The wedding of Anshula Kapoor and Rohan Thakkar was among the most talked-about celebrations of the week. Boney Kapoor has spent decades creating some of Hindi cinema’s biggest spectacles, but nothing, he says, compares to watching his daughter begin a new chapter with the man she loves.

Talking to us about what it felt witnessing his daughter’s wedding, Boney says, “It is difficult to put into words what I felt watching Anshula get married. Her decision to have her mom’s (Mona Kapoor) photo by the mandap and to wear her dupatta, made the moment even more special because it would have been incomplete without her blessings. I’m sure this is exactly how Mona would have wanted to see her daughter celebrated.”

Boney adds, “Anshula is a piece of my heart and seeing her so happy makes me feel fulfilled. Looking back at the celebrations, I think what has stayed with me the most are the smiling faces, the love that surrounded us, and the happiness everyone shared with us. Your daughter teaches you to be the best version of yourself. Seeing her begin this new chapter with Rohan was an emotional moment for all of us. As a father, you prepare yourself for this day, but when it finally arrives, you realize how special and overwhelming it truly is. As a family, we feel incredibly fortunate to have witnessed this beautiful beginning with the love and blessings of everyone around us. Watching Anshula begin this new chapter of her life was one of the most emotional moments I have experienced as a father.”

The celebrations began with intimate family rituals before culminating in a grand reception. Over three days, family and friends came together to celebrate the couple, with blessings pouring in from every corner.

“My heart swells with love and gratitude for my brothers and their families and extended families, my sister and brother-in-law with their family, my son Arjun, and daughters Janhvi and Khushi, who all stood behind me and witnessed this beautiful milestone moment. Having all my children by my side made the moment complete,” he shares.

For someone who has spent decades bringing stories to the screen, he says this was one occasion where life itself felt like the most beautiful story. “People often ask me what success means after all these years. For me, these three days were the answer. The greatest thing you can earn in life isn’t fame or success, it’s goodwill. Seeing Anshula so happy, surrounded by people who have been part of our lives for so many years, is an unforgettable memory. Watching her grow from holding my hand to holding the hand of the person she loves the most, is one of my life’s cherished moments. She will always be my little girl, no matter how empowered or old she gets. Today, I see her not just as my daughter, but a kind-hearted, super confident and compassionate woman.”

Overwhelmed with emotion, Boney concludes, “I want to say this to my lovely daughter Anshula... A big thank you, for filling my life with your laughter, lessons and unconditional love. You will always have a sweet home in my heart.”

Actor Arjun Kapoor’s Instagram post made fans and trolls alike sit up and take notice on Tuesday. The 40-year-old wrote an emotional birthday message for his late mother, Mona Kapoor. But the lines that caught social media users’ eyes are: “Life’s been kinda cruel to me lately... We will ride it out together. I’ll see u again soon.”

A 2017 video of Arjun’s ‘blank stare’ at a press conference resurfaced. What started as harmless fun around a funny video soon turned nasty. Arjun’s Instagram posts and Reels were flooded by comments that blurred the line between criticism and bullying, often rage baiting responses and farming engagement. Messages included: ‘God blast you’, ‘You are the reason I believe in failure’, ‘Aap bahut peeche jaaoge’, ‘Arjun the superzero’, and ‘Always give up’, among others. But now, the commenters have changed their tune.

Arjun’s new post saw an outpouring of love. Actor Genelia Deshmukh commented, “All will be good, Arjun. You have your own special angel always looking after you.” Others shared strings of heart emojis.

Bhumi Pednekar, Arjun’s co-star in his last screen outing Mere Husband Ki Biwi (2025), says trolling is synonymous with bullying: “What’s frightening is how easily we’ve begun to accept trolling as normal behaviour. The internet forgets that there is a human being they are referring to and not a bot.”

His father Boney Kapoor says, “All the trolling will make Arjun stronger in his resolve. Nothing of this sort will deter him. He’s a brave and sensible boy.”

We reached out to Arjun about his post, but received no response till the time of going to press.

