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.”

Filmmaker Mohit Suri has put an end to speculations about working with actor Shraddha Kapoor again, confirming that there are no plans for a reunion. Mohit, who previously directed Shraddha in Aashiqui 2 (2013), Ek Villain (2014) and Half Girlfriend (2017), revealed that he hasn’t “even spoken to Shraddha in months”.

“There is no collaboration. Not with me, for sure,” says the 43-year-old director, addressing the buzz around a possible Aashiqui cast reunion.

Currently immersed in the post-production of his upcoming project, Mohit also clarifies that while Shraddha is reportedly working on a new project under producer Ektaa R Kapoor’s banner, he is not involved in it: “I’m not directing it,” Mohit concludes.

On Wednesday, as shoots ground to a halt in the city, it was ironically a new beginning for Arjun Kapoor. He winged his way to Goa to kick off Ek Villain Returns, which also features John Abraham, Disha Patani and Tara Sutaria. After bringing on the laughs in Bhoot Police and Sardar Ka Grandson, it is time for Kapoor to delve into his intense side, and he is glad to navigate the complex character under the watchful eyes of director Mohit Suri.

The actor has been looking forward to reuniting with the filmmaker since Half Girlfriend (2017). “I always tell my friends and family that apart from Aditya Chopra who believed in me, I know Mohit has always had faith in me. When I work with him, I [look forward] to keeping my head down and simply learning from him. He is a mainstream filmmaker who offers [creative freedom] to his actors. That balance is important for me,” says Kapoor, who came on board the sequel to the 2014 hit after Aditya Roy Kapur dropped out. 

According to the actor, Suri not only has a knack for crafting thrillers, but also has a keen ear for music. “I am excited to see the kind of music he will give me. I have been fortunate [to have brilliant music] in Ishaqzaade [2012] and 2 States [2014], but Half Girlfriend’s album was on a different level, be it Baarish or Phir Bhi Tumko Chahunga.”

The debacle of Half Girlfriend (2017) notwithstanding, director Mohit Suri is looking forward to reuniting with Arjun Kapoor for Ek Villain 2. The filmmaker reveals that the thriller — also featuring John Abraham, Disha Patani and Tara Sutaria — will present Kapoor in a new light.

"When we were making Half Girlfriend, Arjun would keep saying that a Bollywood hero should have an action film in his filmography. So, he is kicked about Ek Villain 2. He wants to play the quintessential bad boy; he did that in Ishaqzaade [2012] and it worked wonders for him. After his good-boy act in Half Girlfriend, it will be fun to explore this side to him," says Suri. For the uninitiated, the director had initially cast Aditya Roy Kapur for the sequel to the 2014 thriller of the same name. However, the actor exited the project due to creative differences.

Suri hopes to take the film on floors by January 2021. "Even though the story is set in India, we cannot shoot here due to the Coronavirus crisis. We are planning to shoot abroad as the situation is relatively under control. We are in the process of zeroing in on the locations," adds the filmmaker.

After designer Masaba Gupta-Mantena, it's Shraddha Kapoor who is in the eye of a social media storm for supporting the anti-cracker-Diwali movement. The actress took to two of her social media accounts and posted a video and text.

The video features her petting a canine friend, and saying, “Hi everyone. It's that time of the year when Diwali is just around the corner. I just want to say, please don't buy firecrackers and don't burst crackers. Not only does it cause pollution, but it also troubles all the animals on the streets. So, instead spend Diwali with family and loved ones, eat food and sweets but don't burst crackers.“

The text message reads: “Diwali is coming - the Festival of Lights..not of noise & air pollution. Help keep the air clean & be sensitive to the animals on the streets. (sic)“ While a few followers supported her stance, there were hundreds of social media users who trolled it. One of the users posted a picture of Arjun Kapoor and her posing with fireworks during the promotions of Half Girlfriend and said, “Don't burst crackers on Diwali, save it for @ShraddhaKapoor's movie promotion.“ Another wrote, “Jab tum bollywood walo ki movie hit karti hain to khub patakhe jalate ho aur hame Diwali patakhe na jalane ki salah dete ho. (sic)“

