After Two States, Arjun Kapoor is once again seen in Half Girlfriend, which is a screen adaption of Chetan Bhagat’s book. The film is directed by Mohit Suri and stars Shraddha Kapoor; the actor speaks about his film, relationships, his future projects and family.
How did you work on your character?
When I read the script, it seems conventional because of the trapping of the story being in Hindi. But it is not a conventional character because he is not a typical Bollywood hero in his behaviour. He is underconfident. I wanted to play it as real as possible. Circumstances and the choices makes him a hero. I wanted to invest enough time at the place where he hails from, Bihar. I spent time with my diction teacher, friends that I have in fraternity, tried to understand body language, mannerisms. Why people perceive it a certain way, what is the reality and fiction about the region. I think it is important for you to understand that place before you project it on screen. I did not want to make it as caricature I took the onus to see that. Any Bihari should feel proud once they watch my character on screen. Basketball is one of the section in the film but it was necessary as this is what he loves and helps him get the admission in the college, connect to the girl.
How was it working with Mohit Suri?
I have always been an admirer of Mohit. I have seen his work before I became an actor. It is his twelfth film at this age. His command over the craft is amazing. He is like a child, spontenous, emotional, impusive and passionate. His films have passion and emotional connect. He loves his music as it tells us a story. He is the most collaborate director one could have. He would ask me what you think about this scene. He gives you foundation that you are lot more that what you believe in yourself. He doesn’t mind you trying different things. Spending time with the director was also important for me as I have not worked with him.
Was there any theory for not reading the book Half Girlfriend before signing the film?
I had not read Two States when I signed that film. I read the script and said yes to it. My director then told me not to read it because it would have confused me, as he had made changes in it. I respected that. I felt clear enough after reading the script. With Half Girlfriend also I read the script because it was offered to me as a bound script. If there would have been a requirement to read it then Mohit would have asked me to read. It never came up as a conversation that it is necessary for me to read it. You can say it is superstition because I did not read Two States, so I decided not to read this.
What is your take on about the film glorifying stalking?
In our film, he doesn’t stalk her as they are in a relationship. He goes to find her. They become friends and develop a bond but circumstance does not allow it to culminate into something concrete. Cinema is the medium of entertainment first. Education comes from school, upbringing. Behaviour is not defined by the movies which you watch. It shouldn’t be. Our education system should be that strong. Culturally you should not be influenced by movies, if we take that onus upon yourselves then what will education system do? Then they are failing. Fair enough we have influenced because culturally we are influenced by cinema. But nobody points out positive influences, which is sad. We have a lot of positivity which we spread through films. I think glorification is not intentional, in case of Badrinath Ki Dulhania; it could have been an attempt to humour may be, as I have not seen the film. It is a nok-jhok when girl is reciprocating to a guy. When you see a film like Darr, it is shown that the end is not good for you. So the moral of the story is different. It is a broad perspective and spectrum of conversation.