The Right Angle with Sonal Kalra was the first to question the behaviour of trolls, urging commenters to show more empathy, compassion and respect towards the actor. The Reel clocked 2 million views, nearly 94k likes and over 5k comments, including reactions from celebrities Varun Dhawan, Rakul Preet Singh, Vaani Kapoor and Neil Nitin Mukesh, to name a few

The 2021 horror comedy Bhoot Police brought together Arjun Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Jacqueline Fernandez and Yami Gautam, and recent industry chatter has centred on a possible sequel. Reports suggest that filmmaker Priyadarshan may return to the director’s chair, albeit with a new cast.

However, the filmmaker tells us, “Nothing is locked. There are only some discussions happening right now. Even the script is not finalized. I have not decided whether I should do it or not, and I am still waiting to see the script.”

Priyadarshan also dismisses reports of him charging Rs. 21 crore for the project. “If the film happens, I will let you know,” he clarifies.

The first film revolved around a fake exorcism business, with Saif and Arjun playing two brothers who con people for money. While Arjun’s involvement is still under discussion, producer Ramesh Taurani confirms that “Saif will not be part of the next instalment”. He adds, “The rest of the casting is still being discussed.”

At FICCI’s Young Leaders Summit, Arjun Kapoor gave a glimpse into his personal battles — with grief, body image and mental health — and how he is healing. Excerpts...

Talking about his early exposure to films, the actor shared, “My father (Boney Kapoor) was making films since I remember, and my uncle (Anil Kapoor) was one of the biggest stars in the country. I grew up around cinema. My love for films was very pure. I never wanted to be an actor. I wanted to make films. I still do. I want to produce and direct films.”

Arjun said, “Acting just happened. I went for an workshop with Varun Dhawan to see how it feels to live vicariously through another character. I started enjoying being other people except myself.”

The actor also opened up about how his parents’ separation affected him. “I was not an obese kid, but then my parents split up, and I obviously looked at food for solutions. A lot of us have gone through that. I think it doesn’t matter what age you are; it depends on your emotions and mental wellbeing. I understand how obesity affects people in various ways. You can wake up and have a thin day and a fat day. I still have that,” he said.

Arjun shared, “My mother understood what I was going through. My sister and I both suffered where obesity was concerned. Mentally, I was a strong kid. I understood what my parents had been through at that point. So, I took life as it came, but the journey to lose weight took me four years. I had a solid foundation in my mother, she allowed me to take those three-and-a-half years to drop 50 kgs, also, I had professional aspirations.”

He further added, “My mental health actually was not triggered by obesity. I have a lot of self-confidence. But where mental health was concerned, it was my sister who started talking about it. I didn’t realize that the obstacles I had faced — obesity, making my career the way I did, my parents’ separation, and of course, the attention and eyeballs — had affected me. You become a star overnight, and suddenly you are scrutinized — the way you look, the way you talk, the way you express, the way you behave off camera, on camera, everything,” he recalled.

Arjun shared that therapy has helped him find a balance. “The pandemic gave me a moment of realization, and I started therapy after that because I realized I’m the big brother who’s always been there — taking care of my friends, my family, but he needs help, too. I’m a big advocate for help because I have realized its value. It’s like you declutter your mind. A lot of people don’t have that outlet and suffocate. Once you let things out of your mind and express them, you realize how smart and sensible you are. The biggest problem is that vulnerable people are looked upon as weak. I think the strongest people in this world are those who are emotional and vulnerable.”

Actor Anshuman Jha, who recently made his directorial debut with Lord Curzon Ki Haveli, believes the film’s biggest strength lies in its casting featuring Arjun Mathur, Rasika Dugal, Paresh Pahuja and Zoha Rahman. “Even an average film with the right cast can do better numbers because people relate to the characters,” he says.

Recounting how this belief has guided his career choices, Jha reveals he once turned down a role in Half Girlfriend (2017), the movie based on Chetan Bhagat’s novel of the same name, starring Arjun Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor.

He says, “I was offered the part that Vikrant Massey eventually did [he played Madhav’s (Arjun Kapoor’s) friend Shailesh] but I said no. Vikrant and I even spoke about it. I told him that he should have been the lead in that film, then I would have done that role.”