Incidentally, two years ago, Anushka Sharma had run a campaign called #PAWsitive. She extensively tweeted about the effects of firecrackers on birds, stray dogs and cats apart from the pets that are well-looked after at home. Her campaign garnered a lot of support on social media. However, after the Supreme Court called for a ban on the sale of firecrackers in Delhi and NCR this Diwali, Masaba was targetted on social media and abused by a section of users for supporting the Apex Court's ruling.

Till we went to press, Shraddha hadn't responded to our messages or sent out a message to the trolls.

In a span of less than five years, Arjun Kapoor has managed to make a mark in the film industry with a variety of roles. Despite wanting to be a mainstream Hindi film hero, he has not shied away from experimenting with niche films. As he says, “When you have survived for four-five years and have a body of work, you should only look towards making more inroads. You cannot be stuck in personas of being massy, urban, classy, sophisticated or rustic. These are tags that you can break.“ In a candid chat with BT, ahead of the release of his upcoming film Mubarakan, the actor talks about breaking stereo types, associating with directors who come from various schools of thought, and how he'd never do a film that portrays women derogatorily. Excerpts...

When one looks at your repertoire of eight films in the past five years and the way you have gone about choosing them, there seems to be a method behind it. Would you say that this assumption is correct?
I auditioned for my first film and that's how I got it. After my first film, I was just happy that I had been accepted. I wanted to dabble in all genres, so I chose a Gunday, which was a larger-than-life film. I then chose to do 2 States because the conflict that the character went through appealed to me as it was quintessentially Indian in nature. I did a film like Aurangzeb as it was a non-song film, which at that time was attracting the audience to the multiplexes. I did a Finding Fanny because I love Homi Adajania's madness. Also, I wanted to share screen space with Naseeruddin Shah and Pankaj Kapur and learn from them. I didn't say yes to everything that came my way, but I did give my nod to exciting projects. When Ki & Ka came my way, I realised no boy will say yes to this role. The film's director, R Balki, narrated one line and said that he had not even thought about it. I jumped at it because I felt it was tailor-made for somebody with my physicality. I took a chance with the film and consciously worked towards it as it went against the grain and it also paid off. Half Girlfriend was exciting because the texture of the storytelling was again Indian. There are certain things that pique an actor's interest, and that's why you veer towards certain subjects.

While you are a creative person, you also understand how it is to produce a film. Do these two viewpoints - one artistic and the other commercial - create a conflict in your mind?
Well, what I do take into account is that, I don't want anybody losing money on my film. Even if I am experimenting and pushing the envelope, the film should be safeguarded, so that the risk taken doesn't cost somebody their job. Besides, no human being can predict how a film will perform at the box office. The one responsibility that every actor should shoulder is to secure the producer to whatever degree they can. With every film performing well at the box office, your saleability as an actor improves. That doesn't mean you are becoming a better actor. When I signed Finding Fanny, I knew it was an experimental film. I did it intentionally. It was a film made in English for a certain audience, it still earned close to Rs 30 crore at the box office. But when you compare it with 2 States, which released earlier, it won't make sense. If you look at it in isolation, my responsibility was to attract the audience into theatres and ensure that my presence didn't lead to the budget going overboard, and I think I achieved that. Being part of a film like that gave me creative satisfaction and it's one of my best-reviewed films as well. Commercial success of a film is different from making a film commercially viable.

After Anees Bazmee's Mubarakan, you have been roped in by Dibakar Banerjee for Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar. How does an actor straddle these two diametrically opposite worlds that these filmmakers represent?
The excitement lies in the fact that I will be going from one world to another. That's exactly how every actor wants to be challenged. As an actor, I should have the ability to navigate these different spaces and be well-rounded. In a calendar year, I have Mohit Suri, Anees Bazmee and Dibakar Banerjee as filmmakers to work with, this only helps me showcase my range as a performer. I will be dedicating a month to prep up for Dibakar's film. The reasons for doing Mubarakan and Sandeep And Pinky Faraar are for its makers and the material they have to offer. I get to live vicariously through directors, who create diametrically opposite worlds; how lucky am I!

