'WAS EASY TO GET AWAY WITH MEDIOCRE CONTENT'

Arjun Kapoor says mediocrity is not acceptable to Bollywood audiences

In his almost decade-long acting career, Arjun Kapoor believes that the Hindi film industry has been ever changing. And he points out that people now can’t just get away with making just about anything.

“The audience has never accepted mediocre content. It kept getting made because it was easy to get away… films would still do enough business to recover their money,” he continues, “But as filmmaking has become more expensive in the last decade or so, and especially in the last five years, today you’re competing with the world audience. Mediocrity won’t be available in theatres because it’s very expensive to get a film to cinemas.”

Kapoor, 36, who made his acting debut with Ishaqzaade in 2012, feels the change has been on for a while more so with OTT platforms coming in, and pushing everyone. However, he adds it won’t reflect instantly. “We need to allow a couple of years to rejig this thought process. We’re growing up with Hollywood and OTT and we’ve to give it a few more years to rejig. We’re growing up with a new wave of writers and directors,” he says.

Noting how around 2025 we might finally see changes in the film industry, the Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar actor adds, “I also feel there’ll be a slight demarcation in projects which will make it to theatres and which head the digital way.”

Kapoor’s career has also evolved, and he’s proud of each of his choices — hits and misses. “When you’re talking about your career, you’re always bound by hits and flops. It’s unfortunate, because the experience of working in a film counts for something for an actor. Growing up along the way, telling stories — those are moments that remain. I’m grateful about what I’ve had and excited about the next 10 years,” he concludes.