Jha goes on to defend his stance with conviction. “12th Fail (2023) wouldn’t have been the success it is if it had the same lead as Half Girlfriend. Vikrant brought an honesty that made 12th Fail what it is. Vidhu Vinod Chopra sir’s conviction to take it to theatres helped it reach people because it had the right actor in the right role.”

Producer Boney Kapoor has categorically denied reports suggesting that actor Varun Dhawan has exited the upcoming sequel to the 2005 comedy hit No Entry. In a statement to Bombay Times, Kapoor dismissed the buzz as entirely baseless.

“It is just a rumour. Arjun and Varun are very much part of the movie. It is someone’s imagination,” Kapoor told us.

Over the past week, several online reports had claimed that Varun Dhawan had walked out of the sequel, tentatively titled No Entry Mein Entry, allegedly due to scheduling conflicts and delays in the film’s pre-production. The news surfaced shortly after rumours of Diljit Dosanjh also exiting the film made headlines, leading to speculation about a major overhaul in the cast.

Kapoor, however, clarified that no such change had occurred in the core casting of the film. He emphasized that both Arjun Kapoor and Varun Dhawan remain fully committed to the project.

“We didn’t take the news seriously, but now it has become too big,” he said, addressing the widespread attention the rumours have garnered online. He added, “We are making No Entry Mein Entry and Varun and Arjun are very much in the film. We are in active discussions to lock our other hero and the rest of the cast. In the next 15–20 days we should lock other cast members as well.”

The sequel, directed by Anees Bazmee, has been in development for some time and is expected to be a full-fledged comic entertainer, following in the footsteps of the original which starred Anil Kapoor, Salman Khan, and Fardeen Khan.

The cast of ‘No Entry 2’ has undergone another reshuffle. After Diljit Dosanjh’s recent exit, now Varun Dhawan has reportedly bowed out of the film too. The makers of the Boney Kapoor production, directed by Anees Bazmee, are now scouting for two actors who will bromance with Arjun Kapoor.

The initial cast line-up had Dhawan, Arjun, and Dosanjh in triple role that had fans buzzing. “Varun was very excited about ‘No Entry 2’,” shares a source close to the production, adding that the changes in dates after Dosanjh’s exit “made things a bit complicated”. 

“Now Varun’s dates are locked for ‘Bhediya 2’.” Dhawan will apparently only be free by mid-2026. With both Dhawan and Dosanjh stepping away, the ‘No Entry 2’ team is now back to the casting board. “We’re figuring out the new combinations. Arjun Kapoor is still very much on board.”

Meanwhile, the ‘Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari’ actor has turned his attention to Amar Kaushik’s ‘Bhediya 2’, which will go on floors by the year-end.

Rumour mills were abuzz with stories of Diljit Dosanjh’s ouster — first from Nidhi Dutta’s Border 2, and then from Boney Kapoor’s No Entry 2. However, the actor has already wrapped up the war drama, and sources now confirm that he will soon begin shooting for the sequel of the 2005 film, titled No Entry Mein Entry.

Initially, it was alleged that he walked out of the sequel due to creative differences, then due to date issues, and finally, it was said that working with Pakistani actor Hania Amir in Sardaar Ji 3 compelled producer Boney Kapoor and director Anees Bazmee to reconsider Dosanjh.

Refuting the rumours, a source from the creative team confirms that Dosanjh is definitely on board and will, in fact, begin shooting with co-stars Arjun Kapoor and Varun Dhawan post October this year.

“As of now, the film is on track. The unit will begin with a month-long schedule after October. It will be shot across Greece, Italy, and India. While the story is different from the first one, it will [still] revolve around three men, their marriages, and extra-marital affairs. It is a spiritual sequel to [the first] No Entry. While Boney has been busy sorting out the dates of his male and female leads, Anees has completed the script. An announcement will be made shortly,” informs the source.

The date issue with Dosanjh was finally resolved in July when Boney and Bazmee met the actor on the set of Border 2 for the final narration.

The insider adds, “They met Diljit at National Defence Academy, Pune in the first week of July when he was shooting for Border 2 with Ahan [Shetty], Varun, and Sunny [Deol]. There was talk about some creative differences, but that is not true. Diljit is very excited to collaborate with the team, especially with Anees. [In fact], Boney and Anees are committed to having him on board and only he can play this character.”

