Disappointed with earlier projects, Arjun Mathur is finally in for a breakthrough. The 31-year-old tells Iknoor Kaur why he stopped expecting too much from films
Taking off as assistant director, Arjun Mathur is finally starring in the medical thriller, Ankur Arora Murder Case (AAMC). With nobody to back him, Arjun began young, assisting on films like Kyun! Ho Gaya Na, Bunty aur Babli, Mangal Pandey and Rang De Basanti.
“When I was 20, I didn’t want to go to college and couldn’t even start acting because I didn’t know what to do. That is when I felt the best way to learn was to be part of the process.” While the mainstream didn’t have much to offer, Mathur eventually started his career in short films by Mira Nair and Farhan Akhtar. His work got him a break in feature films, with side roles in luck by Chance and My Name Is Khan.
He was then part of Bombay High, a short by Ayush Raina as a part of Mumbai Cutting. He also appeared in My Friend Pinto. “The film was supposed to give my character importance. But I was disappointed,” he comments.Arjun considered the film a stepping stone but it was not. As luck would have it, his show on MTV also went unnoticed.
“I think Bring on the Night was a brilliant concept but didn’t get its due,” he shares. According to him it was the best piece of work he has done so far. He remarks, “I’ve realised no one will do you favours unless it’s mutually beneficial. Mira, Farhan and Karan were great help but I’ve never had a godfather.”
Mathur adds that he is not choosy about films. “What is important while taking up a film is the director, the strength of a script and possibility of it doing well.”
Making his first break in mainstream films, Arjun feels he has finally got a platform to display talent. Trailers of AAMC pose him as an integral character in the film. Commenting on its fate at the box office, he says, “I have stopped expecting. The public seems excited and critics’ reviews should be out. I can’t say anything till then.” He tells us word of mouth should carry this film forward as it carries with it a good cause, excellent performances and entertainment. The film releases today.