Arjun Rampal has a packed schedule ahead with Aankhen 2, Rock On!! 2 and Kahaani 2. In an exclusive conversation with SpotboyE.com, the actor opened up about his upcoming films, his mother’s battle against breast cancer and what marriage means to him. Excerpts...
First of all congratulations, you recently scaled the Siachen glacier. How was this entire journey and experience?
Oh, it was amazing, I mean I didn’t expect, you know you don’t have expectations when you go on to something like that. It was very difficult, but you feel really empowered when you come back from climbing and you do all of that, and you feel so small, you are humbled, you clear your mind and you are just with nature and just to see what our Army is doing out there. It’s just incredible because you have Pakistan on the other side and you have this huge 72 kg glacier -- the conditions that the Army lives in is very challenging. We all should be grateful to them that we have this beautiful piece of nature, which is part of our country.
Talking about Aankhen (2002), which was a superhit back then, what was your reaction when you were asked to be a part of its sequel?
I knew that they were thinking a lot about making the sequel, but didn’t have a script which would match up to the original. It has taken Gaurang (Doshi, producer) a long time to actually put it together. Anees (Bazmee, director) and Gaurang came and narrated the script to me. I was very happy, because it’s got everything in it. It makes the franchise much bigger and has got many talented people collaborating. It’s still work in progress, but yeah, I am very happy to be a part of it.
It is your fifth film with Mr Amitabh Bachchan. How does it feel reuniting with him?
I always think that I am extremely lucky. He’s almost like a mentor. He’s a class apart from all the actors I have worked with. There’s a lot to learn from him and just being around him is extremely motivating for any actor. So, I am very fortunate. (smiles)
First of all congratulations, you recently scaled the Siachen glacier. How was this entire journey and experience?
Oh, it was amazing, I mean I didn’t expect, you know you don’t have expectations when you go on to something like that. It was very difficult, but you feel really empowered when you come back from climbing and you do all of that, and you feel so small, you are humbled, you clear your mind and you are just with nature and just to see what our Army is doing out there. It’s just incredible because you have Pakistan on the other side and you have this huge 72 kg glacier -- the conditions that the Army lives in is very challenging. We all should be grateful to them that we have this beautiful piece of nature, which is part of our country.
Talking about Aankhen (2002), which was a superhit back then, what was your reaction when you were asked to be a part of its sequel?
I knew that they were thinking a lot about making the sequel, but didn’t have a script which would match up to the original. It has taken Gaurang (Doshi, producer) a long time to actually put it together. Anees (Bazmee, director) and Gaurang came and narrated the script to me. I was very happy, because it’s got everything in it. It makes the franchise much bigger and has got many talented people collaborating. It’s still work in progress, but yeah, I am very happy to be a part of it.
It is your fifth film with Mr Amitabh Bachchan. How does it feel reuniting with him?
I always think that I am extremely lucky. He’s almost like a mentor. He’s a class apart from all the actors I have worked with. There’s a lot to learn from him and just being around him is extremely motivating for any actor. So, I am very fortunate. (smiles)
Image Source: fantastikindia
Will we see the same Arjun in the sequel?
Only 2 actors have been retained from the earlier film -- Mr Bachchan and me. And, we play the same characters.
A Casino forms the background of the story. D do you think it is inspired by Ocean's Eleven (2001 Hollywood film)?
We play visually challenged characters, unlike those in Ocean’s Eleven.
So, when and where will you start shooting for the film?
As of now, the plan is to shoot in England and South Africa.
Let’s now talk about Rock On!! 2. What is your role in it and how is it different from the original (2008)?
Again, we didn’t have the right script. We always knew we’re going to do a sequel of Rock On!!, but it was just that the script was not up to the mark. Every year, we thought we’ll start it next year and worked on the script, but didn’t happen --- this continued for 8 years. But I think that the memory of Rock On!! is very much alive in a lot of people. The music has been kept alive by Farhan, who’s done a lot of concerts. Anyway, in Rock On!! 2, you catch all those characters 8 years later. With time, we all change -- the way we look, the way we behave, our experiences change us and that’s what the film is all about. You find them 8 years later, where they are, how much they’ve achieved, what they’ve lost, all of that.
How do you deal with failures in your career?
