Arjun Kapoor makes his voiceover debut with the popular Hollywood film, Ice Age: Collision Course, for which he has dubbed in Hindi for the character of the endearing weasel, Buck.
What was it like to voice famous animated character Buck’s lines in the latest Ice Age?
It was interesting. It took me a few hours as the rhythm is already set for the character. I had to then add my graph and energy. It was a learning curve for I enjoyed it. I did not bring any baggage, I came with an open mind. The makers decided to make the character tapori, and it worked well. Today, animated films are not restricted to kids anymore; family audience and youngsters too see these sweet fun films.
Did you take any voice modulation lessons?
No ... you don’t learn such things. You discover things on your own on trial and error basis when you record in the studio.
There seems to be a sudden fascination for Hollywood among young actors of today. Earlier, Varun Dhawan too had voiced a character in Captain America.
There is a requirement for Indian actors in the West and they appreciate us too. It’s becoming a cosmopolitan world and there are lot of Asian characters in American films and TV shows. So you keep hearing about possible collaborations. The West is opening up to our part of the world ... it is not just that we are running over there. It’s 50-50. There is a vacuum that is being filled by Indian actors because of their talent ... and it’s a good sign.
I think Slumdog Millionaire was the starting point for them to notice that India has talent and it’s continued with Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone and lot of others. Nimrat Kaur is doing a TV show. It’s not a fascination from our side alone; it’s mutual. There is fascination there for our actors.
Why don’t we see actors like Hrithik Roshan or Ranveer Singh or you going to the West?
I can’t speak on behalf of Hrithik or anybody. Right now I am trying to build my audience here. As an actor you need to be in a secure place. Priyanka and Deepika have achieved a lot in India. They have gone to Hollywood for months and for that you need to be in a good place in your professional life. They are very big achievers. I feel I have to achieve a lot here. It’s also about what you feel like doing. There are people who are happy being in India. Kareena Kapoor Khan has not gone to the West as she doesn’t desire to go to the West.
Do you desire to go international?
I have done seven films and am too new to think of going anywhere else. I have not thought about it yet. But I would never say ‘never’; if something comes up I will consider it.
Your name is being attached to numerous projects of late.
I have been hearing the same too (laughs). But I have just been working on Half Girlfriend with Shraddha Kapoor over the last two months.
Buzz is that you will be teaming with your uncle Anil Kapoor for Mubarakan.
No, I am only doing Half Girlfriend for now.
If you get a chance to work with Anil, would you take it up?
I will have mixed feelings -- I will be happy to work with a person I have grown up with and also be worried that I will be working with someone whom I look up to as an actor.
And apparently you are considering a biopic?
I have not signed anything.