Pinkvilla Exclusive : In every film, a heroine supports a hero, why can’t I do that for a heroine - Arjun Rampal

Arjun Rampal, the dashing supermodel-actor- entrepreneur who will be seen romancing Kareena Kapoor in Madhur Bhandar’s most awaited Heroine says he is not insecure about working in a female oriented film. The actor also talks about his current equation with Shah Rukh Khan and the woman he shares best chemistry with.

There were rumours that you weren’t very happy with your role in Heroine?

I keep hearing about such stories too. I was holidaying in Bali when some journalist sent me a text and asked me the same. If I was really upset I would have conveyed it to the director, Madhur Bhandarkar or the producers, UTV. I would have rectified it. If I hadn’t liked the script I wouldn’t have signed the film in the first place.

What prompted you to take up the film?

When I sign a film I also look at it in totality. I try and understand what impact it will have on the audience and what will they take away from it. It’s a beautiful love story and journey of an actress. It talks about the insecurity of a heroine and why she does certain things. It’s portrayed very beautifully in the film.

Were there any apprehensions about doing a female oriented film?

Since the title of the film is Heroine, people think it will be a heroine oriented subject and the guy will have nothing to do in it. But that’s not the case. I play a superstar in the film and there are many layers to my character. Every role in a Madhur Bhandarkar film is well etched, regardless of its screen time.

So it doesn’t make you insecure if the actress has a better and bigger role than you…

No. Also, If I don’t support such films they won’t get made and they won’t find the right budget. So you should not always think of yourself but look at the broader picture. In every film, a heroine supports a hero, why can’t I do that for a heroine. Eventually, it is Kareena’s film.

How true is the image of a male superstar portrayed in the film?

When Madhur makes a film he asks all the questions in the film that people want to know. There is a perception that people have in mind of someone and Madhur brings that to the front. He shows you the human side of such people. Even for my character you will sometimes feel he is very bad and then at other times you will feel he is not. You would feel the same for Kareena’s character. Both the characters are layered.

Did Madhur ask you to study any real character for this role?

No. An actor always takes from his memory and his observation. When I meet people there are certain parts I take from someone and imbibe in my role. It’s a mix of a lot of people from the industry.

Can we know the names, please?

Well, you will find out once the film releases (winks).

You have worked in big banner films with Karan Johar and Shah Rukh Khan. How is the experience of working with a director like Sudhir Mishra different?

Every movie is a different experience. I look forward to playing characters that are different to play and not boring. Sudhir is a wonderful director. In Inkaar I really loved performing in the film. It is one of my best performances. I really feel that I got into the character a lot more because there was a lot of scope for me to do I look at myself and wonder if that’s me. It’s fun to do those layered kinds of characters. Even Prakash Jha’s film is very interesting. He pushes me to do something different. My role in Madhur’s film is not that challenging. A film like Ra.One is not easy as well. You have to change your look and body.

Rock On, Don, Rajneeti to Ra.One…you are one of the few model-turned-actors who have done such a wide range of roles.

They just don't make more like me anymore. (Laughs)

Critics panned you a lot initially… Has that changed?

I hope they find new adjectives to describe me in future. Maybe call me marble and not stone (chuckles).

Having won the National award for Rock On, what more do you look forward to?

I look forward to a lot of interesting roles and films, when I make the movie I am curious to know how the people I love accept it. The most importantly how the audience reacts and how far the film reaches out to. How many people and lives it touches.

Your first home production failed at the box office. Do you want to produce more films?

Why not! I am definitely going to produce more films. I am going to be in this industry for a long time. There are lots of interesting ideas. I spend a lot of time trying to figure out good stories to tell.

There is a buzz about your fallout with Shah Rukh Khan.Is it true?

Not at all. I hear these rumors but it’s stupid. I don’t get into such things.

So, all is well between both of you?

Yes of course. I have not met him in a while because I was in Bali and he was in London.

Your lounge bar is doing very well. How do manage movies and the bar?

I have good teams in place. I create a vision and tell them this is my dream and this is where we should go and they execute it. I believe business is not about numbers. It’s a creative job as well.

Reportedly, you have sizzling lovemaking scenes with Kareena and Chitrangada in your forthcoming films. Does your wife Mehr get insecure?

I have never done it with them, the way I have done it with my wife. So she doesn’t need to feel insecure (Laughs).

Recently, Oprah Winfrey made a remark about Indians eating with their hands. Do you see it as just an observation or derogatory remark?

We all eat food with our mouth.It’s a known fact. It’s just that we all have a different ways of eating. While some use spoons, folks or chopsticks, we Indians use our hands. These are just different ways of eating food. I don’t see anything wrong in that.

Indians have got offended by Oprah’s remark.

Why. As long as you are washing your hands and eating the food, it’s good

- Mauli Singh for www.pinkvilla.com