‘How much money my films make isn’t in my control’

Over the course of a 17-year career, actor Arjun Rampal, has played a variety of roles. From playing a supervillain in Ra.One (2011), a strict brother in the comedy film Housefull (2010), or stepping into the shoes of gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli in Daddy (2017). In a candid chat, the 45-year-old talks about ups and downs in his career. Excerpts:

Have you been satisfied with how your career has shaped up so far?

It’s been amazing, I wouldn’t change anything about it. You have ups and downs, you keep going through them. As long as you grow and learn, and get the kind of work you want to do. You create your own identity. In these 17 years, people know the kind of films that I do and they can look forward to me doing such kind of work.

Have you always got the type of work you wanted? Was there any kind of image you wanted to create when you entered films?

The whole idea for an actor is to push oneself and go out of one’s comfort zone. One should keep pushing the envelope and try to do as much as one can with the material you have. Today there are so many wonderful writers, new and old, trying to do something new and not just be a part of the clutter. There are streaming platforms which are creating wonderful content. It’s a great time to be an actor and a producer. Maybe these 17 years will translate into 17 more.

Your last few films, including Rock On 2!!, Daddy, Kahaani 2 haven’t done well at the boxoffice. Did that affect you?

With Rock On 2!! it was very unfortunate. Demonetisation happened close to the day of the release and we didn’t even stand a chance. But all those films are close to me. They were good films, that I can say proudly. How much money they make or not make is not in my control. Hopefully audiences will recognise the work and say ‘okay, fine going forward, we will see more of this kind of work’. That’s all I can hope for.

The #MeToo movement has gained prominence worldwide. Does sexual harassment exist in Bollywood?

I don’t know really, I haven’t had any of those experiences. I am sure something like that might exist, and #MeToo is a great campaign out there for women to go and express themselves, and expose. They should do it, they will have my full support.

There are reports you are working next with Abbas Mustan…

Yes, we are working on a thriller.

PHOTO: RAAJESSH KASHYAP/HT