The producer has also locked Tamannaah Bhatia for the ensemble comedy.

In a moment that sparked widespread concern, Babil Khan, son of late actor Irrfan, posted a series of emotional videos on Instagram Stories on Saturday. The now-deleted clips made their way to Reddit, showing him opening up about his experience in the entertainment industry.

“Bollywood is the most fakest, fakest, fakest industry that I’ve ever ever been a part of. But there are few people that want Bollywood to be better... I got to show to you so much more, so much more, so much more. I have so much more to give you,” the 26-year-old can be heard saying.

In another video, he mentioned some of his contemporaries: “I just want you guys to know that there are people like Shanaya Kapoor, Ananya Panday, Arjun Kapoor, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Raghav Juyal, Adarsh Gourav and Arijit Singh. There are so many more names. Bollywood is so f*****.”

Even as he deleted and later reinstated his profile with 1.2M followers, several celebs came out to lend support (see right), with actor Harshvardhan Rane advising him to “stay away from parties”.

Filmmaker Sai Rajesh shared a lengthy note on Instagram criticizing the outburst and subsequent statement: “It feels like only those whose names were mentioned in his video deserve respect — and the rest of us are just fools for standing by him all this while? ...I genuinely wanted to stand by him even until an hour ago. But if you’re taking us for granted, that stops here. These sympathy games won’t work on us anymore. A sincere apology is the least you owe us.”

Babil replied, claiming Sai “really broke my heart”: “After everything I’ve given to you... Complete physical atrocity to my body just so I can do justice to his character, I gave him my soul, rejected everything that came in my way for 2 years, anything and everything he needed for 500 days of my life.”

He added, “Man, I had bugs in my beard because he needed that in the character. I gave him my laughter while I held back my tears. I slit my f****** wrist for him.”

Babil is reported to star in the remake of Sai’s  Telugu film Baby (2023). Babil later deleted his comments and Sai, his post.

On Sunday, Babil’s team issued a statement: “Babil has earned immense love and appreciation for his work, as well as for his openness about his mental health journey. Like anyone else, Babil is allowed to have difficult days, and this was one of them. We want to reassure all his well-wishers that he is safe and will be feeling better soon. That said, a video of Babil has been widely misinterpreted and taken out of context.”

The note further read, “In the clip, Babil was sincerely acknowledging a few of his peers whom he believes are making meaningful contributions to the evolving landscape of Indian cinema. His mention... came from a place of genuine admiration for their authenticity, passion, and efforts to restore credibility and heart in the industry.”

Can lives change overnight? Paramvir Singh Cheema believes so. The actor, who featured in Tabbar (2021) and Chamak (2023), broke out this January with Black Warrant. He says that ever since Vikramaditya Motwane’s prison drama dropped on Netflix, he has received multiple congratulatory messages from directors and actors.

“I got a message that read, ‘Hi, this is Arjun Kapoor.’ I thought it’s fake. But then, it really was Arjun. A lot of directors messaged to appreciate my work. I was not expecting this to happen,” he smiles.

In the Zahan Kapoor-led series set in the 1980s, Cheema plays a fellow jailer adjusting to his new role while tension brews in his hometown in Punjab. The actor reveals that he auditioned with the scene that sees him worried about his family in the aftermath of Indira Gandhi’s assassination in 1984.

“When I auditioned with that scene, I told Vikram sir, ‘I have to do it. It’s important that the right person plays this role.’ Hailing from Punjab, I’ve seen families getting separated, or someone leaving home and never coming back. [During the shoot], Vikram sir was happy with the way I portrayed my character’s outburst. I was worried [about a possible backlash] as my family is in Punjab and anything can happen these days. But then, Vikram sir made the scene so beautiful and human,” he shares.

It’s easy to see that Cheema consciously chooses stories that reflect his roots. “Identity is important to me. Every role I choose should show my identity.”

His upcoming works are testament to that. The actor brings the Punjabi music industry’s underbelly to the fore with Chamak 2, and the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war to the screen with Border 2. “I gravitate towards stories that bring out Punjab’s reality. People say you need guts to do this. Why do you need guts to speak about your lived-in experience? I want my stories to show the truth of our times.”