Tiger Shroff recently said that he is happy that he has a fan following among the audience in the B and C centres. Since films like 2 States and Ki & Ka have worked more than say a Tevar, do you fear that you will be tagged as a hero appealing to the multiplexes and not the masses? Like we often say, a metrosexual hero...
I don't think I have been tagged as a metrosexual hero. Half Girlfriend did well in UP, Bihar, Rajasthan and Indore. Gunday also did well in those regions. Ishaqzaade was a pan-India success at that point. It wasn't massy in its texture, but people from across the country saw it. I am not looking at whether the film will work in the A, B or C centres, and I think that reflects in my selection of films. I am always trying to meander my way into every household in India. I want to be a pan India hero. That's how you can survive. When you have survived for four or five years and have a body of work, you should only look towards making more inroads. You cannot be stuck in personas of being massy, urban, classy, sophisticated or rustic. These are tags that you can break.

While most actors are image conscious, you are conscious about not creating any image. So, in a way, you are not yet completely Bollywoodised...
I am very proud that I hail from the film fraternity. I am never apologetic about it. That doesn't mean that there aren't other facets to my personality. I am a well-rounded person, not just physically (laughs). I am a huge Bollywood fan, but that's not all that there is to me. There is enough time for various facets of my persona to come to the forefront.

From your interviews and your public persona, you come across as a feminist. If a film that you are offered portrays women derogatorily, would you voice your objection to it?
Films mirror society. When you read about a character, if it's not written with a particular agenda, say where they not purposely trying to malign the opposite sex and the journey brings about a catharsis, then it makes sense. Take for example my first film - if I was doing Zoya's role and reading about Parma, it's not my job to question the director about the boy's behaviour with the girl. He is doing that because that is what happens in society, sadly. The second half then goes on to say what the boy stands to lose for behaving the way he does with women. If a film is derogatory towards women, I won't affiliate myself with it. That is not the reality I would like to put out in the world.

But what's your response when people say that films and film stars influence the masses?
If we, as filmmakers and creative people, start becoming the do-gooders and the cleansers of society, it means that the infrastructure of our government has let us down drastically. Do you mean to say that we are the only cause for everything bad that happens in the country? If that is the case, then there is a fundamental flaw in the system.

It's common for actors to get involved with the roles they portray on screen. However, it's rare when you hear of someone being turned away from dubbing because she didn't sound like her screen character. Ask Shraddha Kapoor, who was politely told by Mohit Suri to dub for Half-Girlfriend (HG) some other day. The actress had already begun shooting for Haseena Parkar, director Apoorva Lakhia's biopic on Dawood Ibrahim's sister, when she had to dub for her romantic drama.

However, while Shraddha was shuttling between two films, Mohit felt that her voice seemed a little too baritone for her character Riya (in HG). It was only when he learnt that she had been shooting for Haseena Parkar that required a certain voice, he suggested she wraps up the ongoing schedule of that film and then resume her dubbing. And going by the response the actress is getting for her voice in the biopic's teaser, one can understand why Mohit must have taken the decision.

She's the original czarina of television, whose serials redefined the way Indians watched TV. However, her foray into films was seen with cynicism - 'dekhte hain kya karti hai'. While her tryst with the box office has been interspersed with hits and misses, some of her big-screen ventures didn't exactly replicate the success of her small-screen outings. Half Girlfriend (HG), her first release this year, has given the much-needed boost to her company (Balaji Motion Pictures), but Ekta Kapoor asserts that she's not planning big ventures. In an exclusive chat with BT, she says that she will only make movies on strong subjects and focus more on producing digital content for her mobile app, which was launched last month. Excerpts...

