Showing posts with label Armaan Jain interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Armaan Jain interview. Show all posts
I don’t wish to return to acting-Armaan Jain
11:02 AM
Onkar Kulkarni (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 16, 2025)
Armaan Jain, who made his acting debut with Lekar Hum Deewana Dil (2014), says he has no plans to return to acting. He has instead moved behind the camera, finding his calling in production and direction. Armaan recently conceptualized, created and produced Dining With The Kapoors, a one-hour film that brings together the Kapoor family over a meal to mark the 100th birth anniversary of his grandfather, legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor. The film captures intimate conversations, shared memories and the family’s well-known love for food.
“Saif is a fantastic cook. He loves cooking and does it passionately. His butter chicken and laal maas are excellent,” he said.
Reflecting on his decision to step away from acting, he said he had given the profession a fair chance. “I don’t wish to return to acting. I gave myself a fair shot. I acted in a film, but it didn’t work out. After that, I did several courses and auditions, even signed a couple of films that fell through at the last minute. There will be ups and downs in life. You try for a few years, but there comes a time when you have to start working and earning instead of investing endlessly in classes and auditions.”
After spending four to five years learning production and direction, he discovered a strong passion for creating films and is now focussing on that, apart from his cloud kitchen business.
On Alia Bhatt missing from his film
Dining With The Kapoors also sparked discussion due to the absence of Kapoor bahu Alia Bhatt. Addressing the speculation, Armaan said, “Many family members had travel plans or work commitments. Alia was shooting at the time. She has watched the film and loved it.”
While food is central to the film, Armaan stressed that its deeper purpose is emotional. “In the last six to seven years, we’ve faced many losses in the family and even lost RK Studio to a fire, along with priceless memorabilia and our ancestral bungalow. But what hasn’t gone away are our traditions and values,” he said.
“The intent of this film was to showcase that emotion and culture. It was made purely out of love for Raj Kapoor.”
We balance for vegetarians, health-conscious diners, and younger palates-Armaan Jain
8:28 AM
(Clockwise from left) Pooja Desai, Bharat Sahni, Ranbir Kapoor, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, Karisma Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Randhir Kapoor, Anissa Jain, Neetu Kapoor (in mustard), Armaan Jain, and Neila Devi in Dining With The Kapoors. Pic Courtesy /Netflix
From classic family get-togethers to cloud kitchens across India, Armaan Jain is feeding the world, one recipe at a time
Nasrin Modak Siddiqi (MID-DAY; November 23, 2025)
Growing up in South Mumbai, Armaan Jain straddled two worlds: the cinematic legacy of his mother’s family, the Kapoors, and the finance-rooted pragmatism of his father’s. Armaan is the son of Rima Jain, Raj Kapoor’s daughter and sister to Rishi, Rajiv, Ritu and Randhir Kapoor, making him first cousin of Kareena, Karisma, and Ranbir.
“Although we had a film family, we didn’t grow up around film sets,” he recalls. “I first went on a shoot when I was 12, just because my friends wanted to see what it was like.”
Jain’s early twenties, however, were dominated by cinema. After deciding at 16 that acting was his path, he spent three to four years at Dharma Productions, learning production and direction. “Your first impression about cinema is the glamour — it’s all smoke. Once you start working, you realize all the hard work that goes into it, and learn to respect the craft.” The exposure to filmmaking proved invaluable later, as he established Aavashyak, a media company.
Jain recalls growing up surrounded by food and family. “My dad’s family is spread across Dubai, London, and other countries, so that meant a lot of travel and big reunions. My mom’s side was classic Kapoor — food, noise, endless get-togethers. For both, food was central.”
His earliest memories are steeped in kitchens. “Both my grandmothers cooked beautifully. From as young as five, I’d sit there for hours watching them. My dad would cook for the whole family — simple, home-style food. Weekends were spent shuttling between homes — some nights with my dadi, some nights with my nani. Those kitchens shaped who I am.”
On his maternal side, the scale was always grand. “Nani would feed everyone — carpenters, relatives, friends — who came home,” Jain recalls. “Food was never just sustenance; it was love, culture, a way to bring everyone together.”
The pandemic gave him the push to bring those flavours to a broader audience. Encouraged by his wife, Anissa Malhotra, he turned to his first love: cooking. “People have always praised my food. Anissa said, ‘Let’s test it out. Take these home recipes and serve them to people.’”
By 2021, The Junglee Kitchen was born. Jain cooked and packaged orders while Anissa handled logistics.
