Arjum Rampal gets choosy
Mumbai : Actor-producer Arjun Rampal is picking up his roles with utmost care and says it's a conscious decision because he doesn't want to jump into any and every film that's offered to him.
"I really don't want to do work that will eventually disappoint me. I don't want to be in shabby products. I want to work with people who have the same respect for their work that I have. So, yes, it's a conscious decision not to jump into any and every work that's offered to me," Arjun told IANS.
Arjun says there's no dearth of work.
"Everyone goes through phases. Right now the phase I'm in, I need exciting and challenge work. It's very important to believe in yourself and be patient. I'm very clear about what I want to do. I won't do anything and everything I'm offered."
The actor has just turned down two roles and has been focusing fully on production. He opted out of "Shootout At Lokhandwala".
"See, I had to opt out of 'Shootout...' as I had no choice. I share a great rapport with director Apoorva Lakhia after 'Ek Ajnabee'. But I was shooting for my own film in London. There were dates issues... I couldn't get Shiamak Davar to choreograph on time. So the dates for 'Shootout...' clashed with his film.
"He wanted a particular look, which wasn't possible because of my film. I had long hair for my own film, which I had to cut for Apoorva's film. It was sad because I really wanted to work with him after 'Ek Ajnabee'. I guess what's not meant to be won't happen."
As for Anubhav Sinha's "Cash", "I injured my knee in the gym. And 'Cash' involved a lot of action. I'm still recovering and I'm not allowed to do any action for a month at least."
Then why did he accept the minuscule role in Karan Johar's Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (KANK)?
"Karan is a very dear friend of mine. He very honestly told me my role didn't amount to much. Since he asked me to do it, I immediately agreed. That's the kind of person I am. I like Karan and respect his work.
"Above all he's a wonderful human being. He just told me, come for a holiday to New York and be part of our film. I didn't even ask him about my role. Anyone who asked me about KANK I told them it's a walk-on part. I'm glad I did it."
He is enjoying his new role as a producer.
"I enjoy producing a film. I appreciate what the industry had given me. I'm grateful to the industry, and I want to give back some of what I got from it by making films."
Is the lack of opportunities the reason why Arjun has turned producer?
"Not at all. I think it's extremely important for every actor to make films at some point in their career as soon as they know what it takes to make a film. Because production teaches you the process of filmmaking."
Arjun doesn't believe the myth that models can't act.
"When I came into the industry with Ashok Mehta's 'Moksha' and Rajiv Rai's 'Pyar Ishq Mohabbat', there was a lot of cynicism regarding models... That they're wooden, that they seem to be modelling all the time. But I think a lot has changed since then. We've had successful model-turned-actors like John and Vidya Balan."
Arjun has been so busy he has had no time to spend with his wife and two children.
"But after I completed my production 'I See You' I took 20 days off to be with my family. There's no role I enjoy as much as being a husband and father."
