The on-screen daring jodi of Arjun Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra’s was declared super hit after the success of romantic-thriller Ishaqzaade in 2012. After seven years, the duo is back to woo their audience with director Vipul Amrutlal Shah’s Namastey England.The sequel to Vipul’s 2007-hit Namastey London, starring Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif, released on October 19.
Arjun says, “This film continues from where the first one ended. I said yes to it because I felt that the story was fascinating. Namastey London ended with marriage and this one begins with love and marriage. It is a modern romantic comedy, in which there is no happily ever after. It’s about the ups and downs, the conflicts and disagreements that begin post marriage. It is about how opposites attract, but then they are not happy.”
Parineeti, who is excited about the 10th film of her career, says she loved the story the moment she heard the script. “I related to my character because I have seen girls in Punjabi households suffer. I have seen girls living under patriarchal nonsense for no reason. But Arjun’s character Param is a Punjabi village guy, who gives Jasmeet the freedom to do something for herself. He is the one open-mined person in that weird patriarchal society.”
However, she says unlike her role she is from a very progressive family. Her parents have always been very liberal. “I have studied abroad, but they gave us an upbringing of small town. By the time I was 12, I had seen the world. I belong to a small town like Ambala but the small-town effect didn’t come in the family because my parents were cool. They wanted us to be what we are today because they knew that when we grow up and travel abroad we should not face the culture shock,” she adds.
Though both the actors went on to do different roles after starting their career, they say their relationship has grown by leaps and bounds since their first film. They understand each other better now and love doing films together. “It is the trust in each other that helps us perform better, and the friendship that keeps us going,” says Arjun, who was last seen in comedy film Mubarakan.
The two started their careers almost around the same time. Arjun says when Parineeti came in the industry she was very naive. “She didn’t know the industry well, but today she has a sense of belonging and is more comfortable and sorted. Films are her life now. What I love about Parineeti is that she never tries to imitate anyone. She has certain freshness in her approach.”
On the other hand, Parineeti, who was last seen in Golmaal Again, says she knows Arjun from the day he gave his first shot.“He has become a star in front of me and that is why I feel protective about him. When he arrived on the sets on the first day, he was a quiet boy who just sat in the corner and didn’t interact much. Of course I don’t praise him on his face, but I have pure and strong feelings towards him. I feel so good when girls come to him for pictures and autographs,” she says.It’s their first film with Vipul, and they enjoyed the experience.
Parineeti says, “It was lovely working with Vipulji. He reminded me of Rohit Shetty. Both Rohit sir and Vipul sir understand the pulse of India, especially middle-class India. They make films for the masses and you get to learn so much from them. He is cool and fun loving. Even when I did Golmaal 4 with Rohit sir, people appreciated my character. I am sure this film will give me the same appreciation once again.”
Arjun says Vipul is a genuine person. “I enjoyed working with him. We had interacted a couple of times before, but didn’t get a chance to work together. He understands Punjabi culture. He’s a gentle soul and he treated us as kids. It was fun,” he adds.
Both of them will be seen together in Dibakar Bannerjee’s Sandeep aur Pinky Faraar next year. While Arjun has Ashutosh Gowarikar’s Panipat in his kitty, Parineeti is busy shooting for Kesari opposite Akshay Kumar and Jabariya Jodi with Siddharth Malhotra.