Brilliant is understatement for Kareena: Arjun Kapoor

Hi, you were missing from the scene for a while with almost no release in the last one year.

Yes. (Smiles). I know my last film Tevar released almost more than a year ago. In the meantime, I was busy with a lot of things. I was shooting for  Ki And Ka and now the film is up for release. I also shot for Khatron Ke Khiladi, which was a really new and thrilling experience for me. There were a few other things that I was doing, so it was quite a busy year for me.

So, how was it hosting Khatron Ke Khiladi?

Oh it was an amazing experience. The show is being aired right now and the audience response so far has been overwhelming. We shot for the show in Argentina and I was expecting a lot of thrill and adventure before going for the show. But actually the thrill was a lot more than I had expected. The show demands the contestants to have a lot of courage and a very strong heart to perform those daredevil stunts and I must say that this season has a really very brilliant set of contestants who were willing to give their best.

Okay, so your film hits the theatres in another few days. Are you impatient?

Yes, certainly I am as this is my first release of the year, in fact in a while now. So, I am really excited about the film.

So you aren’t nervous at all?

No, not really. (Pauses and smiles) But if I say that, I will be lying. I don’t think any actor can say that he or she doesn’t feel nervous or impatient before the release of a film. Even with years of experience, an actor feels nervous to some extent before the release of a film. I think that’s bound to happen in an industry when the fate changes every Friday.

You are cast opposite Kareena Kapoor who is a lot senior to you. Did you have any apprehensions before accepting this role?

Oh no, not at all. I knew from the very beginning…everything about the story, so I knew what I was doing. In fact my pairing with Kareena Kapoor is one of the highpoints of the film because that’s what the script demanded. As an actor, my focus is more on what I am doing and the script of the film and that exactly what I did. I like the entire idea because it’s a wonderful story and is being helmed by one of the best directors in the country today.

How was it working with Kareena Kapoor?

It was great. She is a brilliant actress. In fact, brilliant is an understatement. She is one of the finest actresses in the county and comes with lots of experience. So, it was a delight working with her. She is a seasoned actress and the best thing about her is that she understands the medium so well that she need not be told what is to be done.

The film has a very interesting and unconventional storyline.

Yes, that’s what R Balki is known for. He comes up with some very different and unusual but very interesting stories and that’s what puts him in a different league. The film takes a look at housewives and how they most of the time don’t get their dues. They work throughout their lives in bringing up the family but don’t get their due. It’s because the Indian society thinks that to be their duty. So, in a way this film also deals with the issue of gender inequality.

And that’s why the guy takes up the responsibility of becoming a homemaker?

Right. (Smiles) In fact, the guy wants to become a homemaker because he feels that women spend all their lives in fulfilling the dreams of the other family members…husband, children…in-laws and everyone but in doing so their dreams never get realized. So, I take up the responsibility of looking after the home in this film. It’s has been done in a very funny and sweet style.

What would you have done had it been a real-life situation?

See, I don’t think any man in today’s times would want his partner to just take care of the home. If my partner wants to work she can work. It’s her dream and as her partner I should help her realize her dreams because that’s the only way to make a family happy.