EXCLUSIVE | Arjun Kapoor: 'We only call action films as mass cinema, but movies like Raajneeti and 2 States…'

Arjun Kapoor had a sensational debut in the form of Ishaqzaade in 2012. The character he played was rustic, loutish, and highly unlikeable, which worked in the favour of the actor. He has made some interesting career choices post the release of that film. He did the very underrated Aurangzeb, he then did 2 States, Gunday, and Finding Fanny in the same year. He rightfully basked in the accolades that came his way for Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar. He went through a low and resurrected with Singham Again last year.

He now has Mere Husband Ki Biwi coming up which marks his return to the genre of comedy and romance. In an exclusive interview with Firstpost, the actor spoke about preparing for the role he has essayed, the response to the world of self awareness the makers have created, and the skewed perception of the term ‘mass cinema’ that has plagued the industry ever since the pandemic has ended.

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Edited excerpts from the interview

Is this one character you would never want to relate to?

To be honest, I would not want to be in the situation he’s in but I relate to the person he’s. I liked the character I’m playing and that’s why I played it. I relate to him in some degree but I don’t want to be in his position.

How would you describe your chemistry with Harsh in the film?

He’s very good in the film. It’s not easy being a stand-up comedian and do things not for the character. Muddassar Aziz has used him really well, inspired him. I think he has learned in the sets. He often used to ask why they were talking his close-ups so we used to tell him ‘Yeh close up shot hai, yeh wide hai.’ Till date he doesn’t know what a close-up shot is (Laughs).

When the idea is to have fun and to do comedy, what does the prep look like?

The fun that you need to have is that you need to submit to the world of the director. You need to play off each other’s energy. You need to be able to trust the director that he will control you when you are going out of the character, when you need to improvise, he will allow you to do that. Comedy is a playground where you need to trust one another. If there’s any energy that’s trying to outdo you, that’s not a good energy because the film should be at the forefront. Muddassar is a strong captain who provided us with a great foundation. He put unique actors like Harsh, Shakti Kapoor, Tiku Talsania, so it was a new energy and we played of each other. In terms of prep, the only thing we did was a table read, which helped us understand what the story is and what’s happening in the scenes.

The one term people have been using to describe the trailer is self-aware. You all are literally taking jokes on yourselves. Talk about the idea of doing this.

You have to take your profession seriously but you cannot take yourself so seriously. You have to accept what people are talking about you. You can’t be delusional and think everybody loves you. The idea was to make sure that people are going to connect with us with the first three jokes in the trailer. It is important not to get caught up in what people think, but also not be blinded by your delusion and not understanding what other people are saying about you. That line is very thin and if you are able to balance it the way Muddassar has, it has come across as self-aware and endearing. It has been done in a pleasing manner rather than crass and below the belt.

Ever since the pandemic has ended, people have been saying that they want to watch mass cinema; but why do we need to restrict the term mass to action? There could be a mass comedy, a mass romance, a mass horror. How would you define the term mass?

I think the term mass is misconstrued. There was a time when mass was looked as something for a certain income or strata. Mass is when you can have more people enjoying it. Mass is always looked as brainless or just action or just downgraded. In our community, the misconception got created and our audiences also started treating mass cinema a certain way. Mass cinema is more people you appeal to, so you’re very right about it sirf action films hi mass nahin hoti. Comedies can also be mass cinema and usme family bhi mass hai. It doesn’t only mean a single man going to the cinemas to watch films with adrenaline.

An auto rickshaw driver taking his family to watch a film on a Sunday is also a mass way of watching a film. Every genre needs to be redefined in a way because we only call action films as mass. There are mass comedies and mass dramas like Raajneeti. 2 states is mass. Mass is just a way of simplifying the conversation but we need to make more films that are watched by a community. You should be able to emote with the emotion, it’s a little contrived that only action films are mass. That’s how most of the people say certain things, like they say ‘content cinema’, but there’s content in every film, good or bad. So mass is also misused sometimes, but I agree with you that all genres have true ability to connect with the masses, it’s how you make the film.