You have begun the year on a successful note with Half Girlfriend...
Yes, it had a good beginning and maintained well on Monday and Tuesday as well. Anyone in my place would be ecstatic. I had earlier produced Ek Villain (2014), which was also directed by Mohit (Suri), so I knew that his films connect well with the masses. There is a section of audience that loves melodrama. Having said that, you can never tell how a film will open. It's the first time in the past year-and-a-half that distributors have called up saying that my film is running to packed houses.

However, critics haven't been too kind in their reviews. The audiences also seem to have mixed reactions...
(Laughs) I look at it this way; clearly, here, we have two nations in one - India and Bharat. Right in the beginning, my marketing head told me that there is a lot of prejudice against Chetan Bhagat (author of the book Half Girlfriend and also one of the film's producers). Most of the reviews were also more Chetan-bashing than film-bashing. In a way, I was expecting such a reaction, but check the numbers and you'll see that the film is tracking almost at the top. Across the world, there is a tendency among the high class to look down upon writers of popular fiction. Chetan's strong opinions irk some people. Moreover, Arjun (Kapoor) and Shraddha (Kapoor) also enjoy a huge mass connect, and our so-called intellectuals have a problem with that as well.

Any plans of another film with Mohit and Arjun?
I don't want to reveal any plans right now. But I must say, working with Arjun has been a revelation. I had preconceived notions about working with a producer's son, but he is very hard-working. He has been subjected to so much bodyshaming; ironically, by the same intellectuals who cry hoarse against it. Mohit made HG with all his heart. This is his best work so far.

You've backed films that few would bet their money on. Last year, it was Udta Punjab, which didn't have any takers before you got on board. Like you said, Chetan also attracts a lot of negative reactions...
I don't want to work with biases; that's a myopic way of looking at life. I knew HG would work with the masses. It is the Naagin (TV serial) of my films. I remember waking up to articles about how regressive it is. And, the same people watch Game Of Thrones and Harry Potter. Naagin is our folklore, it's rooted in India, but there was no respect for it. However, despite being panned by critics, that show got me ratings and this film got me box office numbers.

After some of your films flopped, reports said you were going slow on production. Has HG paved the way ahead for re-strategising?
I won't deny that we're going slow on production. Now, I want to be making, selling and promoting only the movies I believe in. I have Veere Di Wedding with Kareena Kapoor Khan and Sonam Kapoor, Laila Majnu with Imtiaz Ali as its creative director, and a film with Gattu (cousin, director Abhishek Kapoor), which has an interesting subject. That's enough for now. Apart from these films, I'll take a call depending on the subject. Otherwise, I'm focusing on my app ALT Balaji and digital content. I don't want to say I have huge plans. What saddens me about the industry is that people refuse to accept each other's success. They feel happy about other's failures and your own peers pull you down. They don't realise that when a film flops, the industry also suffers.

Early this week, Pritam Chakraborty made an exit from his upcoming film Raabta. He stated on his social media page, “I had decided a while back to only do solo composer albums and not have an outside song in my album. In Raabta, producers want to recreate an existing song from the music label as part of promotions, so I have decided to not continue with the film and requested the producers to take out my name from the film credits and promotions and the album will be completed by my company.“

Bollywood, at the moment, is simmering with examples of films that boast of multiple composers. From the one-composer-one-album norm, the industry has veered towards the idea of having multiple composers in an album of five or six songs. Of course, seniors do have their way and that explains why plenty of albums have a single composer, too. A R Rahman, Amit Trivedi, Vishal-Shekhar, Anu Malik, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy are among the composers, who don't share credits with others. On the other hand, Amaal Mallik, Tanishk Bagchi and Mithoon represent the breed that seems okay with the idea of partnering with fellow composers.

REASONS GALORE
“Someone like Mohit Suri ropes in multiple composers for creative reasons. We've worked well on Half Girlfriend and Aashiqui 2. I'm careful while choosing projects where I'm not the solo composer. Also, as far as ego and insecurity are concerned, if you are passionate about your craft, you will shine irrespective of who you work with,“ says Mithoon.

