Arjun supports remakes

Mumbai, May 11 (IANS) Bollywood actor Arjun Kapoor admits his "father made a living out of making remakes" and that he would love to be a part of the kind of cinema made by his father Boney Kapoor.

Although Boney Kapoor is a well-known filmmaker, Arjun made his debut with Yash Raj Films' "Ishaqzaade" and the same banner too produces his second film.

"I want to be an asset for my father and be his strength. I don't want to be a weakness where he has to nurture me," Arjun, 27, told IANS. He is Kapoor and Mona Shourie's son.

"I would rather let him make his kind of cinema and be a part of it. He is an expert at making remakes of southern films... and I would rather he makes it with me," added the actor who will feature in Hindi remake of southern movie "Okkadu", being produced by his father.

Kapoor's hit movie "Wanted" was a remake of Puri Jagannadh's Telugu film "Pokiri".

Expressing his views on remake culture, the actor said: "My father made a living out of making remakes in last few years. As long as you find a fresh take on it, I don't have an issue with remakes. If you feel that a story can me remade on a broader platform, then I feel it is your duty to add your vision to it."

Even though he comes from a film family, his grandfather Surinder Kapoor was a producer, uncles Anil Kapoor and Sanjay Kapoor are also into films, Arjun paved his way all by himself into showbiz.

"My journey is my own. I feel it is very unfair for someone to make a judgement that because I hail from the film industry, life is easier. Everyone's life has challenges and so does mine. I am passionate about cinema that is why I feel I can be a good actor. I have an understanding of the craft and that is why I feel I can do a good job at it," he said.

"I am a producer's son, not a hero's son. Many producers' sons have come and gone and many will come and go. If I have stood here, it is because I have the ability to stand here. I hope people realise that it is not so easy (to survive) for people within the fraternity as well," he said.

His parents separated and later Kapoor married actress Sridevi. But it hasn't changed their equation as father-son.

"He is a part of every decision I make because he is aware of my work. He is also an audience member and has been a producer for many years. He understands the pulse of the public. It is more of a father-son conversation that helps me make decisions for myself," said Arjun.

Being part of the industry, he feels the audience have changed a lot.

"The perception of the industry has not changed. What has changed is the way our viewers watch our films. The audiences have evolved. They have become sensible, intelligent and accepting all kinds of cinema," he said.

Kapoor has his hands full with films like "Aurangzeb", "2 States" and "Gunday" at the moment.

"I am one of the fortunate few, who have got this opportunity. I am glad that I have so many options to showcase my potential and I hope people enjoy watching these (films)," he said.

What about time management?

"I don't manage my time. I just live on the sets and I love that. I am fortunate to have got this opportunity so it is up to me to make the most of it. I got my first opportunity by auditioning, so that was luck. Now I have so many different scripts to choose from. I feel my hard work is paying off," said the actor.

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