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‘WE DON’T PRETEND TO BE A HAPPY FAMILY’
Actor Arjun Kapoor opens up on the new sibling relationship in his life, and the fact that it’s still work in progress
Actor Arjun Kapoor always calls his sister Anshula his strength, but he’s happy to have found two more siblings in his half-sisters Janhvi and Khushi Kapoor (daughters of Boney Kapoor and Sridevi). In a noholds-barred conversation, Arjun opens up about this newfound bond after Sridevi’s untimely demise in February.
Does it irk you when people talk about your bond with Janhvi?
Why would it irk me? It’s something that’s evolving. I’ve been very honest about it. I’ve not made any pretence saying that we’re a happy family and we’ve sorted everything. So, I don’t care what people think. It’s my job to be a good son to my father; the by-product of that is that I’ve managed to find two more sisters. They allow me to call them sisters — that’s very large hearted of them.
It all started with that family photo you clicked at Sonam Kapoor’s wedding. How did that happen?
We took that picture because I felt it was the right thing for us to put up a united stand, saying we’re in it together, to figure it out. That’s the emotion we felt after all that transpired. That’s the only thing we’ve done as a unit to give you all — an image saying that we’re trying. And that’s the truth.
You and Janhvi recently shot for a popular talk show. How was it?
There’s no saying when we’ll actually know each other very well. This talk show gives me time to spend with her, an opportunity to know her as much as you guys will get to know her, ironically.
Do you ever wish to go back in the past and undo certain things?
It’s unfortunate that we’ve met in such circumstances. I wish they didn’t have to go through what they’re going through. I’ve seen it and lived it. It’s just gut-wrenching. It breaks your back. So, they’re going to take their time. [Getting to know them is] a very unique place to be in for me. It has given me a different perspective of life, where I’ve realised there’s more to life than a Friday.
Do you give Janhvi work advice?
I tell her that when there’s work criticism coming, you have to accept it, if it’s coming from an honest place. The audience pays money; if they don’t appreciate something, we must try and learn.
You’ve often shut down trolls who say nasty things about Janhvi’s clothes. Does that come naturally?
If somebody hits below the belt, and that gets underlined by an article or two talking about the negative comments — that pisses me off.