Arjun Kapoor on negotiating hinterland angst with urban funk and how his cousin Harshvardhan has a right to his opinions
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 26, 2016)

Arjun Kapoor has just returned from South Africa where he was filming Half Girlfriend and admits that he's never been so homesick. Over the last three months he's been in and out so often that Mumbai feels like a transit point.Next month he flies off to New York for another shoot. "Half Girlfriend has turned me into a full-time traveller," he puns on his film title.

The actor is not complaining though as this "amazing" job has not only given him a chance to live different lives but also travel to different countrie and imbibe their culture. "But there are moments when I miss my home, family and sister. I even missed Raksha Bandhan this year and I know my sisters will not let me get away with it. I haven't figured out yet how to make it up to them because I've been on a date with my bed for last 24 hours," a jetlegged Arjun yawns.

He applauds South Africa's work-friendly people and picture-perfect locations. "I didn't get time for sight-seeing, we were filming an intense portion and I was completely into the character," says Arjun who's playing Madhav Jha, a small-town Bihari boy who falls in love with a Delhi girl whose world is so far removed from his he can only refer to her as his "half girlfriend".

Arjun insists that the phrase has been treated with appropriate gravitas. "All of us have our chapters of unrequited love...You feel something for someone that you are unable to convey," he asserts, all praise for his "involved, encouraging, open to suggestions" director Mohit Suri who has given him the time and space to develop his character, giving it layers Madhav didn't have in Chetan Bhagat's novel. "I connected with him instantly when I read the book."

The empathetic bond extends to Madhav's struggle to express himself in English. Arjun surprises you by admitting that because of his grandparents and friends, Hindi has been his first language. "Even when I'm acting I think in Hindi.Unfortunately in our country, the general perception is that someone who speaks English is more intelligent," he rues, quick to add that the film is about the language barrier one faces if English is not their first language. He's also brushed up on basketball which he played in school. He trained with NBA coaches for over two months, building up his stamina so he could match up to the energetic 18-year-olds in the film. "We won't let down the sport which has been portrayed in a cool, believable way," he insists, adding that along with Mohit, he's found a friend in co-star Shraddha Kapoor who he has known for years but realised only now after romancing her through a three-year reel life journey just how chilled out, hardworking and professional she is on the sets.

Next up Arjun is looking forward to sharing the screen with uncle Anil Kapoor in Anees Bazmee's comic caper. "Yes, I'm doing Mubaraka. This is the first time I'm saying this formally. I was waiting for the producer to make an announcement, but there have been too many speculations," he shrugs, describing his Anil chachu as an energetic, forever-young actor who's been an inspiration to youngsters, both as a person and an actor.

What can he tell us about his chachu that no one knows? "He never holds a plate but will polish off what's on your plate while chatting with you and then pretend he's not eaten anything the whole day so he feels fit and fine," Arjun laughs Anil's son Harshvardhan, who's gearing up for Bollywood, mentioned that Arjun is more of a mainstream actor, doing the kind of films he'd never be able to carry off. "I have done my share of non-filmi films like Aurangzeb and Finding Fanny. As a viewer I love masala movies and summer blockbusters, but my viewing tastes don't dictate my choices as an actor," Arjun argues, pointing out that he's grown as an actor. "Three years ago, I may not have been excited about a Mubaraka but today I am raring to do a com mercial comedy with the jodi that gave us No Entry and Welcome."

He believes Harsh's choices too will change depending on how he grows as an actor. "For now he should focus on his work and not think too far ahead into the future. Yes, he is inclined towards a certain kind of cinema which I am not. But I'm sure he'll do commercial films too when the time comes. I'll continue doing a variety of roles regardless," he avers.

What are Harsh's strengths? Arjun points out that like him he is passionate about acting and cinema."He has a mind of his own and opinion too which is good. He has all these qualities, hope this translates on screen as well," he signs off.

Anees Bazmee's family-comedy creates friction between chacha-bhatija which spills out during a destination wedding in Europe
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 13, 2016)

Why Sonakshi Sinha turned down her reunion project with former beau, Arjun Kapoor
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; August 10, 2016)

After evincing interest in Anees Bazmee’s Mubaraka starring Anil Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha has decided to let go of the project over the length of her role.

