Nagpur Today.
The happy go lucky guy Rajat aka Rajjo of Luv Ranjan’s romantic comedy Pyaar ka Punchnama 1, played by Bollywood’s budding heartthrob Kartik Aaryan is strongly etched into memories of movie buffs. From playing the lover boy in PKP1 and then Akaash Vani to convincingly portraying tough protective guy in Subhash Ghai’s damp squib Kaanchi, Kartik has fairly experienced his share of highs and lows in such a short span in Bollywood.
Often praised for his method acting, Kartik is set to return on big screen yet again with the sequel of his 2011 hit PKP1. His Pyaar ka Punchnama 2, is hitting theatres this Friday, October 16, 2015.
Ahead of the release of PKP2, Nagpur Today caught up with Kartik in an hour long exclusive interview, in which he talked about his new movie, his acting and journey so far.
We last saw you in film Kaanchi and now you are set to return with Pyaar ka Punchnama 2 after an year. Any specific reason for taking so long?
-There is no such reason. Its only that I am in no hurry. After I finished Pyaar ka Punchnama, I did Akaash Vani and then I started Kaanchi which took another year. I think I have been launched quite early as I was only 20 when I did PKP-1. It takes time for an actor to attain maturity level. I am just taking my sweet time.
Are you doing mindful selection of your movies?
Mindful means there is a gut feeling associated to my every selection. Sometimes it works and sometimes it goes wrong. While doing PKP it was my gut feeling again and it turned out exactly as expected. Then Aakash Vani was another romantic comedy and equally serious.Then there was some action in Kaanchi. So I do not pay heed to any specific genre. While I listen to the script I get this gut feeling that this script may translate into a good movie and can be accepted and received well with audience.
Your performance in PKP-1 was critically acclaimed? What do you have common in PKP-2?
Even when I did PKP-1, I had no idea about the industry. Infact, I was very raw then. I didn’t know what was PR and Management. I was a complete outsider then and much younger too. As PKP turned out be convincing, I must say PKP2 is concept driven movie. I am equally confident about PKP2 as the matter is different but relatibility with previous film is there and the script is also mindblowing. This movie is not made for drawing hit but for the people to love it. This is the reason the director has taken 4 long years to come up with the fresh franchise. I think writing is the backbone of this film.
Tell us about your character in Pyaar Ka Punchnaama 2?
I have all new character in PKP2. As an actor I am trying to bring the recall value to the film. The name of my character is Gogo aka Anshul while in the previous movie I played Rajjo aka Rajat. But you will get to hear Gogo most of the time.
PKP-1 was a like a mix and match sort of love story. Is the genre of its sequel in the same order?
As the title of the film goes, it is basically the same. We are not showing how love happens but we are delving deeper into the life after love. You fall in love quickly. Which turn your life takes after that is the crux of the story. The boys will be shown facing issues in their love life. The main story will open after they get into relationship and every one will relate to the situation in this film.
You are from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh. Without any film background you managed to pull it off in Bollywood. Tell us about your experience so far?
Still I am learning. Both my parents are doctors. I came to Mumbai to actually act but I told my parents that I wanted to pursue engineering. I even took admission in DY Patil Engineering college in Mumbai. Simultaneously I also travel from New Mumbai to Mumbai to give auditions. I also joined acting school Creating Characters. Then finally I came across a casting call by Vicky Sirhana in which he required a boy to play Rajjo in PKP. I went to audition and rejected several times and then called again and then again rejected. Eventually after six months they were convinced that I was apt to play this role. Infact, I did not reveal about it to my parents until the contract of PKP came to me, because we belonged to a middle level city and this choice of career was not easily accepted. Later when I revealed it to them, my mom insisted me to also complete the engineering. Since I have no godfather, it is bit challenging to keep going. To be continuously seen is bit difficult especially when you have no film background.
Kaanchi was expected to a big ticket movie before its release as it was showman Subhash Ghai’s comeback movie? Even it was considered as your big launch pad? Were you disappointed when the movie bombed at the box office?
Then I was only happy thinking that I got a chance to work with Subhash Ghai. However, I was not disappointed by the fate of the movie. To tell you the fack I was rather sad when Akaash Vani did not work as I was expecting a lot from this movie.
So now you can tell your parents that you are completely taking up acting?
That was my forte earlier too and will remain. I am not really bothered about the hit and failure as I have not received any negative comments about by work. My work has been always appreciated. Nobody told me that my work is bad. So when you know your work you can get yourself going.
People say that cinema has changed. What do feel about this?
I think change is not so drastic and going too minutely. However I am not that experienced but as far I can see, I find the commercial and concept driven films are quite different but both have their niche audience. We see the films in Hollywood are too progressive than our cinema, as we are still to catch up with their kind of film making.
Any new projects besides PKP2?
Yes there are few in pipelines, but I can only talk about them once everything comes concrete.
Have you any dream role to play?
I would love to play the kind of role Ranbir Kapoor in Rockstar.
What’s your message to those still struggling to make it in films?
I would only say that do not get dejected by the rejection. Sometimes, it may happen that you would not fit into the character as it may not suit even the biggest star, but keep on working hard. You will certainly reach right place at the right time, and be positive. But yes you should get the reality check and try to understand.
Pyar ka Punchnaama -2 is hitting theatres on October 16, 2015
