ARJUN KAPOOR : ALWAYS WISHED TO DO A PERIOD DRAMA
Sujoy Ghosh: If I have to put my money on anybody, I’ll put it on Kangana
“Arjun Kapoor, who will turn a year older later this month, says he did not take up the film to prove a point
He has switched on his “warrior mode” as he preps for Panipat. Actor Arjun Kapoor, who is working towards a Herculean body for the upcoming period drama, finds it a challenge to play a bald Maratha warrior and says it is not something he would have imagined doing.
“It’s a challenge for me to play a bald Maratha warrior. He ( the warrior) is not something I would imagine doing. But the fact Ashutosh Gowariker could imagine it, makes me excited to fulfil his vision,” Arjun, whose shirtless photograph on Instagram has gone viral, told IANS.
What makes historicals an important landmark in an actor’s career?
“I didn’t choose it (‘ Panipat’), it chose me. I didn’t go seeking. I always had a wish, and sometimes you just need to want something and it happens. It has happened at a time when I think I was ready for it... If I had to choose to do a period drama or a period war film, there is no choice other than Ashutosh Gowariker. He would do justice to the opulence, emotions and the storytelling,” he added.
The 33- year- old, who will turn a year older later this month, says he did not take up the film to prove a point.
“I have not done anything to prove a point to anybody. I am just here to do my job, have a good time, to make good films and not take myself too seriously. I don’t need to prove myself to anybody. I need to prove it myself
first,” he added.
“Panipat”, which also stars Kriti Sanon and Sanjay Dutt, will tell the story of what led to the third Battle of Panipat. Releasing on December 6, it is being produced by Sunita Gowariker under the home banner AGPPL in association with Vision World.
In a career spanning over seven years, Arjun has worked in a variety of films ranging from “Ishaqzaade”, “Aurangzeb”, “Gunday”, “2 States”, “Finding Fanny”, “Tevar”, “Ki & Ka”, “Half Girlfriend” to “Mubarakan”, “Namaste England” and “India’s Most Wanted.”
Is he trying to maintain two pockets in his career?
“No. Every actor should do everything. Just because my reputation is of being slightly more of a so- called version of a cinematic version of a hero... but that was my starting out point where you do want to enjoy. But for me, ‘ 2 States’ was not a hero ( story). He is the regular boy with his own set of problems. For me, ‘ Ki & Ka’ was not heroic per se. ‘ Aurangzeb’ was realistic and gritty... very much on the lines of films that work these days,” he said.
“I have always tried maintaining a balance and I look forward to making those films. I hope it continues. When I am doing films, I am not trying two pockets... I am just seeking the next most exciting story that’s away from what I have done last,” he added.
In an interview with renowned journalist and film critic, filmmaker Sujoy Ghosh was asked about his favourite actor, and Ghosh said that if he has to bet his money on somebody then it has to be Kangana Ranaut
Sujoy Ghosh, the director of critically acclaimed films like Kahaani, Badla, Jhankaar Beats and more recently was interviewed by journalist and film critic, Rajeev Masand. The filmmaker was asked, “Who is the one person you ( Sujoy) would like to see become a director?” and he replied, “Once I had gone to narrate a script to Kangana, and I think she would make an amazing director. If I had to put my money on anybody I’d put it on her.”
The filmmaker further went on to say, “When you narrate a script to somebody and they come back with little things and sees what you are also seeing in the script, which is actually reading between the lines. She was freaking amazing man!” to which Rajeev replied that it’s a good choice!
We all have witnessed Kangana prowess in direction when her larger than life project Manikarnika came to life. What we are most excited about is to see Kangana create more of such marvellous super- hits
Talking about Kangana Ranaut, she and her family plan to stay in Manali, their hometown, till the 18th of this month after which Kangana will return for the trailer launch of her upcoming film Mental Hai Kya? B- town celebs never fail to give us travel goals and this one shouts, ‘ Take me back to the good old’ mountains!’
The quirky drama, Mental Hai Kya has Kangana in a never- seen- before avatar. Says a source, “The film is a whacky, crazy story that revolves around these two characters played by Kangana and Rajkummar Rao. She plays a girl who’s suffering from a mental condition and the film revolves around the prejudices and social taboos attached to the topic. There’s already immense stigma attached to depression and mental illness and the makers of the film are tackling the issue with sensitivity.”