Today, The brand has seven outlets, partnering with Bengaluru’s Dil Foods, with plans to scale to 200 outlets within the next two to three years. “I see it as feeding the world, starting with India. The cloud kitchen model offers a reach that a single restaurant never could achieve.”
For Jain, the philosophy is straightforward: authenticity above all. The menu is built on generational recipes of dishes made at his grandfather’s home, Deonar Cottage, in Chembur. From kebabs to butter chicken to Junglee Maas and fragrant pulavs, some of these are family’s classics; others are what he has improvised over time.
“We balance for vegetarians, health-conscious diners, and younger palates, but the core Kapoor recipes don’t change. The ghee, the richness, the love — that stays,” he adds.
Food isn’t just a business for Jain; it’s a legacy. In his latest project, Dining With The Kapoors, that released on Netflix on Friday, one can witness his emotional attachment to the recipes. The project is life coming a full-circle moment for him. It began as a conversation with his mother around Raj Kapoor’s 100th birthday.
“We were chatting about the old days and we spoke of how food always brought us together — it’s how Indian families connect. I wanted to celebrate him in a way that was intimate, real, and not a documentary, beyond the glamour of cinema, and over one intimate sit-down meal,” says Jain who has played multiple roles — conceptualizing, writing, shooting, and producing it. He even took a brief sabbatical from his food business to focus on the film.
“Food and cinema aren’t just work for me, they are a part of my DNA. I was born two years after Raj Kapoor died. You only hear stories about him and his love for food and life, projects like this help preserve memories and traditions,” he signs off.
Even Ranbir chills over food, football, video games-Armaan Jain
8:45 AM
Roshmilla Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 16, 2014)
It
is not everyday that A R Rahman jets down to Mumbai from Los Angeles to introduce a newcomer.
But he did exactly that for Armaan Jain, Raj Kapoor's grandson, who will make his showbiz debut with Lekar Hum Deewana Dil. The music of the film has been composed by the Oscar winner. The last time Rahman performed at a promotional concert was in 2011, for Rockstar, starring Armaan's cousin Ranbir Kapoor.
“Having Rahman sir score for, sing and promote my film is a huge honour. It can't get bigger than this. Till now, I had been stealing scratches of the songs to play at home, now I have them on the loop. This week's favourite is Mawalli Qawwali," admits the new Kapoor, or rather Jain on the block.
Isn't Kapoor a more saleable name in this business? Pat comes the reply, “I am very proud and comfortable being a Jain and wouldn't change my name for anything in the world. And if I'm accepted by the people, I don't think it makes a difference if you are a Kapoor or a Jain."
Armaan is Raj Kapoor's daughter Rima Jain's son. He grew up watching the stock market reports with his investment banker dad every morning, returning from school to play different sports, including football. It was his nanaji (Raj Kapoor) who introduced him to the magic of cinema with Mera Naam Joker. Since he was a fussy eater, his mother would replay the circus scenes from the film while he had his meals. “For years, I believed my grandfather was a joker in real life and I would do silly things to make people laugh. I even asked my parents if I could join a circus and be a joker. They told me to concentrate on my studies instead," he chuckles.
His naniji, Krishna Raj Kapoor, to whom he had once confided that he wanted to be a joker, left her home after almost a decade last Thursday to join his paternal grandparents, uncles Randhir, Rishi and Rajeev, and cousins Karisma and Kareena and root for him at the concert. “It was the greatest day of my life."
The Kapoors have been solidly supporting Armaan. In an interview to Mirror (May 12), director Arif Ali had revealed that Abhishek Varman, 2 States director, had recommended Armaan who was an assistant director on Student Of The Year. And Arif had asked Ranbir to convince his cousin to do the film. Later, Ranbir had given the debutant a pep talk over kebabs during a meeting with Arif, Arif's brother Imtiaz Ali and producer Dinesh Vijan. “It wasn't a pep talk, we were just hanging out and the kebabs were great," protests Armaan, pointing out that nobody in his family has every told him what to do or discussed movies with him. “When we get together, we just chill over food. Even with Ranbir bhaiya it's just food, football and video games." So is he prepared for the inevitable comparisions with Ranbir? “Yes,“ he quips. “That's only fair. But as mom told me, `Don't think too much, it's best to leave the future to God'."
Interestingly, it is not Karan Johar who he assisted for three years on three films, who's launching him, but brother-in-law Saif Ali Khan. “Saif was busy shooting when I was signed by Dinoo (Dinesh) and I was the one who called Kareena to inform her that I was doing a film for her company," he laughs, adding that it was KJo who suggested the name for the title - a song from Yaadon Ki Baraat. “Right now my only thought is to bag a second film once my contract ends on July 4. I am yet to get another offer."
