Mohar Basu (BOMBAY TIMES; March 11, 2016)
His boy-next-door looks and charming smile belie his wicked sense of humour. Kartik Aaryan, who shot to fame with Pyaar Ka Punchnama, thanks to his ;anti-women' rant, has been nominated in the Best Actor in a Comic Role category at the Times of India Film Awards (TOIFA) 2016 for the movie's sequel. He speaks to us about how he has managed to win the hearts of women despite his harsh monologues against them. Excerpts:
Your performance in Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2 has won you a nomination at many award functions this year...
I am humbled and grateful for being recognised in this industry. It has been a great year and being nominated amongst stalwarts is a matter of pride for me. I am very excited about TOIFA.
Is it difficult for non-star kids to get access to Bollywood?
Perhaps the access is easier. But easier doesn't necessarily translate to better opportunities. At the end of the day, it is your work that takes you far in any industry. I would have got better recognition, if I were a star kid. But I seek joy in the fact that my son or daughter will be known as a star kid. I was 20 when I entered Bollywood. It took me five years to win nominations at award shows. The way up has been difficult but I have worked hard to get here.
While all your other male co-actors from the prequel were replaced, you were surprisingly retained...
Bhaiyya...issi ko toh kehte hai talent (laughs) I think I was retained because of the monologue connect. I accepted it because my character was different from the first part.
Were you worried that the monologue will deprive you of female fans?
Initially, I did think that the monologue against women was a bit dicey. But I got lucky and now I have many female fans. Their love was unexpected, but women are sensible and hence know how to laugh at a good joke. I am happy that most of them took it in the right spirit.
Do you feel that whatever has been depicted in the film happens in real life too?
Incidents cannot be generalized but such things do happen. Girls promise they will be ready in 10 minutes but take 40 minutes instead. Window shopping is every boyfriend's harsh reality. Fiction finds inspiration in real life incidents.
Your performance in Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2 has won you a nomination at many award functions this year...
I am humbled and grateful for being recognised in this industry. It has been a great year and being nominated amongst stalwarts is a matter of pride for me. I am very excited about TOIFA.
Is it difficult for non-star kids to get access to Bollywood?
Perhaps the access is easier. But easier doesn't necessarily translate to better opportunities. At the end of the day, it is your work that takes you far in any industry. I would have got better recognition, if I were a star kid. But I seek joy in the fact that my son or daughter will be known as a star kid. I was 20 when I entered Bollywood. It took me five years to win nominations at award shows. The way up has been difficult but I have worked hard to get here.
While all your other male co-actors from the prequel were replaced, you were surprisingly retained...
Bhaiyya...issi ko toh kehte hai talent (laughs) I think I was retained because of the monologue connect. I accepted it because my character was different from the first part.
Were you worried that the monologue will deprive you of female fans?
Initially, I did think that the monologue against women was a bit dicey. But I got lucky and now I have many female fans. Their love was unexpected, but women are sensible and hence know how to laugh at a good joke. I am happy that most of them took it in the right spirit.
Do you feel that whatever has been depicted in the film happens in real life too?
Incidents cannot be generalized but such things do happen. Girls promise they will be ready in 10 minutes but take 40 minutes instead. Window shopping is every boyfriend's harsh reality. Fiction finds inspiration in real life incidents.