As reported, ‘Making an ex-ception’ (hitlist, August 3), the makers had pencilled in on the actress as they felt she fit the bill. Her casting with Arjun created buzz due to their romantic history — the two started dating while shooting for Tevar (2014), but parted ways soon after the film released.

Says a source, “After a script narration session, Sonakshi expressed interest in the project. However, later, she did a rethink because the role wasn’t as meaty as she would have liked it to be.” Adds the source, “She will next be seen in an action-packed, woman-oriented film, Akira, and so, she is not willing to take a step back and settle for smaller roles. She wants to remould herself and set the bar high by taking up roles that challenge her.”

Anil and Arjun will play their real-life relationship of chacha-bhatija in Mubaraka. Sonakshi remained unavailable for comment.

Ileana D'Cruz on her Australian beau and why she's only been seen in four Hindi movies
Sanykta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 4, 2016)

Ileana D'Cruz was 10 when her family relocated to Goa from Mumbai. Six years later, her portfolio landed on model-entrepreneur Marc Robinson's desk, thanks to her mother. A year later, she had featured in an ad directed by Rakesh Roshan and bagged her first film, the 2006 Telugu drama, Devadasu, and acquired an instant fan following down South.

Six years later, she made a successful Bollywood debut in Anurag Basu's Ranbir Kapoor-Priyanka Chopra-starrer Barfi! in 2012, and while she gained more fans and accolades for her turn, she has only been seen in three Hindi films — Phata Poster Nikhla Hero, Main Tera Hero and Happy Ending — since. "I was 18 when I started acting and hated it. It was a chore and I did it only for the money. My family needed me to act and the films coming my way from the South were huge," she admits, but is quick to add that today, she is passionate about acting. Having grown immensely as a person, she has realised that she has a certain responsibility towards her craft.

The 28-year-old actress will be seen next in Akshay Kumar's upcoming Independence Day release, Rustom, and reveals that playing Cynthia Pavri was challenging as the role needed a certain maturity, experience and subtlety. "It was surreal!" she exclaims, acknowledging that she's extremely selective about her roles now, her intention being shuttling between Bollywood and South productions. "I wish I was doing five films a year but I'd rather do a handful that meet the audience's expectations than do a bunch I'll eventually regret."

Turns out Rustom was the easiest career move. As soon as she heard the script, she decided she wanted to sign the film irrespective of what she was paid. Shooting in London was an eyeopener. She'd imagined the Brits to be outlandish but was surprised by their warmth. And prankster Akshay Kumar was fun to be around with his straightfaced humour.

This is the fourth time Ileana's sharing screen time with another leading lady after Barfi! (Priyanka Chopra), Happy Ending (Kalki Koechlin) and Main Tera Hero (Nargis Fakhri). In Rustom, she's up against Esha Gupta who plays a feisty lawyer. But defying cat-fights and rivalry, she's been promoting her costar's solo-teasers and posters on the social media. "I'd be blatantly lying if I said I've never been jealous. When I'd just started out, an actress arrived on the sets of a film I was doing to shoot for a song. I remember thinking how beautifully she danced and feeling envious. I got over it but competition exists because there are people who are great at what they do and I want to be great too," she explains.

She promises that 2017 is going to be all work with Milan Luthria slice-of-life directorial, Baadshaho, besides two other Bollywood films. Buzz is, she'll feature opposite Arjun Kapoor in Anees Bazmee's chacha-bhatija drama, Mubaraka, which also features his real-life uncle, Anil Kapoor. "There's no truth to this," she clarifies.

Her love life is just as action-packed. She met Australian photographer-actor, Andrew Kneebone, while filming Happy Ending. The two have been in a relationship for the last two-and-a-half years, with Ileana bringing in Christmas and New Year's Eve in Melbourne and Andrew flying out to wherever she's shooting. Will we hear wedding bells soon? "I'm too busy to get married. When the time is right, everything will fall into place. People think I am a Barbie doll, living a fairy tale, but I am a real person, with real problems," she signs off.

Gaurav Dubey (MID-DAY; August 3, 2016)

Since their split early last year, Sonakshi Sinha and Arjun Kapoor have shared icy-cold vibes. But, now it looks like they are ready to move on — at least for professional reasons. Sources close to Anees Bazmee’s next directorial venture, Mubaraka, reveal that the actress was recently approached to play Arjun’s love interest and she has shown interest in the project that also features Anil Kapoor.

