Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 21, 2017)

He's had two releases — Half Girlfriend and Mubarakan — in less than two months, but Arjun Kapoor isn’t planning to set off on a vacation. In fact, he’s excited about being “on my toes to prepare for Dibakar Banerjee’s film”, Kapoor tells mid-day. The film, Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar, stars him alongside Ishaqzaade (2012) co-star, Parineeti Chopra.

Calling it his most challenging part till date, Kapoor says, “Pari and I would joke about bagging a Dibakar Banerjee film some day. Barely five years into the industry and I’m starring in one. This is nothing less than a dream come true. He is a skillful director, who has such sound knowledge of his craft.”

While Banerjee is often associated with offbeat and serious subjects like Shanghai (2012) and Love Sex Aur Dhokha (2010), Kapoor points out that the filmmaker’s next is diametrically opposite to his previous outings. “This isn’t a usual Dibakar film. We have nothing in common. Our taste in cinema is disparate. But when we meet to discuss this project, it starts as a brief meeting and turns into an endless chat session,” says the actor, adding that the film, which revolves around a love- hate relationship, kicks off next month.