Box office collection indicates an actors credibility: Arjun Kapoor

Box office collection indicates an actor's credibility: Arjun Kapoor

• Prashant Singh, Hindustan Times, Mumbai|
• Updated: Jun 24, 2016 18:25 IST

Arjun Kapoor completed four years in Bollywood in May this year. The actor is happy that in this short span of time, he has "seen both success and failure". As he turns 31 on Sunday (June 26), he talks about his career so far, the media glare on his personal life, and more.

You must be on a high, as your last film, Ki & Ka, was a hit.

At the end of the day, box office collections are everything. Ki & Ka did well because of the audience. This (the box-office success) is also indicative of an actor's credibility. It is essential to have credibility, as you want to do different kinds of films. It is important for an actor that his movie works, not only to beat competition, but also to get better opportunities.

Does competition in your age group bother you?

Competition is decent. No one's eating into someone else's pie. Honestly, I don't feel we can take on each other right now; we aren't in that position. We have to first make our own identity, and cement ourselves in the audience's minds. You don't become successful by destroying someone else.

Do you think you have matured in the past couple of years?

I think I have seen lows early in my career. There have been situations when people have said things like, "Iska pata nahi kya hone waala hai (No one knows what will happen with him)." Despite delivering multiple hits in the first few years of my career, I have heard such statements. Now that I have dealt with such comments, I feel that if I can take care of these, I can tackle anything in this profession.

Arjun started his Bollywood career with Ishaqzaade in 2012.

Do you get bothered when your personal life comes under the scanner?

No, I find it silly and funny. After a point, you get immune. I don't read the papers much nowadays because it (the news reports about him) can bother you at times, especially when you are trying to focus on your work. Also, sometimes, you feel awkward, as a few of them (the women you are linked with) are your good friends. All we want is that our respective families shouldn't feel awkward.

Arjun delivered a hit earlier this year with Ki & Ka.

Within your first few years in the industry, you hosted a TV show. Did you feel your TV outing would have an impact on your film career?

Everyone thought that I can't do it. People even tried to create an impression. They said, "Maybe, he doesn't have work; that's why he is doing it." But there's fun in defying the odds and be the first of your kind. I would much rather do a TV show than work in a wrong film. I got a lot of positive response for the show. I just had to back myself that I can host it.

Your brother Harshvardhan Kapoor is set to make his film debut...

He is passionate about films. It's nice to meet someone who has a point of view and an opinion. He isn't a run-of-the-mill kind of a guy trying to make his debut just because that's what the family wants him to do. It's always good to have newer actors and new energy, as it keeps you on your toes.

Is it true that you are doing Shimit Amin's next?

I haven't signed anything except Half Girlfriend. These stories are coming up probably because I have not signed anything else.

The actor says he wouldn't like to do a reboot or a re-imagination' of Mr India, a film that starred his uncle, Anil Kapoor.

Is there a plan to make a sequel to Mr India?

Please ask my dad and let me know (smiles). He is the only person who can answer if the movie is happening. Everyone should start a petition or some polling should be done so that he makes it soon. My name has been associated with Ram Lakhan as well, but it's not like I should do whatever films Anil chahcu has done. If we take Mr India's story in a nice way, then it makes sense. I wouldn't like to do a reboot or a re-imagination of Mr India. Let's see; but never say never!

When do you plan to settle down?

I don't want to be single, but I don't want to mingle either (smiles). I want to be with somebody. Also, it's not very healthy for my family to read what they read (in papers). It's a bit silly that when you say hello to someone, and the next thing you read is you are in a relationship with the person. That way, we feel there's no room for cracking jokes. In that case, people will say I am dating Ranveer as then only him and I will be together (laughs).