Well, it’s very disappointing. Nobody wants to make a bad film. If a film is not accepted by the audiences, you just have to accept that you did something wrong.
There’s no point in blaming anybody or looking at it from a negative point of view, you should take the positive out of it. That’s why it’s important to do for me to do less, but quality work.
Only 2 actors have been retained from the earlier film -- Mr Bachchan and me. And, we play the same characters.
A Casino forms the background of the story. D do you think it is inspired by Ocean's Eleven (2001 Hollywood film)?
We play visually challenged characters, unlike those in Ocean’s Eleven.
So, when and where will you start shooting for the film?
As of now, the plan is to shoot in England and South Africa.
Let’s now talk about Rock On!! 2. What is your role in it and how is it different from the original (2008)?
Again, we didn’t have the right script. We always knew we’re going to do a sequel of Rock On!!, but it was just that the script was not up to the mark. Every year, we thought we’ll start it next year and worked on the script, but didn’t happen --- this continued for 8 years. But I think that the memory of Rock On!! is very much alive in a lot of people. The music has been kept alive by Farhan, who’s done a lot of concerts. Anyway, in Rock On!! 2, you catch all those characters 8 years later. With time, we all change -- the way we look, the way we behave, our experiences change us and that’s what the film is all about. You find them 8 years later, where they are, how much they’ve achieved, what they’ve lost, all of that.
How do you deal with failures in your career?
Well, it’s very disappointing. Nobody wants to make a bad film. If a film is not accepted by the audiences, you just have to accept that you did something wrong.
There’s no point in blaming anybody or looking at it from a negative point of view, you should take the positive out of it. That’s why it’s important to do for me to do less, but quality work.
Image Source: Manav Manglani
Any regrets, any mistakes?
I have made many mistakes, but I don’t have any regrets.
It is great to see that your Mom is doing better now. I’m sure it was a very difficult situation for you to deal with...
That’s a very personal question. This is something me and my family have to deal with and more so my mom, who is an extremely brave woman. There is a lot that I got to learn about Breast Cancer – how not equipped we are as a nation to deal with it, how the treatment is so expensive. God has been kind to me -- my mom can afford the treatment, but what about those who don’t have enough money? They must be shattered. That’s one of the reasons I went to Siachen -- to launch a foundation for my mom in her name. It’s called The Gwen Beat Cancer Foundation and it focusses on creating awareness about breast cancer. We’ll also help people who can’t afford the treatment.
We’ll also see you in Kahaani 2 with Vidya Balan. How was it working with her?
Vidya is a fantastic actor and I’ve really wanted to work with her. I really am a big fan of her work and also Sujoy (Ghosh, director). The name is Kahaani 2, but it is not a sequel because all the characters have changed. It’s just a franchise. It was a fantastic experience shooting in Kolkata. We were there for about 50 days.
What is your role in that movie?
I play a cop.
Too much has been written about your personal life. Did it take a toll on you?
No, it should be taking a toll on people writing about it (laughs), because that’s their version of my personal life.
What does marriage mean to you?
Long-term commitment between two people... it’s a lot of work.
No, it should be taking a toll on people writing about it (laughs), because that’s their version of my personal life.
What does marriage mean to you?
Long-term commitment between two people... it’s a lot of work.
Image Source: hdpicswale
Aneez is directing Aankhen 2. Would you have preferred Aankhen director Vipul Shah helming this one as well?
That’s not my choice to make, it’s the producer’s prerogative. I also believe that every film has its own destiny. Aankhen had its destiny with Vipul. He did a tremendous job with it and Aankhen 2 has its destiny with Aneez. It could have had me in it, or not, depending on the producer/director.
Akshay is not a part of this film. Do you think if he had been included, it will get a wider reach?
Akshay is a huge star, he has done fantastically well and I’ve worked with him in 2 films. But then again, that’s not my choice. Also, Akshay’s calendar is almost full. If he had the dates, he would have definitely been a part of our cast as well.
Till date, which has been your best role?
That’s tough to say. I like films that have allowed me to push the envelope. Aankhen was one of them. I was very young when I did it. But again, to play a visually challenged guy and to do it convincingly was tricky at that age. I also liked Raajneeti (2010), which allowed me to push the envelope. Rock On!! and D-Day (2013) are also very special.