Filmmaker Mohit Suri can be credited for flagging off the trend a decade ago. Soundtracks made with this formula work, but the track record isn't 100 per cent. “Getting songs from different composers worked because each one brought a different flavour. I'm not against working with a single composer, but then, he must satisfy my need for variety. Specialization is the nature of the game. With one composer for each song, I also reduce the pressure on the composer,“ argues Mohit.

Commerce, variety and giving new talent a platform are some of the reasons music companies and film makers opt for multiple composers. Singer Sonu Nigam, who maintains a neutral stance, points out the similar treatment was meted out to singers about a decade ago. He recalls how composers would make several singers record a single track. “It's evolution. By making 10 singers record a song, composers like Pritam had once reduced the importance of singers. By roping in multiple composers, companies are now doing the same thing to them. Labels that make films call the shots. And you have to fall in line,“ he says.

MY ALBUM, MY SONGS
Anu Malik, who insists on working solo, contends that after creating a repertoire, he doesn't feel the need to stand in a crowd. And if he's ever cornered to do that, he fears it would pull down the quality of work. “It's a different story if you do it dosti khaate mein. But I don't think a composer should be forced to share credits with others. I don't mind two albums a year, but I mind being asked to give two songs in an album. I will never be able to do justice to an album I don't own,“ he says.

Ehsaan, who follows a similar school of thought, opines that record companies have placed their faith on that one hit song that can help a film sail through. And so, they often run to several composers to find that one chartbuster. He concludes, “In so many cases, like Kaala Chashma in Baar Baar Dekho, the music has done well, but it hasn't done any thing to save the film. In the olden days, songs became hits because they thrived on the film's popularity. The scenario is exactly opposite today, which pressures composers and dilutes the creative process. Though we don't conform to this way of functioning, if it works for someone, bless them.“

On the eve of his next release, Arjun Kapoor is full of steam. Well yes, he has a cuppa coffee (strictly decaf), to keep him going, but when it comes to conversations, he usually has all engines fired. Nothing halfbaked. When it comes to work, he confesses that in the last five years, he has known nothing beyond facing the camera. No half measures there. Ask him about his love life, and he blatantly says that he's so selfish about his work that he has “not been able to make that mental switch to let a woman into his life.“ No half-hearted emotion there, too. Awaiting the release of Half Girlfriend, directed by Mohit Suri, Arjun talks about cinema, competition and and the choices he has made. Some right, some wrong, but always wholehearted. Excerpts...

In Half Girlfriend, you play a guy who comes from a small town in Bihar. However, you appear to be like any other city boy, until you speak, of course. In a way, that is reflective of our country, where you can't tell the divide between people based on how they dress anymore...
During my first interaction with Mohit, we were very clear that we didn't want to go the clichéd way and amp up the Bihari babu aspect of my character, Madhav Jha. The Ganga divides Bihar into two, so the boli is different. One side is more Hindi-speaking and the other side is more Thainth. We decided to keep my character more Hindi-speaking. Madhav watches a lot of sports and is a basketball player, so that makes him more relevant. Yes, he is from a village, but nowadays, anyone can get inspired by M S Dhoni and Virat Kohli and style their hair like them. Today, even villages have allowed their children to grow and evolve.

On the surface, we always assume that someone who speaks sophisticated English is smarter, impressive and cooler. Right?
There is a line in the film that I love; it's in the scene where I am appearing for an interview for college admission. The principal tells me that I seem pretty sorted, but my English is not that great. Madhav then turns around and replies, “Sir, chota mooh badi baat, par ek baat kehna chahta hoon. Kya aap ek samajhdhar chhaatr ko lena chahenge ya fir aise chhaatr ko jo doosre desh ki bhasha bahut badhiya bolta ho?“ That dialogue hit me. We are all conditioned to connect intelligence with language. No one has the time today to really get to know a person, so you generally end up judging a book by its cover.

