Arjun Rampal on destiny, stardom, and his daughters who have him "wrapped around their fingers"
Deebashree Mohanty (TIMES LIFE; October 8, 2017)

Would you say you had a very filmi struggle story?
I haven't had an easy one for sure. And I am happy that way. If that journey was easy, you would end up being extremely ordinary. I know a lot of people who have it all right at the beginning or get stuck in a particular image and start believing in it. So, I am glad I have gone through this tough drill because there are a lot of good things that happen on the way.

A lot of things in your life happened due to one happy accident ­ getting spotted at a nightclub by Rohit Bal...
I don't think anything is an accident. I strongly believe in destiny; certain things are predestined. Now, when I look back at my modelling days and what it lead to, I feel as if I was made for the world of glamour and cinema.

Have you ever found it hard to continue with the struggle in B-town?
I am a bull. I don't give up. If I believe something can get better, I will give it my all. The industry has helped in making me stronger. A slew of misses can teach you a lot.

Your takeaway from the failures...
I would rather be hated for someone I am than be loved for somebody I am not. To be real and original, and not be lost, is the biggest life lesson. The other thing I have learnt the hard way is not to fly too high because eventually you will fall. How you rise in the industry is also important. If you have got to the top by stepping on someone or pulling someone down, remember that there is a possibility that you will meet them again. That meeting is not going to be very pleasant.

But sudden failure can hurt...
It can be very, very depressing. Every artiste is yearning for an opportunity to work, and when they die out, it's frustrating. I've also had a low phase. I remember walking into a room full of successful people and wondering why I don't have it. There was even a time when I thought all my movies were jinxed. Thankfully, those days are gone.

Do you feel insecure about being a part of ensemble films?
I don't get insecure about anything because I am confident and smart enough to choose the best role in any given film.

Do you like the fame that comes with your profession?
I love it. That's why I am here. I love people's adulation. In fact, I would be very embarrassed (and sad) if I walk around and no one recognizes me. But I want to be in the news for my work and not for being a regular handsome hunk! I don't crave for that kind of fame all the time.

What's the most disturbing thing about Bollywood?
The fact that we don't make world cinema. Why do we only have to think of territories? The other thing that irks me is the importance attached to whether a film will work or not. I don't think it can be calculated. They have to be made from the heart.

How do you deal with controversies regarding your marriage, link-ups...
I have stopped taking them to heart. Nothing irks me anymore. I just recognize the truth and reality of the situation and move on.

Do you think true friendship exists in Bollywood?
This is a close-knit industry, but if you are very giving, you often end up giving too much. Sometimes, you have to take a step back.

Do you indulge your daughters?
Yes I do and I don't feel guilty. My daughters know what to do exactly to get my attention. Like when they shop online, they come to me for the credit card. This is one moment when they have me around their little finger.

Are you a protective father?
My girls are like my buddies. Both of them have a good sense of humour. I think this new generation is very different from what we used to be as kids. My daughters are responsible too.