Conquering hearts across the nation- Arjan Bajwa

Arjan Bajwa has been seen in diverse roles. He was the antagonist Arzan Contractor in Mani Ratnam's Guru and the struggling model Manav in Fashion. It's a lesser known fact that Arjan began his journey from the South and unlike other actors in Bollywood is popular in both the industries.

Bollycurry had a conversation with this amazing actor who kick started his career in Bollywood with none other than Mani Ratnam. Catch him share his memories of his journey from being a model to venturing into the stardom of Btown.

How did the journey in the industry begin ?
I am basically from Delhi and I did my education over there. I was into theatre and arts during my school and college days. Modeling happened to me when I was doing my architectural engineering and that's when dad asked me to decide to do what I wanted. He just wanted
me to be serious in whatever I do in my life.

You started off with your career in cinema with Telugu movies,how different is it from Bollywood?
I did not feel any difference in the work culture, but the only difference I felt was regarding the language. Also in South, the movies are completed fast because the crew does their research for the movie very early which makes it easy to shoot.

How was the life after Guru?
It has been great because I was critically acclaimed for the work and being a part of a Mani Ratnam movie is like a dream come true for me. People still remember Arzan Contractor or better known as Contractor Saab. After the movie Mani sir was really happy and David Dhavan Ji still appreciates me for the performance.  I remember an incident when I was the host of the South Film Fare Awards. Abhishek happened to be there and seeing me he addressed me as contractor Saab. The name has become synonymous to me.

Do you feel that because you have done more of Telugu movies, you are recognized more there?
Not at all, because even though I have done fewer movies in Bollywood compared to Telugu Industry, the movies I worked here were with great directors and offered characters and most of them were huge successes. Hence I
did not feel there is a difference in reception from the audience.

Fashion has gained you a lot of attention; how was the experience?
The movie was a fantastic experience coming from a great director like Madhur Bhandarkar and working with an actress like Priyanka Chopra. Here too, the critics have been very kind to me.

Did you find yourself in Manav?
Yes I did find myself in Manav who sticks to his rules and is hardworking without looking for short cuts. But at the same time I was not a struggler like Manav.

Crook was a movie wherein you had a very prominent role, but people did not even see you in the promos which kept them in darkness about your presence.
Crook was a movie that had a great concept but was promoted in a wrong way. However, I received a great deal of appreciation from Mahesh Bhatt sir. In that way, Summer 2007 also had a good concept but it was promoted as a youth based movie.

Which is the most challenging role that you did till date?
The character of Contractor was the most challenging one because I was playing a character that I did not know about but at the same time was living in the past.

You have been into modeling, ads and movies; what do you enjoy the most?
I think it is almost the same thing because in all the three aspects it is acting and the only difference is the duration of the outcome.

What is the thing that you have learnt after being in the industry?
One thing I realized is that if you know how to act, there is
definitely a place in this industry. People say that there is a lot of competition and struggle, but if you have the talent and confidence, then you can make a mark in this industry.

It is a general notion that a model turned actor cannot do justice to acting as a profession; what is your take on that?
I know I began my career as a model, but for me there had always been a progression as an actor from a model. Even though the term model turned actor is there, I never came across a remark wherein my acting talents have been questioned. I have always been an actor.

You have just completed a movie with Hema Malini; how was the experience?
She is a seasoned actor and working with her was a great experience. The film is her production and I feel myself credited to work with her.

Can you tell us something about your role in the movie?
My character in the movie, Tell Me Oh Khuda, is of a Fashion Photographer who meets up a girl, played by Esha Deol and the movie proceeds with the journey of these two people. I am playing a romantic hero for the first time in this movie, because every time I have consciously tried to play different characters and this was one role that I have never tried, so I thought I should give it a try.

Is there a kind of role that you are looking forward to do?
I am looking forward to doing an action movie and also I love to do movies like those that Leonardo DiCaprio does. He is a marvelous and versatile actor and I look up to him.

What are your other projects?
There are two projects in hand, where one is a war film and the other is a thriller about which I cannot reveal anything now.