And just when you wonder if there's a real love story going on, he guffaws, “Where's the time for love? I'm married to my work"
But he did exactly that for Armaan Jain, Raj Kapoor's grandson, who will make his showbiz debut with Lekar Hum Deewana Dil. The music of the film has been composed by the Oscar winner. The last time Rahman performed at a promotional concert was in 2011, for Rockstar, starring Armaan's cousin Ranbir Kapoor.
“Having Rahman sir score for, sing and promote my film is a huge honour. It can't get bigger than this. Till now, I had been stealing scratches of the songs to play at home, now I have them on the loop. This week's favourite is Mawalli Qawwali," admits the new Kapoor, or rather Jain on the block.
Isn't Kapoor a more saleable name in this business? Pat comes the reply, “I am very proud and comfortable being a Jain and wouldn't change my name for anything in the world. And if I'm accepted by the people, I don't think it makes a difference if you are a Kapoor or a Jain."
Armaan is Raj Kapoor's daughter Rima Jain's son. He grew up watching the stock market reports with his investment banker dad every morning, returning from school to play different sports, including football. It was his nanaji (Raj Kapoor) who introduced him to the magic of cinema with Mera Naam Joker. Since he was a fussy eater, his mother would replay the circus scenes from the film while he had his meals. “For years, I believed my grandfather was a joker in real life and I would do silly things to make people laugh. I even asked my parents if I could join a circus and be a joker. They told me to concentrate on my studies instead," he chuckles.
His naniji, Krishna Raj Kapoor, to whom he had once confided that he wanted to be a joker, left her home after almost a decade last Thursday to join his paternal grandparents, uncles Randhir, Rishi and Rajeev, and cousins Karisma and Kareena and root for him at the concert. “It was the greatest day of my life."
The Kapoors have been solidly supporting Armaan. In an interview to Mirror (May 12), director Arif Ali had revealed that Abhishek Varman, 2 States director, had recommended Armaan who was an assistant director on Student Of The Year. And Arif had asked Ranbir to convince his cousin to do the film. Later, Ranbir had given the debutant a pep talk over kebabs during a meeting with Arif, Arif's brother Imtiaz Ali and producer Dinesh Vijan. “It wasn't a pep talk, we were just hanging out and the kebabs were great," protests Armaan, pointing out that nobody in his family has every told him what to do or discussed movies with him. “When we get together, we just chill over food. Even with Ranbir bhaiya it's just food, football and video games." So is he prepared for the inevitable comparisions with Ranbir? “Yes,“ he quips. “That's only fair. But as mom told me, `Don't think too much, it's best to leave the future to God'."
Interestingly, it is not Karan Johar who he assisted for three years on three films, who's launching him, but brother-in-law Saif Ali Khan. “Saif was busy shooting when I was signed by Dinoo (Dinesh) and I was the one who called Kareena to inform her that I was doing a film for her company," he laughs, adding that it was KJo who suggested the name for the title - a song from Yaadon Ki Baraat. “Right now my only thought is to bag a second film once my contract ends on July 4. I am yet to get another offer."
And just when you wonder if there's a real love story going on, he guffaws, “Where's the time for love? I'm married to my work"
As a kid I thought that the joker in Mera Naam Joker was my grandfather-Armaan Jain
8:42 AM
Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; June 2, 2014)
Armaan Jain, 23, is Raj Kapoor's fourth grandchild, who would be entering the movies. He is ambitious, easygoing and reserved and is both, nervous and excited, before his debut in Arif Ali's Lekar Hum Deewana Dil. While he looks up to Aamir Khan and Leonardo DiCaprio in the movies, he looks up to his father, Manoj Jain, in real life. Over an hour-long conversation with the Bombay Times, he talks about his spiritual connection with Raj Kapoor, his love for his nani Krishna Raj and why his mother Rima Jain should have been an actor. Excerpts:
Talk about your family background?
My mother, Rima Jain, is Raj Kapoor's daughter. My dada is basically from Bijnor in UP , where we have farms and own a big mango orchard. My dada had then moved to Lagos. My father studied at the London School of Economics in UK, after which he worked at Lagos before they all returned to India. My family was into garment exports and got into finance catering to the middle-class. My father Manoj Jain is an investment banker. My dad and Rajiv (Kapoor) mama were best friends and thus, my dad would often visit my nana's house, where he met my mom.
