Box office is a big benchmark to know what people are thinking: Arjun Kapoor

Arjun Kapoor’s latest release Half Girlfriend, which stars Shradhha Kapoor, has been doing well at box office. The film has collected 45.63 crore so far. The film was directed by Mohit Suri and it was based on Chetan Bhagat’s novel. Arjun talks about the success of the film, his journey in the industry and the issue of high tax imposed on entertainment under GST bill.

How do you look at the success of your film Half Girlfriend?

If I look at my journey, it is going ahead positively and more and more people are appreciating my work. It is just positive that I always try and take out it of every situation. Here there are too many positives. Audience from across the world are appreciating the film that is something you don’t get in every film. The film resonates and connects with the heartland of India. I have been getting messages from Lucknow, Indore, Kanpur and Jammu, Orrisa, these are the things you cannot quantify, but I am very happy and proud that I did a film which could connect me to these regions.

Have you got any special compliments from anyone?

I really respect and trust Aditya Chopra’s judgement. He  liked my work and the film. He has always been honest with me about all my work. I am really happy that he liked the performance.Ranbir Kapoor saw the film and he told me he loved the film, he is a friend of mine and a fellow actor too. So people like these like your work then it gives you real joy.

Your film has also got some negative reviews, does it affect you?

I have read some reviews as long as they are honest to what they feel then I am fine with it. I can always make out whether a reviewer is being personal about it or being objective about it. So that much sensibility I always had. At the end of the day if that would have been a factor then film wouldn’t have done well. If we make mistakes while doing a film then sometimes reviewers can also make a mistake. I have no qualms and won’t hold anything against anybody. It is part and parcel of the profession and you just move ahead. Box office is a big benchmark to know what people are thinking and that is what most important and valued part is.

You  completed five years in the industry, so how has been your experience?

It has been an amazing journey. God has given me more than I could have ever imagined. I have got so much love and affection, success, acclaim, emotional support from people. That is what actor works for, to connect to people. I think that is what has happened with all my films.

In upcoming GST bill, the government has put extra taxes on entertainment and put it under luxury and gambling section, so what are your views on It.?

It is unfortunate and I hope that government would have given us more value for the service we provide and entertain people. It is bit disappointed that they have put us in the luxury and gambling department. It is tad bit underwhelming that that we are being categorised in that frame. It is not a fair thought process because we are not doing what they think. We are not giving a luxury, we are part of people’s life on day to day basis, and we give them happiness and connect with them. We would have liked to have situation where we as an industry should try to explain the government and not fight it. There is always a perception that industry has a  lot of money because there are lot things spoken about in terms of box office collection and budgets but if you compare it with the industry which is actually doing well then we are only 1% of those industry in terms of money. So it is a perception that lot of money is floating around but the reality is far more money is floating around in the country and in other industries. So now it is upto us to keep fighting. I hope it would have been little easier because we provide entertainment and we do it at a large scale. So entertainment is looked at as luxury but in our country it is a necessity. We have only two forms of entertainment that is sports and cinema. So I hope government does find a solution to give us more support and encouragement in future. You can only hope for the best.