We have all gone through the puppylove phase in college. When you were younger, did you face rejection in love?
I didn't spend too much time in college, but if you are talking about that growing-up phase, I had confidence issues. I never considered myself ugly, and was never negative about the way I looked, but I definitely didn't have the confidence to communicate openly with the opposite sex. I always felt that they would gauge me by the way I looked. That happens when you are young because nobody can convince you otherwise, until you start believing yourself that they will accept you for who you are.

You haven't been in a steady relationship in a while. Or have you?
It's been quite some time since I have been in a relationship. I have always put myself out in the open and said that I would love to be in a relationship; but maybe, my actions don't support it. I am selfish about my work. I don't know if it's good or bad, but it is the only thing I have known for the last five years. I guess because of that, subconsciously, I'm not allowing a woman into my life right now.

There are a lot of successful actors who have a great love life, too. Work and love can always be balanced if your heart is in it...
From the outside, it might seem like I am in a place that is very calm and comfortable, and at times, I feel it too. But while prioritizing work over everything else, I have not been able to make that mental switch to let a woman into my life. When you are with somebody and you know that there is a possibility of it turning into something special, you have to make time for that person and make some changes in yourself for it to work out. People around me know that I am selfish when it comes to my work, and I often take them for granted. They love me and they understand that.

Is it also because you are fiercely ambitious?
I am getting an opportunity to do the kind of work that I have only dreamt of, and I know that I have to work very hard to survive in this business. I will be 32 in a month. Of course, there is a desire to excel in my professional life so that I can eventually excel in my personal life. But at times, I question myself... 'Have I excelled enough, so much that I can totally focus on my personal life and give it my all?' In the beginning, when I had just lost my mother (in March 2012), I took on a lot of work thinking that it was the best way to fill the vacuum in my life. Then, I realised that no matter how hard I try, I can't fill that void, but by then, working had become like a drug. As complex as it may sound, when I am not working, I don't know what to do with myself and my mind. I believe that when you want something badly, you would do anything for it. I guess as far as love is concerned, I haven't reached that stage yet.

The industry is becoming an increasingly competitive space. Do you feel the need to up your game?
I am ambitious, but if somebody else's movie is not good, it doesn't make my movie better. I am aware that every Friday, an actor's fate changes. You can be the next big thing on one Friday and the next week, you could be written off. In the bigger picture, I have always believed that sabki chale, meri thodi zyada chale. I would get worried if there were limited films being made and we all had to fight it out, but fortunately, that's not the case. If I survive long enough in the industry, I can fulfill all my ambitions without really having to cut anyone else's way or wishing ill for anyone. I believe that if your work is not good, aap kitna bhi doosron ke bare mein bura soch lo, film nahi chalegi. Agar aapka kaam logon ko pasand nahi aayega, kuch nahi ho sakta hai. I firmly believe that waqt se pehle kuch nahi milta aur agar milna hai, toh sahi waqt par milega. So, my ambition is to reach a point where I am untouchable. I want to reach a stage in my career where every time I step out to do a film, I create a better benchmark for myself, where nobody can compete with me, but myself.

From a film like Ishaqzaade (2012), where you played a macho man with a certain dominance who sexually violated a woman, to playing more urban roles, the tuning is so different...
As an actor, you have to understand at some point that you won't always agree with your characters. If you want that kind of a deep connection with your characters, it will get difficult to do roles. If Parma (from Ishaqzaade) had not reacted that way when he was slapped by a girl, it wouldn't be him. He doesn't think, he is an animal. In real life, I am not an animal and I would despise anyone who would do that to a woman, but that doesn't mean that I can't play him on screen. Characters can sometimes be risky, but you have to detach yourself from them. I stand by one thing: cinema is inspired by reality and we depict situations that occur in real life. Thankfully, I think that now, the audience is not coming to watch movies for lessons in moral science. They want the truth depicted minus all the sugar-coating. If that wasn't the case, a film like Ishaqzaade would have been detrimental to my career.

