EXCLUSIVE: Arjun Kapoor on criticism he faces for work and his personal space being spoken about

Arjun Kapoor is undoubtedly one actor who is articulate and doesn’t mince his words. He takes criticism in stride and is always ready to take on new challenges. Be it his personal life or professional, Arjun Kapoor does manage to be in news always. His latest film Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar has been released in theatres and has been receiving rave reviews. The film was helmed by ace filmmaker Dibakar Banerjee and stars Parineeti Chopra in the lead role. In a candid chat, when asked Arjun about the criticism he faces and if he feels most of it is uncalled for too, the actor said that he has learned to take it in stride and pay heed to only ‘constructive criticism. He also spoke about what drives him to take different roles despite being criticised for his acting chops, many-a-times.

What drives him to take chances? “I think it comes from the fact that people believe that I can’t do something and then I believe I can. Plus, I like to do something different. I like to challenge and excite myself because as an actor, I know I have a lot of untapped capabilities so I like to work with people who can tap on the new side to me,” Arjun Kapoor told Bubble. He added, “Also, I see films as an audience, and if I think ‘this is the film I would like to see’ and I just jump at it and do it. A bit of impulse, a bit of practicality, excitement, sometimes the director, sometimes the material of the character, so all in all I have always been somebody who likes to dabble in different ships. I have never been somebody who wanted to be typecast.”

About facing criticism head-on, Arjun Kapoor shared, “I am very practical about it. When somebody is being criticised for something which is far more personal and is vindictive and there is certain angst that people feel for the baggage that I carry according to them, I cannot be responsible for that, and I cannot change that. For example, I cannot change whose son I am or the person I am. I cannot be apologetic about it, I accept it. I work very hard, keep my head down. I have always acknowledged that I am privileged but I have never misused it, I have never undermined someone else’s position. So, in those cases, you realise that some of the negativity is unfortunate and it is so extreme.” He, however, went on to explain, “At the same time, if someone talks about my work in a film after they have seen it and paid money for it, I have to hold it in high regard because they are my audience. I am working for them.”

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He further continued, “Social media can sometimes be a bit trivial and a bit frivolous because people enjoy writing something. Like it is said in Hindi ‘Kuch Toh Log Kahenge, logon ka kaam hai kehna‘ in social media, has made that come alive. Most of them who write are teenagers and write things for fun. They follow you and are your fans. Today, I am sure a lot of them who have written snide remarks about you or your personal life, eventually end up meeting you and take a selfie. They are young immature people and I guess, I am not the first and not the last to face this. I have seen this happen to far more successful people than me and far more entertaining people than me. I have never changed the way I live because of it, my work appreciated or not appreciated critically makes me think.”

Arjun Kapoor added that while he is okay with the criticism about his work, he doesn’t pay heed to his personal space being criticised. “My personal space being criticised or being spoken about doesn’t bother me because I am quite thick-skinned about it. I have realised that I have achieved so much in 10 years that this is a small price to pay for that. I have realised how a person reacts speaks more about them than about you.”

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Before leaving, he told us that he will soon begin shooting for Ek Villain 2.

Also read: EXCLUSIVE: Arjun Kapoor on Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar, being emotionally consuming, reuniting with Parineeti

Bhavna Agarwal

Assistant Editor at Bollywood Bubble. An ambivert who is currently high on K-dramas and K-Pop. A forever Bollywood fan, who continues to gush over solid stories and characters. Hit me up for a fine conversation over chai.

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