What's the fun in being just a good, sweet boy, asks Arjan Bajwa

Fashion actor takes on a villainous role in Rustom

Arjan Bajwa is not your typical bad guy in the upcoming thriller Rustom, which also stars Akshay Kumar, Ileana D'Cruz and Esha Gupta and releases this Thursday, August 11, in the UAE. The hunky actor, who broke into the Bollywood spotlight with roles in films like Guru and Fashion, spoke to City Times about his 'multi-layered' role and vintage look in Rustom and how his acting journey has been so far.

What drew you to Rustom given that it's based on quite a controversial subject?
My role in Rustom is very evident from the tag line given to my character - 'an enemy in disguise of a friend.' My character Vikram Makhija is an arrogant, flamboyant stylish man from an affluent background... he belives in keeping his friends close but enemies closer. He will go to any length to fulfil his ambitions. It is an amazing role all the way from the character's body language, his look and clothes, to his multi-layered character.
I enjoy diversity in my roles and enjoy challenging myself as an actor. I have never been one for generic, safe roles. The complexity of the character along with the brilliant script really drew me to the film. The role of Vikram Makhija in Rustom is gritty, controversial and comes as a shocker! Plus, what's the fun in being just a good, sweet boy?

The film is largely based on the KM Nanavati case of 1959, about a naval officer who allegedly shot his wife. Did you know much about the case before you started work on the film?
I had heard of it, as the same subject was being considered by other filmmakers. However, it was our director Tinu Desai who narrated the whole story to me with all the details. Also, this was more than just a case. There are so many layers and subplots to the story and my character as well, which is the intriguing part about this film.

What was it like working with Akshay for the first time?
It was as exciting as it would be for any younger actor to work with his idol. He is someone I look up to in every way and sharing screen space with him was more inspiring than anything else. It gave me the confidence to better myself while acting alongside him. I am grateful that the opportunity came along to do an exciting thriller like Rustom as opposed to a run-of-the-mill story.

What do you want people to take away from the film? What do you think is the message it conveys to the audience?
I can't really talk from the audience's point of view, let them see the film and decide what they want to take away from the film. At the same time I would like the audience to give me all the love and appreciation that they have given to me earlier in all the films I have done to date.

You began your career with modelling - how did that experience help you in your acting career?
To be honest, I did not start with modelling, rather it just got synonymous with my name because I did a film called Fashion and in it I played a model!
I started my career with Telugu films - which provided me with the right 'schooling' to consider myself an actor. So far I have acted in more than 11 fantastic Telugu films alongside some brilliant directors and fellow actors. I also did a lot of TV advertisements which I consider a large chunk of my learning experience.
'THE BEST IS YET TO COME'
He has done a variety of roles in Bollywood so far, though not the lead. But that hasn't stopped Arjan from making a mark. "So far I have played a Parsi industrialist in Guru, a fashion model in Fashion, a happy-go-lucky doctor in Son of Sardar, a pathani suit clad Hyderabadi don in Bobby Jasoos and a hot-headed righteous Punjabi in Crook. I am proud of each and every one of these roles including my upcoming  one in Rustom. However, if you ask me, I always believe the best is yet to come!
(enid@khaleejtimes.com)