Talking about risks, you have taken quite a few in your career - from Aurangzeb (2013) and Finding Fanny (2014) to Ki & Ka (2016), which were a stretch from the regular Bollywood fare. Were you able to make these choices also because you knew that you would get a second chance and had a back-up?
But where was my backing? I bagged my first film after an audition and based on that, I ended up signing 2 States (2014), Finding Fanny and Gunday (2014). I never for once took it for granted that I can do films because I will get them easily. We have seen enough examples of actors who have been one-hit wonders. With every role, you have to assess the merit of the film. Nahi chali toh theek hai nahi chala ...that is not my attitude. Mujhe har film se farak padta hai. So, if films like 2 States and Gunday were not accepted well, would I have got more work? I doubt it. I would have probably got some work, but not the kind that I want to do. I worked with my father out of choice (Tevar, 2015), which everyone seems to forget. I made that choice in my sixth film and it wasn't like money was lying at home so...chalo papa, picture banayein. I did it when I felt right about it, not to just take my career somewhere else. It isn't about anyone backing you, it's about the director believing in you.

Her idea of love is being inspired by fairy tales, but he prefers rational about romance. She is emotional, while he is practical to a fault. They may be poles apart, but together, Shraddha Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor exude an effortless chemistry and camaraderie. In a candid chat with BT, the actor and his 'Half Girlfriend' talk about their upcoming film, the beauty of incomplete love stories and the complexities of modern relationships. Excerpts...

The title of your film is rather unconventional. So, what does the term 'half girlfriend' mean?
Arjun: I think Chetan Bhagat (whose book Half Girlfriend the film is based on) has cracked it perfectly. It's a term for relationships that don't culminate in anything definite. Sometimes, we may feel an emotional connect with people who don't end up as our partners. Not always do we give relationships a tag. Half girlfriend is not a frivolous term, it's an emotional one.
Shraddha: Sometimes, adverse situations cut short relationships; hence, the word 'half'.
Arjun: Incomplete relationships are sometimes beautiful. Painful, but bittersweet.

Is it difficult being friends with the person you are madly in love with?
Arjun: It's not easy, but how you deal with it also depends on your age. As we grow older, we don't want to lose those few who we rely upon emotionally. And so, we make peace with the fact that the other person doesn't reciprocate our feelings. In our film, both Madhav and Riya (Arjun and Shraddha's characters) have feelings for each other, but circumstances don't allow them to be together.
Shraddha: Some people can be friends with the object of their affection. It depends on the ability to deal with one's feelings.

Have you ever had a half girlfriend or boyfriend?
Arjun: Yes. And the film will resonate with many because most of us have been in that situation.
Shraddha: The best way to recover from that phase is by crying your heart out, spending time with yourself and turning to people you trust and love. It's alright to brood. You should face the hurt instead of trying to escape it. The more you try to escape heartbreak, the more it will haunt you.
Arjun: Our generation is afraid of dealing with their emotions. It's best to face it and not brush it aside. Or else, it might manifest in other ways. Relationships are complex. Making peace is difficult, but you have to give it an honest try.

Are you very emotional? Do you break down easily?
Arjun: I would love to cry, but it's not easy for me. There have been times when I've cried inside, but had a smile on my face. My sister (Anshula) often tells me that I should just let it out. Maybe it doesn't come naturally to me because from an early age, I've kept my feelings bottled up. Also, I would rather rationalize a situation than get emotional about it.
Shraddha: There are times when I feel the need for a good cry, but I am not able to do so. Crying can be cathartic and refreshing at the same time. I recommend it to everyone.

Why do you think modern relationships are becoming so complex?
Arjun: Relationships have always been complex. It's just that the complexities are more visible today. Earlier, the problems were hidden behind closed doors, but now, they are out in the open. While we have acknowledged the problem, we don't have a solution. There is awareness, but no answer.
Shraddha: Yes, relationships have always been complicated, it's just that the reasons have changed over the years. For example, earlier, some parents would lock up the girl to stop her from meeting her lover. That may not be happening today.
Arjun: I am sure it still does, in some places at least.