He hopes Border 2—starring Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan and Diljit Dosanjh—will be his gateway to mainstream cinema. “The language of cinema is different. In Border 2, you can’t be subtle. I’ve been a fan of Border [1997]. So, when Border 2 came, I told myself I have to do this, even if it requires passing on something else,” says the actor, who has also bagged an Aanand L Rai film.

On Saturday, several people were injured at the shoot of Mere Husband Ki Biwi in Mumbai, after the ceiling of the set collapsed. The injured include actor Arjun Kapoor, producer Jackky Bhagnani, director Mudassar Aziz and many crew members.

However, Federation of Western India Cine Employees’ (FWICE) president Birendra Nath Tiwari assures that nobody has suffered serious injuries. “Shukar hai kisi ko kuch zyada laga nahin. Jahaan shooting ho rahi thi, wahaan pe shooting band kara di gayi hai for safety reasons. The ceiling collapsed due to poor maintenance,” he said.

Tiwari adds that the federation is trying to bring in long-term changes: “We have written to the Prime Minister as well as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra over the health and safety of workers in the industry. We have written to the Film City [studio authorities] too, that the foundations [of the sets] are so old that they can collapse any day. So, a structural audit needs to be done. There is no exit gate in case of a mishap. Puri film industry bhagwan ke sahare chal rahi hai, par bhagwan bhi kab tak hi dekhega.”

Arjun Kapoor believes that in an industry where every Friday can change an actor’s fortunes, being resilient is what helps one navigate the ups and downs. In a conversation with us, the actor, who recently played a baddie in Singham Again, talks about how he keeps it real and finds inspiration during conflicting moments of his life.

Arjun, who doesn’t shy away from embracing his vulnerable side, feels that this has been a crucial factor in his growth. “Though most people consider it a problem, I think your vulnerability is your strength. However, being vulnerable and accepting is what helps you grow and become a better person and, therefore, allows you to make better choices. Our profession is such that it’s easy to be delusional and be in denial.”

The actor, who has seen his fair share of highs and lows in his career, believes that being an actor means you have to be ready to sign up for a long race. “I’ve always been a practical person. So, when a film doesn’t pan out the way it should have, I try to understand what I can do better next. Nobody has a 100 per cent success rate here. A lot of people don’t realize that it’s a very long race. You’re not winning, you’re not trying to win, what you are doing is you are trying to survive and create your own space. If I wasn’t practical, I wouldn’t have made such an extreme choice (being a part of Singham Again). I know my truth, I’m not chasing delusion, and I think that really helps. But yes, being resilient in this profession is important.”

While some thought that Arjun kept a low profile because his films before Singham Again didn’t do well, he thinks otherwise.

“People don’t pay much attention (to you) when your films don’t work. I always knew that. It was not like I’d run away. I’d not even switched off to that extent. However, people want to listen to you when you are doing well. And that’s normal. Success bring you more attention. Failure makes you fade from people’s memory,” he shares.

Ask Arjun how he took care of his mental well-being while he was going through a tough phase, and he says, “The reality is I didn’t speak about it then because I didn’t want to cry about it. It happens to everyone. Sometimes, it lasts a year or two, sometimes a film or two, and sometimes it extends a little longer. You are confused and conflicted, but after the darkest night comes the brightest dawn. You have to believe in that and keep working because the payoff isn’t going to be today. The idea for me to sit today and talk about the past and not celebrate the present would be terrible. Sometimes, we get too caught up in our heads and become negative. But if you look around and find inspiration, it will motivate you.”

Actors Arjun Kapoor and Malaika Arora’s breakup earlier this year made headlines, with Arora remaining mostly silent on the matter while Kapoor occasionally confirmed their separation. So, it came as a surprise when he was spotted by her side following the death of her father, Anil Arora, in September (see right).

In a recent appearance on Raj Shamani’s podcast, Kapoor explained why he chose to be there for his ex during such a difficult time, despite the common belief that exes usually avoid one another. “Without going into one instance... when what happened with dad (filmmaker Boney Kapoor’s wife, Sridevi, died suddenly in 2018) and Khushi-Janhvi (Kapoor, actors-sisters), there was an impulse. And in this case, also, there was an instinct and impulse,” he shared.

