Arjun Rampal is scheduled to co-star alongside Diljit Dosanjh in Punjab 95 and Aparna Sen’s The Rapist. He discussed his next projects and his thoughts on the state of the box office in an interview with us.
Some films, such as The Rapist, starring Konkana Sen Sharma and directed by Aparna Sen and produced by Sameer Nair’s Applause (Entertainment), and Punjab 95, starring Diljit and directed by Honey Trehan and produced by Ronnie Screwvala’s RSVP, are fully prepared for distribution. This is the one about which I am most enthusiastic. A man’s position in dealing with his wife’s rape is complicated.
The Rapist is an exceptional film. What was it like working with Sameer Nair and Aparna Sen?
One of the few female directors I have collaborated with is Aparna. The other was Honeymoon Travels Pvt.’s Reema Kagti. Ltd. The Rapist explores the trauma of rape in a very compassionate way. Konkona is unique. Bravo to Applause and Sameer Nair for supporting this revolutionary effort.
Aparna thinks you are a gorgeous-looking man
(laughs embarrassingly) Ha ha, she is a beautiful woman. To be honest, though, I do not think appearances are that important. The labor is what matters. I have completed another exceptional film.
Which is?
Sangeeth Sivan is the director of The Blind Game. He was a fantastic director and person, so it is very unfortunate that this will be his final picture. Deepak Mukut is the producer. Next up are Penthouse and Three Monkeys, both directed by Abbas Mustan. Rana Naidu 2 is a Netflix series. I am now filming Dhurandhar. Aditya Dhar’s flick. A wonderful boy with an incredible mind. Yes, I am thrilled about them all.
What do you look for in your scripts at this juncture of your career?
How different will it be from anything I have done before, I suppose? How much it can make me lose myself.
Your daughters are young ladies. Are they readying themselves to follow in daddy’s footsteps?
Without a doubt, my girls are now young women. All I want is for them to pursue their happiness. My older child, Mahikaa, has attended and completed film school. I am all for her training to become an actress. She will be fantastic, in my opinion. Myra is going to London University to study fashion business. As of right now, they have been able to recognize their direction and are really clear. I am fortunate for that. Situations and attitudes are constantly shifting. Thus, we all simply follow the current.
Nothing seem to be working these days. Does that exasperate you?
It is not fair, in my opinion, to argue that nothing is working. Numerous excellent films and television shows have been produced, and up-and-coming artists have established themselves. A movie’s box office success rate has consistently been between 5 and 6 percent. Not much has changed in that regard. Because of social media, people are simply more conscious of the box office these days.
You have been around for a good 25 years. How much has the film industry changed?
Without a doubt, it has become more professional. Crews have higher levels of education. There is a lot more discipline on set. More professional everywhere. less time for genuine bonding than in the past. However, output is far higher. Having close friends in the industry is difficult, but it is not impossible.
