‘FAILURES CAN’T BOG ME DOWN’

Actor Arjun Kapoor says that he would continue to ‘put up a fight’ and be the ‘best actor’ that he can be to ‘connect with people’; adds there’s a ‘sense of stability’ in his life now

from the interview:

It has been nearly eight years since you entered Bollywood. After facing varying degrees of successes and failures, has your outlook towards life changed?

In seven to eight years, a lot has transpired. I can write a book on these years as they’ve been quite a rollercoaster ride. Now, the understanding of life and even priorities have changed. The blacks and whites have become greys. Earlier, it was all about work, but now it’s also about finding the balance. I think I was going through too much [when he debuted]. I was very young, who had just lost a parent, and found himself thrusted in the limelight. Now, I have become more relaxed, mellow, and patient. But there was a phase in between when I had become very restless.

But you have maintained your sanity throughout…

I think it’s because my core values have always remained the same. Professionally, the last two years haven’t been great, and I have learnt a lot. But kabhi kuch paane ke liye kuch khona padta hai. I’d say I have gained two sisters [Janhvi and Khushi Kapoor] in the last two years and maybe, lost a Friday or two in the process. But I’ll fight back and I will win those, too

Work-wise, you are readying for the release of your first historical, Panipat. Excited?

I told Ashu sir [Ashutosh Gowariker; director] the other day that normally, such great reactions don’t come for trailers. I got many calls and messages from the industry friends, well-wishers, and other people. I feel, you have to work silently and make sure that the film is portrayed in the right way. So, full credit goes to Ashu sir that he has managed to pull off a film that looks like a cinematic experience. It’s a

Of late, your personal life [vis-à-vis dating Malaika Arora] has been in news. You must be quite used to it by now? My personal life has been making news since the day I became an actor. But as long as it’s all a part of respectful conversation, and not vindictive or negative, it’s okay. It’s a reality, which is not hidden but it is private. I feel the media has given that much respect, and we, too, have reciprocated in the sense that we aren’t hiding anything. I have been through too many ups and downs, and phases. But now, there is a sense of stability. And I believe that will help me be a new and better man. Marriage, though, isn’t something that’s crossed my mind yet. And if it happens, I wouldn’t be hiding it. nice feeling that as an actor, all your hard work is worth it.

Of late, there have been quite a few historicals being made in Bollywood. Are you, in any way, anxious about comparisons?

I can’t stop people from comparing. We were aware when we were making the film, that Bajirao’s son Shamsher Bahadur fought this battle. This is a story just 20 years ahead of Bajirao’s regime. But they are two different stories, so you can’t be so worried about the comparisons and not make the film. By that logic, after Uri, we should not make any more war films. The Dhoni biopic was very good. But does it mean that we won’t attempt a biopic of say, Yuvraj Singh? People watch a film for what it stands for. Agar film aur kahaani mein dum hai toh aap comparisons se aage chale jaaoge. But thanks to comparisons, our film is only getting publicity. So, I am like, ‘aapne Baba [Ranveer Singh] ki ajirao Mastani dekh li. Ab nipat bhi dekho

ur last two films didn’t do well. nd plus, Panipat looks like a g-budgeted film. Does all of it t pressure on you?

ccess and failures are a t-and-parcel of this ofession. Every actor goes rough ups and downs. The true sign of a star is when you survive the failures and rise to the occasion. Failures can’t bog me down. As for budgets, it’s not just in my hand. Panipat needed a certain scale. I take tremendous pride in the fact that I have seen to it, to some degree, that my films are profitcentric. But as an actor, at some point, I have to leave behind that awareness. I can’t let that be the deciding factor when I pick films. All kinds of films need to be made. But now, there is an obsession with numbers, and we can’t fight it. As an actor, I’d like the first step to be making a good film, and seeing where the journey takes us.

PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/ MALAIKAARORAOFFICIAL