Interest in Rampal renews with Raajneeti

“They are calling me by my character’s name,Prithvibhai. When the people start referring to you by your character’s name and have caught the nuances that means you have left a mark,” says a rather pleased Arjun as he relaxes in his capricious 20th floor Bandra home. But he is quick to point out that he hardly thought how the audience would react to his character of Prithvi,a power-hungry,violent and aspiring politician with grey shades,while shooting for the film.

“I was completely focussed on portraying the entire gamut of emotions of this complex character and lost all sense of objectivity. It was only when the audience saw and reacted that I realised the impact,” says the actor who also celebrated the success of Housefull recently.

In fact,the positive reaction to the film and the characters has surprised the movie’s cast. No one expected Raajneeti,a political gritty drama to do such fantastic business countries like the US,UK and South Africa.

“The best thing is that the film’s success will be an impetus to all filmmakers to make more experimental movies,” says Arjun.

Besides the script which was influenced by Mahabharata and The Godfather,audience and critics alike have also commented on the astounding chemistry between the film’s ensemble cast that comprises actors like Nana Patekar and Manoj Bajpayee on one hand and stars like Ranbir Kapoor,Katrina Kaif and Arjun Rampal on the other.

“That’s all thanks to Prakash Jha,” says Arjun. “Before we set off for work,the first thing he did was to make us all sit together for meals. People put down their defenses at the dinner-table and are generally at ease,sparking off instant bonding. But a lot more went into my bonding with Ranbir. For a few days both of us sat down together and shared our secrets. This chemistry we built over those few days is evident in the film in the way we hug and stand up for each other,” he smiles.

Quiz him if he ever felt insecure while sharing the screen with so many actors and he says,“A good actor is very generous and he doesn’t get insecure. There are things like getting the nuances of the character right,and if he is worried about getting overshadowed then he should not be acting in the first place. In Raajneeti,everyone was contributing in his own way and encouraging one another. It was a similar case in Rock On!! where the way Shahana Goswami did her scenes was an impetus for me to give my best. It’s when the actors bond in the film that the audience comes out feeling everyone is comfortable.”

Apart from his performance,Arjun is also setting hearts aflutter for his unconventional look in the political drama. Does he ever feel that his performances might get overshadowed by his good looks? “Yes I won’t deny that and I remember Brad Pitt saying the same thing. But that is the audience’s perception and not the director’s or mine,” he replies with a lazy grin.

The star is also upbeat about acting in a variety of films like Rock On!!,Housefull,Raajneeti and forthcoming movies like the remake of Stepmom,Ra.One and Don 2,that allow him to be versatile. He remembers the time when he was offered the role of a villain in Om Shanti Om and felt cowed down by going against the norm. “My first reaction was ‘I can’t do this’. I think when you have fear it’s actually a challenge. And when work like this happens it’s very exciting.

“After Raajneeti,I will be seen in the remake of Stepmom which is an extremely sensitive film that will touch hearts and compel the audience to take out their tissues. People will love their mothers all the more after watching the film based on Stepmom. Then there’s Ra.One,which will take me into another space altogether. Technically it will be like pushing the envelope.”

Content he may be,but does he wish to do a solo- new film? “See,the hero angle is gone. When it comes to films we just want to act. Of course,if I get a solo-hero film,I would do it. For instance,I’m the only guy in the remake of Stepmom. But at the end of the day it’s a film in totality that matters.”

Now that his career is at an all-time high,one wonders if Arjun is planning to produce any more films after I See You under his production house. “Yes,I am. At present,the film’s scripting is going on and hopefully I shall start the movie in December. I shall be roping in a seasoned director,” he adds.

After winning both accolades and awards alike for his performances,it’s hard to resist asking Arjun the typical question meant for all models-turned-actors. Has the supermodel-turned-actor put the myth ‘that models cannot act’ to rest? And he quips,“I proved that long back …with Om Shanti Om.”