'Inn Sabke Saamne Mujhe...': Arjun Kapoor Opens Up About Claiming Credit For Singham Again Success

Big blockbuster movies have a way of reviving careers and Arjun Kapoor hopes same happens with his portrayal of main antagonist in Rohit Shetty's “Singham Again”, which he calls his "new starting point".

action-drama franchise, helined by Ajay Devgn , is third film in “Singham” series, which started with 2011’s “Singham” and was followed by “Singham Returns” in 2014.

two movies along with Ranveer Singh ’s “Simmba” (2018) and “Sooryavanshi” (2021), starring Akshay Kumar , are part of Shetty’s cinematic cop universe. y both feature in movie alongside Deepika Pukone , Kareena Kapoor Khan, Tiger Shroff and Kapoor.

"I’m happy people are liking my work... w is new starting point. rebirth or redemption, whatever you want to call it, I think it starts w,” actor told PTI in an interview.

Kapoor, who plays modern day version of Raavan, named Danger Lanka, in movie, said he has always been a fan of Shetty's work, including hits like “Golmaal”, “Singham”, and “Simmba”. He was thrilled to be approached for role. "He trusted me and he took that chance and I hope I repaid his faith. I loved working on film." 39-year-old actor, who me his debut in 2012 with "Ishaqzae", about two enemies-turned-star-crossed lovers, said offer for “Singham Again” came at right time in his life.

"I was looking at a challenge and an opportunity to prove and push myself and grab my chance in a competitive environment... I thought this was right opportunity.” Kapoor has portrayed characters of varying shes right from beginning wher it was his debut film or movies like “Ek Villian”, “Gunday”, and “Aurangzeb”. But actor said his portrayal in "Singham Again" gave him a chance to go all way out.

"I knew it's a blockbuster, a big budget bonanza that people come to watch. If I have to go all way re, you choose a film like this.

"Like, Ajay Devgn sir did 'Khakee', it’s a big film in which he chose to play a villain, Saif (Ali Khan) did ‘Omkara’, and Bobby (Deol) did 'Animal'. So, when you go for big films, you go to extreme. payoff is that mainstream audience that has liked you as a positive, will also like negative thing." Kapoor said he didn't approach his role as that of a demon king, Raavan, though film is Shetty's interpretation of epic "Ramayana". In film, actor abducts Kareena Kapoor Khan, who plays wife of Ajay Devgn's honest cop Bajirao Singham.

"I didn’t see it as playing Raavan, I thought of him as Danger Lanka. I was like, re's an interpretation of Ramayana in film. Like, ‘Rang De Basanti’ h legend of Bhagat Singh, but it was about those characters. He (Rohit) was making Ramayana way he h imagined it.

"But, for me, excitement was to play this uncontrollable m man, who believes he is right. It is a delicious place to be at, you can do what you feel like. I did what I felt like, and that was most exciting part of film as an actor to do.” Kapoor, kwn for films like “Ishaqzae”, “Gunday”, “2 States”, and “Sandeep Aur Pinky Farar”, said he has become aware that he needs to take care of himself physically and mentally to deliver his best as an actor.

“When you're young, you can take on a lot.  As time proceeds, I want to be very clear about saying yes because I want to really go out re and do a film. So, choices you're making on a day-to-day basis have to get better."   Kapoor believes his career took a hit in 2018 but with “Singham Again” turning out to be a hit, he hopes to make better choices in future.

“ last couple of years from 2018-2019, when I h a couple of films, and it didn't do it and n COVID-19 happened. Post COVID-19, things didn't really hit spot.

"I signed a couple of films, and t everything panned out perfectly. So for about five-six years... It's a long time before you feel any kind of connect with audience. It's t about praise or hate. You feel disconnected from your audience and y're t seeing work," he said. “Singham Again” has minted Rs 160 crore nett at box office and Kapoor said credit for success of movie should go to everyone who has worked on it.

“I did it for my own selfish reasons of being in a good film and making a reconnect with audience. I don't think people came to see me, but if y left with me, and y liked film, I'm happy with that. But intent was never that, ‘Inn sabke saamne mujhe ya rakhna’. We are all happy with credit, I'm sure I can speak on ir behalf."