INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Arjun Aneja, who has done shows like Balika Vadhu, Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi, Ishq Mein Marjawan on TV, is winning accolades for his big
screen role as Tapan in Kartik Aaryan-Kiara Advani film Satyaprem Ki Katha
While he plays the role of a baddie, Arjun spoke to ETimes TV in the Tellyblazer segment about how he feels to be a part of the big league,
I got a call from the casting team
I had auditioned for Ek Villain 2, for an important part
My name was there in the data of the casting team
I was sent a brief of my character
slightly did come to my mind
But now I feel the system has changed a bit
So to cast me in a heroic role would also be very easy for the casting directors
I am glad I got to play the negative part, which is more challenging for me
If I am shown in a positive role, that will also be very easy.How has life been for you most this recognition from the film?It feels amazing
to be a part of such a big association
I have been receiving a lot of messages and calls, even from my school friends and college friends
I have been getting a lot of work calls, which definitely will convert into good projects.Do you feel with this film, you have entered the
Recently, someone recognised me from film and the other person recognised me from the show
Television is more reachable with people and films also have their own set of audience
I have fans from both mediums and I am happy about that.How did acting happen to you?It will take me 10 years back
I graduated from Delhi University
Right after graduation, I was working as an Accountant Specialist
I joined a modelling agency
It happened for 8-10 months
Even that was becoming very static
I wanted to deliver and express more than walking on the ramp
I remember the first monsoon came and it came as a surprise for me
It was raining massively, I got down and was in knee-deep water
The guard said it happens every year and I was experiencing it for the first time
My friend and I would have to go for audition everyday and we had to wear boots
We took the boots in hand, walk in that water, we would wash up and then go for auditions
Those were just one of those moments in Mumbai
The discipline, the effort that I put in has paid off.When did you get your first project after coming to Mumbai?I got an ad film with Anil
I got the ad after one and half year of stay in Mumbai
I came to Mumbai for the first time from home
And in a place like Mumbai, taking up a flat and stay, it brings a lot of distraction
Being in the entertainment industry, it becomes a bit of challenging to be focused
I was 24-25 back then, and I would say this that ek-der saal maine apna pura kharab kiya hai
I used to meet a lot of friends, I would play cricket, I would party, chill
Jis motive se main Mumbai aaya tha, maine totally out of focus tha
I am very thankful that this ad happened
I was passing by a studio and someone asked me if I would like to test for the ad
The myth of you need to know somebody, crashed
The only thing is, you need to go for auditions and get it
But be disciplined and keep auditioning
This changed the entire course of my acting career
For other people, I have seen it is a challenge
One fight for them is to reach Mumbai and then find a foothold is the second challenge
So for me, they supported me financially in the initial years
Then I became responsible and never looked back for their support.How did you bag your first TV show?The first TV show was Balika Vadhu
It was a cameo for a month or two
It was like a push to start
I worked with Akshay Kumar, Parineeti Chopra, Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor
It gave me the exposure to work with these big guys in the industry
It gave me a lot of courage
We did workshops to blend in as a family
There was no looking back after this
I have been working on all platforms.How has life changed for you?When I look back, I feel very proud of myself
It is very important to boost yourself
I have been through highs and lows and I feel extremely grateful
During Covid-19, I had to go back home, give away the flat
I wrote two films, which I will be directing soon
I see a drastic change in me from how I was back then
I am a mature Arjun today
Those incidents were supposed to happen to make me who I am today
In the past few times, when I would be asked to share my details for a certain character, we are also asked to share our Instagram link
Now the game has gone to the number of followers you have
I was getting this repeatedly
I had a discussion with a couple of actor friends and they lost out on projects for less number of followers
