Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; March 10, 2014)

Close to the Taj Mahal in Agra, Arjun Kapoor was rehearsing diligently for his upcoming film Tevar opposite Sonakshi Sinha when we caught up with him for a chat. Excerpts:

Tevar is your first film under your uncle Sanjay Kapoor’s home production. Your father (Boney Kapoor) is also involved in the project. Since it is your home banner, do you get to pitch in your ideas?
I share my point of view but since dad has more experience, he takes the final call. Sanjay hears my version and that of dad’s, and then gives his view.

Is there extra pressure of working with family?
It’s an emotional experience to act in front of dad. With Sanjay, I don’t share a typical chacha-bhatija equation; we are more like friends.

Who broke the ice between you and your co-star Sonakshi Sinha?
I know her since school and keep teasing her as Salman Khan’s heroine. I used to meet her during workout sessions with Salman. It feels different to be romancing her on the big screen.

In your last film, Gunday, your character was compared to your uncle, Anil Kapoor…
Because people had not seen that kind of energy since Ram-Lakhan. But it is unfair to compare. I want to be as disciplined and dedicated as him. I ask him not to meet me in public because he looks like he can play my younger brother on screen!

The trailer of your film 2 States opposite Alia Bhatt is out. Do you feel the subject of the film holds good in this era?
Indians are very emotional and family-oriented. So, the subject is evergreen. Caste and community differences don’t affect this generation but they are a concern for our elders. You have to convince them and take their blessings for a new relationship.

What is your character in Finding Fanny?
I play a mechanic, who’s in denial about being a loser. We shot it entirely in Goa. Homi (Adjania) is a mad director. Working with Deepika Padukone was great. I know her from the time she was dating Ranbir Kapoor.
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Upala KBR (DNA; March 10, 2014)

Arjun Kapoor is currently shooting in Agra for Tevar but is in regular touch with good friend Alia Bhatt, who is in Mumbai. While he has been linked to Alia, he dismisses such talks while maintaining that he is ready to be in a committed relationship.

About Alia
Arjun says, “There is a very deep-rooted, strong and honest friendship between us. I spoke to her yesterday when I learnt that she was not well. I saw it on her BBM status and called to ask her about her health. That’s what friends do. We are in touch with each other constantly. For me Rohan Shrestha (photographer on the sets of Tevar) is a friend, and so is Alia. But just because she is a girl, our friendship gets misconstrued.”

Co-star and a friend
He continues, “We went to a film trial together because we were shooting, and people view it as us going to watch the film together. Obviously we will coordinate with each other. People took pics of us arriving together at an awards night. I also coordinated with Ranveer (Singh), Karan (Johar) and Deepika Padukone. Alia just arrived at the scene at the same time as me and so we walked in together. But there was a big hue and cry of us coming together.” His fabulous on-screen chemistry with Alia in 2 States is the talk of the town. He shrugs. “All this talk doesn’t upset me. Yes, I love hanging out with Alia, but if there was something serious, the media would know. It’s a friendship and always will remain one. In our country, we are not allowed to go out even on a date as friends. The moment we do, people will say ki iss ki parson shaadi ho jayegi!”

Dating an actress
Arjun says he doesn’t mind dating an actress. “I don’t put tags on what kind of girl I want. We end up dating people from our profession because they understand us and we spend so much time together, so there’s a comfort level between us. They understand what’s the drawback of being an actor, the timings, travel, being away from each other and the intrusion of your privacy at unexpected times. Today, if I am having dinner with my girlfriend at a restaurant, there will be 20 people sitting and taking pics of us on their phones, which will be out everywhere. Someone, who is not used to spotlight, might be really uncomfortable with that. She may feel that her life is always under scrutiny. An actress or not, whoever comes into my life, needs to respect and understand that everything is not always in my hands.”

Being single
So seriously single? “Yes. I am single and very much ready to mingle. Please put that on high alert for all eligible girls out there!” he laughs. “I should get a girlfriend now. I feel I am more open to being in a committed relationship than I have been for a while so let’s see where it leads to...”