Earlier, there was speculation about Parineeti Chopra playing protagonist, but she dismissed the rumours.
Says a source, “The makers were keen to cast a feisty actress and had a couple of names in mind. However, Sonakshi was on top of their list and they decided to get in touch with her. Bazmee met her last week for a script narration and she evinced interest.” Initially, the film was supposed to be helmed by Milap Zaveri with Abhishek Bachchan in the lead, but both the director and actor were replaced and the script was reworked. Anil and Arjun will portray their real-life relationship of chacha-bhatija for the first time. Incidentally, Sonakshi shares a warm rapport with the veteran star despite her romacntic past. It was during the shoot for Arjun’s home production, Tevar (2015), that the two grew close and started dating. They parted ways after the film released.

The source adds, “Although Sonakshi is yet to confirm her presence in Mubaraka, the makers are optimistic that she will say, yes.” Bazmee and Sonakshi remained unavailable for comment.

The film is scheduled to go on floors by October and hit screens next year.

For the first time in his three-decade long career, Kapoor plays a Sikh character in a full fledged role, in his next
Subhash K Jha (DNA; July 29, 2016)


In the forthcoming Mubarakan, Anil plays a turbaned Sikh for the first time. Says the excited actor, “It would be an honour to play a Sardar. I have a fabulous role in Mubaraka. I go into this film right after I complete the shooting of my television serial 24. It would be the ideal stress-buster after the intense action and drama in 24.”

Anil has great regards for director Anees Bazmee. “He has made some of the biggest hits in the comedy genre without resorting to vulgar double entendre. Mubaraka, too, is completely free of any crudity, and that’s what I love about it. It is one of the most brilliant scripts I’ve come across in the comic genre.”

Significantly, this time, writer-director Bazmee won’t be directing his own script. Says Anil, “This is a rare occasion when Anees is not directing his own script. It’s also the first time I am acting with my nephew, Arjun Kapoor.”

Upala KBR (DNA; June 25, 2016)


Says an insider, “Arjun’s leading lady for Mubaraka has not been cast yet. Director Anees Bazmee has given Pari a narration and she has given the nod.” Pari has been saying that she wants to do a funny film and no one does funny better than Bazmee.”

From what we hear, final modalities are being worked on. Things are likely to get sealed once Pari, who is currently in Spain, returns. The duo have an amazing chemistry and are looking forward to working together again.

The two team up for the first time for Anees Bazmee's upcoming family comedy
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 14, 2016) 

One of the most eligible bachelors in Bollywood, Arjun Kapoor, currently has not one but two gorgeous leading ladies trying to convince him they are his Mrs Right. Eager to be his life partner, they have already popped the question on bended knees and the Ishaqzaade actor is debating on whom to give his heart to and whose heart to break. Confused, he has turned to none other than his uncle, Anil Kapoor, for some love guru advice.

Hang on, before your imagination can take flight, let's make it clear that the 30-year-old actor is still very much single and not in a hurry to tie the knot. This is just the story of the family comedy-romance he has given his nod to, last month. Anees Bazmee's Mubaraka, produced by Sony Pictures, will see the real life chacha-bhatija teaming up for the first time and enjoying the same relationship on screen too.

Anil and Anees have earlier teamed up for two blockbuster franchises, No Entry and Welcome, and Arjun is super-excited to have signed his first "full-fledged commercial film" which flags off later this year and will be shot entirely abroad. Presently, the hunt is on for two leading ladies.

"It's like The Big Fat Greek Wedding-meets-No Entry. There will be plenty of chaos," promises a source close to the film.

His last release, Ki And Ka, had him playing the house-husband to corporate honcho, Kareena Kapoor. While he was eager to get married to Bebo in the Balki-directorial, this time, he'll be running away from all the band, baaja and baraat.

Arjun is presently filming Mohit Suri's Half Girlfriend, an adaptation of the Chetan Bhagat best-seller by the same name, with Shraddha Kapoor in Delhi. The actor has trained rigorously in basketball for the part, and has been managing to play like a pro, more recently. The next schedule of the film will be in New York. Once he wraps up this film, he will start prepping up for Mubaraka. And, we can't wait!