“If I’ve formed an emotional bond with somebody, I would always like to believe that I will be there, regardless of the good or the bad. If I’m invited for the good, I’ll be there. And if I’m needed for the bad, I’ll be there. I’m not somebody who has a lot of friends; I’m not doing this for all and sundry. If that person doesn’t want me there, I’ll maintain a distance, as I have in the past with other relationships.”

Kapoor, 39, also reflected on how the media and the industry have evolved over time. “When I made my debut, and when I was growing up, there were a lot of things that were clandestine, and for the right reasons. It’s one thing to have gossip, but the moment you confirm things now, there’s a culture of wanting to know everything. Nowadays, you can’t just go to a restaurant without being ‘spotted’. Everyone has a phone, forget the paps.”

Losing his mother, Mona, at a young age has also shaped his perspective on life and relationships. “There’s a fear of loss,” he said and added: “My mom left me, my father made a choice. So, there’s a feeling that eventually, everyone will leave.”

Whenever there is a series about the entertainment industry, an award show sequence is almost always woven into it. It seems to be true of Aryan Khan’s debut series, Stardom, as well. mid-day has learnt that the first-time writer-director began shooting an award function scene in Mehboob Studios in Bandra yesterday. Sources tell us that as many as 18 stars have been lined up for the sequence.

On Friday, Rajkummar Rao, Arjun Kapoor, Siddhant Chaturvedi, and Shanaya Kapoor filmed their portions. A source reveals further, “On Saturday, Aryan will shoot with his superstar-father Shah Rukh Khan, Sara Ali Khan, and social media influencer Orhan Awatramani aka Orry. Seasoned actors Karisma Kapoor and Neelam, as well as personalities from Bollywood’s inner circle, including Seema Khan, Bhavana Pandey, and Maheep Kapoor, are expected to join. With so many industry figures making cameos, it will be an exhaustive affair. The director plans to wrap up filming by Sunday.” The sequence, we are told, serves as a crucial plot point in the show.

For his maiden directorial venture that is led by Mona Singh and Lakshya, Aryan has chosen to take an intimate look at the world that he knows best—showbiz. Stardom, slated to drop on Netflix next year, has been described as the story of “an ambitious outsider navigating the glitzy yet tricky world of Bollywood.”

What do Stree 2, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Singham Again have in common besides their box-office success? They are all instalments of different franchises. So, it won’t be wrong to say that franchises are the biggest success story of 2024. To Arjun Kapoor, who added a franchise film to his résumé with Singham Again, they are a safety net in current times. “Today, the theatrical business is not assured. Franchises bring a safety net [because] there is a [dedicated] audience,” he reasons.

Detractors have a common grouse against franchises—that they support formulaic storytelling, relying on an established universe. But Kapoor views it differently. To him, they offer an actor the freedom to pursue original storytelling in other projects without worrying about box-office returns. “You can create an ecosystem that allows you to make choices where you can do interesting stuff,” he points out. He also believes the industry should celebrate the art.

“The audience is enjoying franchises and we must service that. It’s not easy to make a hit franchise; there are enough that haven’t done well. We shouldn’t be apologetic about making them. We should be excited about our audience being open to them. At the same time, we must cultivate the new-age mainstream cinema audience,” he urges.

Even as more franchise films are in the pipeline, from Pushpa 2 - The Rule to Drishyam 3, Kapoor insists they haven’t replaced standalone movies. A prime example—Jawan (2023). “Franchises are keeping the churn going. At some point, the [audience] might get fatigued. Original movies also work. Last year, we had Jawan and Animal [2023].”

Actor Arjun Kapoor has shared that his 2 States (2014) co-star Alia Bhatt faced a lot of hatred for being cast in the romantic comedy drama. Bhatt, who portrayed a Tamilian girl in the Abhishek Verman directorial, was trolled for apparently not looking the part.

Kapoor revealed in an interview with Mashable India, “There was absolute disdain and hatred against Alia on social media when she signed 2 States. It was because they said she doesn’t look like a South Indian and her previous film Student Of The Year (2012) hadn’t given her that kind of recognition that was needed to play that role, which was already established at that point because many people had read the book.”