Do you think that today, love has changed from being unconditional to convenient?
Arjun: We were talking about it recently, and Mohit (Suri, director) mused that true love does stay. He talked about how, after several upheavals, he had realised that Udita (Goswami, his wife) was the one for him. I don't have a PhD in love, but I agree that the younger generation is a tad impatient and inconsistent when it comes to relationships. Having said that, there are enough examples to prove that there is pure love as well, which helps you sail through trials and tribulations. There are people willing to work things out and not just walk away.
Shraddha: Nowadays, people think a lot about themselves and so, the threshold for tolerance has reduced. Walking away becomes an easier option.
Arjun: Sometimes, realisation that it wasn't love to begin with strikes and you fall out of it. It's human tendency.
Shraddha: The very thought of falling out of love with the person I want to spend my life with frightens me. I have a fairy tale idea of love.

The title of your film suggests, 'friend se zyada, girlfriend se kam...' Do you think women may object to it?
Arjun: No, I am sure that the film will not offend anyone. Even if someone raises an objection, we will respect their opinion.
Shraddha: Chetan wrote it from the girl's perspective. According to the story, Riya asks Madhav to accept her as his half girlfriend.

Talking about women's perspective, Arjun, you have been particularly close to the women in your family. What's your view on feminism?
The most beautiful aspect of our democracy is that everybody is entitled to their opinion, but nobody should enforce their views on others. We should agree to disagree. However, thanks to the social media culture, the paraphernalia surrounding an issue gets so much attention sometimes that the actual point is lost. While giving opinions, one forgets the topic. A point of view should be expressed for the benefit of the society, not to get noticed or be heard because that's how negativity breeds. I am all for equality and I also believe that women are more powerful than men in many ways. They are the nurturers, and they possess the beautiful ability to give while men, unfortunately, are takers by nature. I believe that women should be able to make choices freely and independently, just like men.

Is equality something that we only preach and not practise?
Arjun: It is used selectively. For me, equality is about respecting women, which doesn't happen too often in our country. We have to tackle that first. Can you believe that even today, there are many schools where girls don't have access to toilets? Shouldn't we have co-ed schools in villages too, where girls and boys can study together? We cannot scream about bringing a change without addressing inequality at the grass-roots level.
Shraddha: Disparity is at its worst in remote parts of the country. Forget equality, many a time, women are treated inhumanely. Something needs to be done about that. We need to respect each other irrespective of our gender.

In the film, Riya comes from a dysfunctional family. Arjun, your parents separated when you were really young. Having grown up in a broken family, could you connect with the character more?
Arjun: I have never used that term to describe my life. Yes, life is complicated and mine has been hard, but in a different way. So, I couldn't relate to Riya's dysfunctional family .
Shraddha: Dysfunctionality is not just about a failed marriage or parents getting divorced. It is more about a family that lives in toxicity and lacks communication.

On a lighter note, Arjun mimics a lot of actors. Shraddha, did he mimic your father (Shakti Kapoor) on the sets?
Shraddha: He did, but by accident. Instead of saying 'ouch', he once said 'aaoo' (a la Shakti Kapoor). Arjun, you didn't even realise you did it (laughs).
Arjun: Yes, I stamped on her foot and said, 'Aaoo' (imitates Shakti).

A lot of young actors are quite vocal on social media. Though you both are out there, we don't see you doling out advice/opinion...
Arjun: I don't always check my social media accounts, especially when I am shooting. I don't ponder over each and everything happening on social media. Also, I don't always feel the need to share my opinion with the world because it can be misinterpreted. Social media can destroy your thought process if you give it too much importance. You need to know when to walk away. If my opinion on social media could change the system, I would have put in way more effort, but it is bound to get lost amidst so many opinions.
Shraddha: I only use it when I feel like. I am not too attached to social media.