Also, my dad's sister was my mom's best friend. My dad would often go there and have a drink with my nana (Raj Kapoor). It was my nana's last wish that my mother marry my dad and thus, four months post his death, they got married. Rajiv mama was my dad's closest friend and he did not have kids, so he brought us up as his kids. He has always been a godfather to me. I have a younger brother Aadar, who also wants to get into films.
When did you know that you wanted to be an actor?
After school, I went to Regent College in London for my under-graduation to take a business degree. While I always knew in my heart that I wanted to be in films, I didn't have the guts to tell my parents that then. I topped my class in the first year, but felt that I was wasting time and money there. I actually wanted to come back and start working in films. In between my semesters, I got the opportunity to meet Karan Johar in Mumbai, who was then directing My Name Is Khan. I went to him and he took me as an assistant director under him. I told my parents that I wanted to drop out of Regent. I went around in circles in front of my parents telling them that, but, surprisingly, they were fine as long as I was going to give my 100% to what I was going to do. I assisted for three years in Dharma and worked on I Hate Luv Storys, Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu and finally SOTY. I got passionate about direction and was struck by the camera. While assisting on SOTY, Abhishek Varman and I became really good friends. So, when Arif Ali was looking out for a new person, he referred me to him. I was auditioned three times before I was finally selected. When I was young, I used to watch a lot of my nana's movies. It would be either watching football or cricket or his movies. He died before I was born, so I always wanted to know who my grandfather was. I had a birthday party when I was two. I love jokers and my mom did a clown party for me. I must have watched Mera Naam Joker 50 times. Since I did not see my grandfather, I somehow believed as a kid that the joker in Mera Naam Joker was my grandfather. I always loved the joker. In school I would always do things that were stupid and crazy and make people laugh. That was my high. I wanted to always entertain and be the centre of attraction and knew that the best platform for me was movies.
Who do you love the most in the world?
My parents and my brother. Till today, there is nothing in my life hidden from them. I have never dated anyone as till three years back, I was an overweight kid at 100 kilos. I wish girls looked at me, but they didn't. I have now dropped 30 kilos. My nani used to feed me ghee everyday. Food is my biggest weakness. Whenever nani organises a dinner, we are such a family that everyone is there happily talking and enjoying their food. Everyone loves food in our family. I am an open book and my mom would just probably like to control my temper a little bit, as I get angry at times. My dad is proud of what I am doing and he is the one person I look up to for everything. It's his personality, the way he is with people, friendly , human, speaking to each and everyone the same way, be it the watchman, us or someone working in the house.
You are close to your nani Krishna Raj. Talk about her.
All through my growing up years, I would spend one weekend with my dada-dadi and one with my nani in Chembur, where she lives with my mamas - Randhir and Rajiv. I am very emotionally attached to her. She is very elegant. Till today, she will take 45 minutes to put on her makeup after taking her shower. I am fascinated with the way she wears her white sari and takes 45 minutes to wear her makeup. She will joke with me and say , 'I have a lot of men coming to see me.' Once we went on a cruise ship for a holiday . And we bumped into a mannequin. She looked at him and said, 'This is the first man who has fallen on me.' She is very funny and has a great sense of humour. My nani is the reason I was fat. I can't say no to her. She complimented me after seeing the trailer, but she is more nervous than my mom about my film.
Tell us about your mom Rima Jain?
My mom is closest to her sister Ritu Nanda, as sisters are always close. My mom was torn between her sister and me last year when my mausie Ritu Nanda was being treated for cancer in the US. My mom was there with her throughout and was torn between me and her, as I was at that time shooting for my film. I always feel that my mom should have been an actor. As an actor, I look up to her more than anyone else. She just has it. She is hyper, happy, full of energy with a spark in her eyes always. She is always cracking jokes and entertaining people. My grandfather was closest to my mom amongst his children, so while growing up she would always tell me about him being dildaar, a foodie and a workaholic, who was totally consumed by films.
My mom always said, 'When people pass away , they become God.' When I walk in to a set, I somewhere always believe that my grandfather is somewhere in me, around me. I take his name and Ganpati Bappa's name everytime I walk in. I feel a certain power that I can't explain. My mom heard somewhere that camera is your God, work is worship and that has stayed with me. In RK Studio, there is a room that used to be my nana's costume studio which has his film posters, costumes and most importantly, the joker from Mera Naam Joker. It is normally kept locked and nobody goes there. But I go there very often. I feel restless that I have not seen him. Every time I go there, I get fascinated and get teary eyed.
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