Arjun Kapoor Man of The Hour

He has faced several ups and downs, but Arjun Kapoor chooses to be grounded and is determined to look ahead. In a freewheeling chat with Nikshubha Garg, the actor opens up about his films, losing his mother, staying relevant, and more.

- Nikshubha Garg

From a distance, Arjun Kapoor seems to be an actor with a crackling sense of humour, and antics enough to bring a smile to your face. However, a conversation reveals a regular man who has fought the odds and come into his own. Today, he stands tall with a stable box office record, and desires to represent his mother in the choices he makes and the behaviour he exhibits. Excerpts from an interview.

From learning horse riding and rigorous gym sessions to shaving your head, you have done it all for Panipat. Describe your experience of doing a period film for the first time.

It was an overwhelming experience. One tends to understand the attention to detail needed to make a film of this proportion. From learning to hold the spear and the technique of throwing it right, to the body language and fighting with a shield, every aspect was closely looked into. I learned a lot; this is what you become an actor for—to live different worlds.

You are also awaiting the release of Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar, which will see you collaborating with Parineeti Chopra for the third time. What’s the USP of your jodi?

I don’t know how one defines the USP of a jodi, but for me, it’s about sharing an honest equation that helps you on camera and makes you friends off it. That’s not to say that all friendships reflect on camera. However, sometimes, certain actors have chemistry with each other; you can’t explain it. What I am happy about is that my friendship with Parineeti has grown over the years due to the steady equation we have shared along the ride. It’s our comfort we have off camera that reflects onscreen.

You had once said that the film industry is a business, and if your films don’t succeed, no one will hire you. Thus, when your films don’t do well at the box office, does that make you insecure?