Arjun Aneja - From Corporate Cubicles to playing Kiara Advani's Boyfriend In SatyaPrem Ki Katha (Actor Known for Neerja, Satyaprem Ki Katha, Visfot)

 

"Satya Prem Ki Katha was definitely a very unique experience, I was sold as soon as I heard during the narration that I was to play Kiara Advani’s boyfriend.
I was overwhelmed to know that the whole story revolved around my character."

Q. Arjun, can you share your journey into acting? What inspired you to pursue this career, and how did you get your start in the industry?

Well I was a corporate guy working 9:00-5:30 in a finance company as an accounting specialist until one day I realized this is not where I was born to be. The artist in me kept kicking in and one day I resigned my job and did an acting crash course in Delhi and left for Mumbai as soon as I finished it and saw myself in huge cues among hundred others auditioning in every studio possible.

Honestly it was not easy to face back to back rejections until one day after an year and a half of auditioning I got my first break which was an ad shoot for a car brand with Anil Kapoor ji and that was a game changer for me. Game changer in a way that it gave me a surety that these auditions are for real and we do get breaks from it and get a chance to work with big bollywood stars. I must have given thousands of auditions to be seen as much till date.

Q. Working in Satyaprem Ki Katha must have been a unique experience. How did you prepare for your role in the film, and what was it like working alongside such a talented cast and crew? Did the story resonate with you on a personal level?

SPKK was definitely a very unique experience, I was sold as soon as I heard during the narration that I was to play Kiara Advani’s boyfriend.

I was overwhelmed to know that the whole story revolved around my character.

There were bigger scenes that i shot however not much cleared the edit table but I accepted how it came as I shared screen with such talented actors.

My preparations got easy since Kartik and Kiara were very warm and friendly from day 1 and made me feel very comfortable each time I walked on set.

Well even the fighting scene with Kartik went very smooth. I remember the fight master designed the whole sequence and then later Kartik and I improvised a bit and I’m glad that particular scene went viral and how.

I don’t resonate with the character in personal life, I would say I’m not that bad in real life haha.

Q. Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi has such a strong fanbase. What was it like working on that show, and how did it feel to see the audience connect so deeply with the characters?

Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi was the most special tv show not just for me but I can say this on behalf of the entire cast. Definitely we all got a huge fan base because of the show, to an extent that even after 9 years of the show being on air even today I bump into fans who are watching the show on YouTube and recognize me and thank me, entire cast and makers for bringing that show.

People really connected to the story and loved every single episode. All I can say I’m very lucky to be a part of that show.

Q. Television and cinema offer very different experiences for both actors and audiences. How do you navigate these differences when taking on roles, and what do you feel each medium brings to your growth as an actor?

Definitely television and cinema are very different however I resonate to both as I have worked in both the mediums.

I wouldn’t deny that cinema prepares you much more stronger for the role depending how important it is with workshops and trainings while on the other hand television gives you a good start and preparation for the character as well but due to back to back episode delivery the character graph may not stay as sharp as it started off for justified reason.

So cinema adds more intensity to your character since we have limited shooting schedule while television brings more pace in your performance and trains you differently because a television show may go on for years.

Q. Who are the actors or filmmakers you look up to and draw inspiration from, and what about their work influences your own craft?

I am very drawn towards performances like Khilji, Bajirao, Gully boy and the kind of versatility these characters demand can only be delivered by Ranvir Singh. I’m a big fan.

Well I pick dialogues from his films and imagine if I was playing that part how would it be and then I act which helps uplifting my acting craft.

Also my favourite watch are films like Rockstar, Jab we met, Tamasha, love aaj kal which makes Imtiaz Ali my favourite film maker and I’m looking forward to working with him in future.

Well I have auditioned for his upcoming web show, keeping fingers crossed.

Q. Of all the characters you’ve portrayed, which one resonates with you the most ? Is there a particular role where you felt a deep personal connection or found similarities to your own experiences?

I played Sonam Kapoor’s brother in Neerja which I resonate the most with because of the cute and emotional bond I shared with Sonam in the film and I share similar bond with my sister in real life.

One of the major reason I was able to bag that role was my bonding with Alisha (my sister) in real life and in no time me and Sonam could deliver that on the silver screen too.

Bio

Arjun Aneja is an Indian actor known for his work across films, TV, web series, and commercials. After leaving a corporate job to follow his passion, he trained in acting and moved to Mumbai, landing his first break in an ad with Anil Kapoor.

He’s appeared in films like Neerja (as Sonam Kapoor’s brother), Visfot (primary character), and Satya Prem Ki Katha (as Kiara Advani’s boyfriend). He has featured in over 30 ad films, working with stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, and Parineeti Chopra.

On TV, he’s known for roles in Kuch Rang Pyaar Ke Aise Bhi, Ishq Mein Marjawan, and Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai, and played the negative lead in the web series Hello Mini (MX Player).

Arjun draws inspiration from Ranveer Singh and hopes to collaborate with his favorite filmmaker, Imtiaz Ali, in the future.

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Interviewed By Irene Elina Eldhose