He’s on cloud nine. Arjun Kapoor has just notched up his first Rs 100-crore hit with 2 States, the Abhishek Varman film co-starring Alia Bhatt that brings Chetan Bhagat’s eponymous novel to the big screen. t2 caught up with Arjun for a quick chat…

2 States is now a part of the Rs 100-crore club. Congratulations!

Thank you! It’s a massively good feeling to be part of a film that has not only done well at the box office but has also been unanimously loved by the audience. The beauty of it is that 2 States has surpassed all expectations we had from it and has done the kind of business that you’d expect of a film with a much bigger budget. Alia, Abhishek and I knew that we had a good film in hand, but ultimately it’s the audience that decides how good or bad your film is. More than anything else, the success of 2 States is a kind of validation of the belief I had in the film and myself. The audience have validated the fact that they like my work and it excites me today to know that no matter what genre I am attempting or what film I am doing, there is an excitement in the audience to watch me on screen. And yes, for sure, it feels special to have a (Rs) 100-crore film.

Has any of the feedback stood out as special?

People have actually come forward and thanked us for making this book come alive on screen. They’ve connected emotionally to the film… many young couples have connected with its essence and ethos… parental opposition, cultural differences and just the single-minded drive to make the relationship work, no matter what problems the world throws at it. The audience has just emotionally attached itself to all these characters, because they are so identifiable, whether it is Krish (Arjun’s character), Ananya (Alia), the mothers (played by Amrita Singh and Revathy) or Krish’s fractured relationship with his father (Ronit Roy).

It’s very difficult to pinpoint any one special compliment but people have really liked this young man’s resolve to never give up on the girl that he loves. And that’s something that has also stood out for me… I am the kind of person who will go to the end of the world and even beyond for the woman I love (smiles).

Have the nature and scale of the offers changed after the success of 2 States?

To be honest, I have always been very fortunate because all my films, right from my debut Ishaqzaade, have come with a certain quality and scale. My first three films (Ishaqzaade, Aurangzeb and Gunday) were all produced by Yash Raj Films, which is undoubtedly one of the biggest that Bollywood has. 2 States is from Karan Johar’s Dharma (Productions). Yes, there have been some offers coming in, but I haven’t signed anything apart from my dad’s (Boney Kapoor) Tevar and Finding Fanny (directed by Homi Adajania and co-starring Deepika Padukone). These are the only two films I am working on right now.

It took you four films to finally sign one with your dad. What can you tell us about Tevar?

The shoot’s coming along fantastic. We have shot about 50 per cent of the film and I will go back to finishing the rest of it soon. We have shot extensively in Lucknow and Meerut and I am very kicked about the premise that kind of combines politics with sports.

It’s also a lot of fun shooting with Sonakshi (Sinha). She’s such a thorough professional and, in my opinion, a very underrated actor. She’s definitely coming into her own now with films like Lootera and I think Tevar will give her a lot to do as an actress, even though it is an out-and-out commercial film. She’s someone I never really hung around with before Tevar, but we have moved around in the same circles and we have had common friends. But Tevar is the first time we actually have got down to interacting with and knowing each other.

The irreverent and edgy tone of Finding Fanny is not something that we have seen you do so far. What’s it been like making this film?

Oh, absolutely fantastic! The film is a very quirky take on the lives of five characters who undertake this road trip together that, due to certain circumstances beyond their control, stretches beyond the stipulated time. It was such a fun atmosphere on set and to have someone like Homi (who has made Cocktail and Being Cyrus) as the director just gives the film a whole new perspective. Then there’s also Deepika who I have known for so long, but Finding Fanny is the first film in which you will see us on screen together.

After 2 States, Arjun Kapoor is the new hottie on the block. Do you find your female fan following swelling?

You mean to say I wasn’t hot earlier?! (Laughs out loud) I don’t know about women, although that is always welcome (smiles). But honestly, I have found kids reacting a lot more positively to me after 2 States. The crowd that’s in their teens or maybe slightly younger than that… that’s the audience I have managed to bring over to my side after 2 States. That’s a connect that’s new for me because all my earlier films had me play slightly dark and edgy characters. Krish is the first boy-next-door that I have played. The kids have really liked Krish (smiles).

Arjun-Alia in 2 States

You are the face of the P&G Shiksha campaign that’s just celebrated its 10th year. How strongly do you feel about the cause?

P&G Shiksha deals with education and reforms and infrastructure, and it’s an initiative to create an environment to get as many children back to school. It’s something I really believe in… education is a foundation that determines your whole life and your career. It’s not so much about the books, but the life that you lead in school that kind of defines your existence on a wholesome level. Education in our country needs to be made free and available to each and every child. I am very grateful that I have been chosen to be a part of this initiative.

How much of a role has education played in your life?

I was a very happy kid going to school. But I wasn’t really a big fan of by-hearting stuff and studying all the time... but going to school, interacting with my peers and learning and absorbing all that was taught, in my own way. I had my own take on everything that was taught, which I, at least, found to be very interesting (laughs). I think I am what I am because of my upbringing and the time I spent in school.

Priyanka Roy

Does Arjun have the best chemistry with Alia? Tell t2@abp.in