The 39-year-old shared, “There were also other big names that were considered exciting and visually relevant for the role. But Alia just kept her head down and worked. I never heard her complain about anything on the set. She did an audition; she did a photoshoot, and that was the day they decided that she is the right choice for the role.”

He added, “She (Bhatt) shot Highway (2014) and 2 States at the same time. Highway released just before 2 States, and the world’s opinion of Alia Bhatt changed completely and in just one Friday.”

2 States was adapted into a film from a book of the same name penned by writer Chetan Bhagat. The story revolved around a couple who hailed from different cultural backgrounds.

Standing out in an all-star cast of Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Deepika Padukone, Tiger Shroff, Akshay Kumar and Ranveer Singh can’t be easy. But Arjun Kapoor was confident that Danger Lanka, the “unhinged” antagonist in Singham Again, would leave an impression. Evidently, the actor’s gamble has paid off—his performance in director Rohit Shetty’s film is being talked about, even weeks after the release.

“I have played shades of grey since the beginning of my career. But this was an unhinged bad guy. There is no logic. This was a villain who thinks he is doing everything right. I loved depicting that mindset,” begins Kapoor.

Singham Again came to the actor at a time when he was going through a slump after back-to-back underperformers in Ek Villain Returns (2022), Kuttey (2023) and The Lady Killer (2023). Was he surprised that Shetty didn’t care about his box-office performance?

“Credit goes to Rohit sir; he took a chance on me when my films were not doing as well. Also, Singham Again was such a big franchise film on its own that my valuation didn’t matter,” he says.

If Shetty’s world of alpha cops promises larger-than-life heroes, it also carries expectations of villains that are equally mighty. Before the film’s release, many were skeptical whether Kapoor would be able to do justice to the role of Devgn’s nemesis.

Did he harbour doubts? “No, those questions didn’t occur to me because I back myself completely as an artiste. I know what I am capable of. The audience is right in having those questions, but there were hints in my [previous] work, like Ek Villain Returns. Rohit sir is intelligent enough to catch on those hints. The physicality I carry is an advantage. Plus, I’ve been a lead actor; so, you get a [known] face to stand opposite these faces. If it lands, it lands really well. And that’s what happened,” he smiles.

Throughout our conversation, the actor’s belief in his craft is unmistakable. It’s this belief that was his constant companion when he hit a low period. That’s not to say he didn’t have moments of self-doubt. “When you’re down, you’re alone because it’s the nature of this profession. You have to back yourself.” 

The success then must be feeling sweeter today, with a touch of vindication. “Of course! But I did the film not to prove anyone wrong. I did it to prove myself right,” he asserts.

Now, it’s time for Kapoor to reap its benefits. He says there is already a shift in the industry’s outlook towards him. “I sense an excitement where filmmakers are feeling they can see me in different types of roles. Next month, I’ll begin to think about what I want to do next.”

Costume designer Navin Shetty has worked on the Singham franchise since its inception. But with Singham Again bringing together the three established super cops—Ajay Devgn’s Bajirao Singham, Akshay Kumar’s Sooryavanshi, and Ranveer Singh’s Simmba—he had the task of lending a different look to each on-screen hero.

“Rohit sir’s [Shetty, filmmaker] brief was that he wanted Ajay’s civilian look to be different from the previous Singham editions. At the same time, he didn’t want me to lose the strong, tough persona of Bajirao Singham. We have given him solid colours with denims,” says the stylist, breaking down Devgn’s look in the Diwali release.

Next came Kumar and Singh’s avatars. Navin says he thoroughly enjoys working with Kumar. “When you have a fit actor like Akshay sir, you get an upper hand to play around with styles and cuts. Ranveer used to be flamboyantly dressed [in his personal appearances]. Rohit sir wanted to break that image with Simmba [2018].”

Deepika Padukone and Tiger Shroff are the latest entrants in the cop universe. “The youth looks up to Tiger when it comes to fitness. Rohit sir wanted Tiger to look muscular and tough.”

The designer’s brief for Arjun Kapoor’s antagonist was simple—depict him as an all-evil being. “He is the Raavan of the story. We experimented a lot with Arjun’s hair, make-up and costumes. Black was the colour for this guy—strong, wild and deadly.”