Arjun Kapoor On Movies, Masculinity And Mental Health

One look at Arjun Kapoor and you can’t not believe he could beat a dozen odd men to a pulp. The actor is big, broad and brooding in equal measure, and with his recent antagonistic turn in Singham Again, he’s convinced everyone that when it comes to brute strength and menacing demeanour, he can really bring it on. But before you go about pigeonholing him, the actor would like you to look beyond his physicality and focus on how he’s challenged every single stereotype about himself. 

As someone who has spoken about everything from his struggle with body issues to the loneliness he battled after the untimely demise of his mother, Kapoor has constantly and consistently redefined the image of a modern man. He’s strong, yes, but also vulnerable. Steely but sincere. 

Here’s a Bollywood star, who is anything like what you’d imagine him to be. And when we caught up with him, he was more than eager to prove just that. 

Esquire India: Now that people have reacted positively to your work in Singham Again, what’s your state of mind? 

Arjun Kapoor: I'll take it as a win because an actor works to be reinvented. Every now and again, you want to reveal new facets of yourself. Whatever people are calling it, it’s a compliment — it means there’s love, a reconnection, and a welcome from the audience. 

ESQ: What prompted this change in career strategy?

AK: It’s not about one specific incident, but a period of re-evaluation instead. Sometimes you calculate too much and make decisions that don’t pan out. For Singham Again, I went with my instinct and excitement as a fan of the franchise. It is completely opposite to what as an actor you're conditioned to think. My biggest learning has been to trust my gut, embrace challenges, and to stop overthinking.

ESQ: Why do you think men find it harder to express their emotions?

AK: Growing up, we hear things like “mard ko dard nahi hota”. Whether you want to or not, you're conditioned to believe that struggles are part and parcel. Whatever you’re going through, as a man, you're supposed to suppress it and deal with it internally. But keeping things bottled up affects your personality in many different ways. It’s important to find outlets for your emotions. 

ESQ: Is it hard to open up to your loved ones?

AK: I understand, it's not always easy to share your emotions with your family. Sometimes, your friends can come in. If your family is understanding, it’s amazing; if they're not, you need to find the right spaces to make them aware of what you're going through. It doesn't matter whether you give them full details or not - it's just about letting them know that you're dealing with something and you're not okay. Share what you are going through, even if it’s gradual. People around you often understand more than you know!

ESQ: Did your mental health struggles also affect your physical well-being?

AK: I already had my own physical upheavals - I was an obese kid who struggled to lose weight as an adult. If you're mentally not okay, of course, your physical health suffers, and vice versa. 

ESQ: How do you go about keeping your mental health in check? 

AK: When I feel weighed down, I go for a walk or work out. Physical activity helps release pent-up energy and keeps me balanced. Self-care is essential in today’s toxic world. For that, you need to find outlets, whether it's talking to people or taking care of your physical health with a workout. Finding a balance is key, even though it’s not always easy. It's taken me a while to adapt to it, and I still go through it every day. I deal with everything, but at least I've taken things in my own hands to build my life, rather than letting life pass me. 

ESQ: What advice would you give to men who are hesitant to speak up or seek help?

AK: You have to start slowly by allowing yourself time to open up to others. I think internal conflict can create a lot of turmoil, so it's important to find an outlet, whether it's therapy or friends and family. You have to give it a try. Because this age-old saying about men needing to be a certain way is a thing of the past. It's okay to go through this, it doesn't make you any less of a man. 

ESQ: What’s next for Arjun Kapoor? 

AK: At this point, I'm just enjoying reconnecting with the audience. I've shown that I'm willing to put in hard work and go the whole hog to deliver a character, versus just always playing the straightforward hero, which I think is a way more dynamic approach to being an actor today.