leonardo DiCaprio was sitting right next to me doing his hair and make-up. He finished it quietly and left. There was no VVIP air.
You also met education advocate Malala Yosufzai there...
Yes, Malala walked in the backstage area with her friends. She had spoken fantastically the day before at the UN about making the world a better place. I thought if anyone can bring about change, it's this 17-year-old woman. She has nothing to fear. Coming to Malala, I didn't feel like disturbing her. But one of the girls recognised me as Arjun Kapoor from Gunday'. I then greeted Malala and said, "I'd love to take a picture with you." She passed her mobile to her manager and we clicked a picture. That was sweet of her. I wrote on that photo, "Aap umeed ho. Jab tak aap jaise log achcha kaam karte rahenge, there's hope for the future". She just said bahut-bahut shukriya!
How was it meeting Freida?
She has worked with Anil chachu (Kapoor) so there was an informality. She's a Mumbai girl. You can move out from Mumbai but you can't move Mumbai out of you. We spoke about her work for the girl child. She's doing something beyond her profession. She met Michelle Obama the same day and inspired so many to be part of her movement. Her spirit is positive. She proved the saying never give up'. She was rejected here but she went on to become a huge star in Hollywood. Hers is an amazing story.
You met Priyanka Chopra too...
Priyanka was promoting Quantico in New York. I messaged her wishing her all the best because I saw her hoardings. She replied saying let's hang out when you have time'. I went across to meet her. Her colleagues and her family was there. She had shown Gunday to them. So they were like, Oh, you're the guy running in slow motion'. It was good fun. I'm proud of her like all of us should be. When I was about to hire a cab, she said, Arey, take meri wali taxi'. That is the taxi with the posters of Quantico. We burst out laughing.
Finally, are you dating Jacqueline Fernandez? She laughed about it when asked in a recent Filmfare interview...
(Laughs) Jacqueline is right when she said, We've been friends for a long time. It's just that people didn't know about it. Now, thankfully people will know'. Seriously, just because two people hang out and have fun together you can't link them up. To say 2+2=22 is not correct. Earlier people hadn't seen us together having a good time. When you've know someone for long period, there's a certain comfort level that you come to share. Ours is a friendship, which has been blown out of proportion. I'm single and I have been single for a while.
Have you been in a serious relationship ever?
It's been long. I believe I'm capable of being in a serious relationship. But when it's time to make a commitment I get scared. Maybe, I'm truly not ready. When I'm ready, someone will come my way.
Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani
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