‘Nowadays, purity is lacking in our work. It's all about creating one franchise after another': Arjun Rampal

Indian Express

17 hours ago

No one in today's film world can slip into a complex, grey character with as much ease and style as Arjun Rampal. There's some level of poetry in the way he carries sadness, as if it's a part of him. There's some degree of panache in the way he asserts himself on screen. We've seen him live this in films like Rock On, Om Shanti Om, Don, and D-Day. And then there's his work on the small screen, where something like Bandish Bandits Season 2 showed another shade of his talent. Now, Rampal is back with Raina Naidu Season 2 on Netflix, standing tall opposite Rana Daggubati and Daggubati Venkatesh. In an exclusive chat with SCREEN, he shares how he steps into these layered roles again and again, what it's like to live inside Raina Naidu's world, and what audiences can expect from his next film Dhurandhar.
Edited excerpts for brevity and clarity
Q: Your portrayal of morally grey or intense characters has really struck a chord with my generation. There's this undeniable charm in how you bring complexity to the 'baddies'. Say whether it's in Om Shanti Om, Ra.One, or more recently Raina Naidu. I have this theory that if we ever remade John Wick in India, you'd be perfect to headline it — there's an effortless, simmering intensity you bring that feels tailor-made for roles like that. So I want to start by asking: How do you approach these layered, often dark characters? Is there a particular process you follow to find that spark within them?
Arjun: Haha! I agree with your theory. When I play any character, it would be unfair for me to get into it if I didn't know where this guy's belief system lay. For example, when I'm playing a bad guy, that's not me, that's that character. When you're playing a good guy, that guy is not him either. That's just a character. How many of those kinds of characters truly exist in the world? If you're so good, you'd be a saint, and I haven't seen many around. And if you're so bad, you'd be the devil, and I don't see many of those kinds of people either. It happens because of circumstances, choices, this, that, the other.
In these characters, I search for the backstory. Where have they come from? What must have made them this way? You don't necessarily need to see that in the film, but for me to fall back upon, to know how to play them, it has to come from that. What must have transpired between them? And they have to have a certain element of humanness. That human quality, I think, is what makes it attractive.
Q: You were one of the early mainstream actors to explore OTT back in 2018, long before it became a norm. Now in 2025, you're doing Raina Naidu Season 2. However, there's a growing concern that OTT content is becoming formulaic, even saturated, especially with how storytelling is handled at the moment. Do you agree with this sentiment? How do you personally view the evolution of OTT as an actor and viewer?
Arjun: Yeah, that's true. But I mean, we've also had some incredible content that's dropped on OTT. You know what I mean? There's some really, really good work happening. Yes, there was a golden period of writing, say, about 7–8 years ago, when it was really, really great. But to maintain that level of consistency is impossible. Because suddenly there's a generational change. New writers are coming in, new people, new actors, and the world itself has changed so much in 8 years. So to put that kind of process and intention back on the table, it'll take time. But that doesn't mean we're doing bad work. I think it's easy to say, 'This is it, we've hit saturation, nobody wants to go to the movies anymore,' that's just not true. People will always want to go to the movies.
What we need is to be more conscious about the kind of work we do, to focus more on the art, not just the product. For example, when you watch a show like Adolescence, it's mind-boggling. It's one of the best things I've seen in many, many years, and that came out this year. So how can you say there's no talent, or that people aren't thinking or investing in great content? Yes, OTT today is catering to many different kinds of audiences, and trying to maintain a certain quality while doing that. I think as long as we don't drop the quality, and we encourage more people to think from an artistic point of view, you'll see the upsurge again.
But if we end up only trying to to turn non-franchisable content into franchises, then you're going to land yourself in trouble. That's why, when I did a season 2 with Rana Naidu, or when I did a cameo in Bandish Bandits, it was because I genuinely enjoyed what they had done with season 1. When I read the writing for Imroz's character, I felt confident they were going to take it to another level. It was a guest appearance, just two days of work, and I went and did it. I didn't expect this kind of love and adulation for it. But it came from a pure place. And I think the more pure we are in our intent — the kind of work we choose to do, the more that shows. That's what's lacking sometimes. We're always focused on making something huge, putting it out there, and creating franchise after franchise.
Also Read | Arjun Rampal says Shah Rukh Khan has 'seen a lot in life', highlights SRK's X-factor: 'He has a tremendous amount of depth'
Q: What can you tell us about your character in Raina Naidu Season 2?
Arjun: With Rana Naidu season 2, what I appreciated is how the team really worked hard, first, taking the risk of making season 1, and then taking an even bigger risk with season 2. Season 1 worked, now the pressure is even greater. But they've stayed true to what they created in season 1 and enhanced it in season 2 with a completely different story and some really interesting new characters. It's a solid watch with great writing, that same unpredictability, a flawed protagonist, and a terrifying antagonist who's extremely unpredictable. And if you like bad guys, I think you'll really like Rauf. And personally, I felt I've never played a character like this before, so it was incredibly refreshing to do it.
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Q: It's a show that already had a huge following. Was it intimidating stepping into an already successful franchise, and did that add any pressure?
Arjun: Yeah, of course. I mean, there's a responsibility, right? When they come to you and offer you something, there is definitely pressure. Because you know they've already done a whole season 1 — so you're like this adopted child coming into the family in Season 2. But they were amazing. All of them. It was honestly so much fun working with Rana, with Venky, with everyone. The whole cast and crew were incredible. Most of my scenes were with Rana and Venky, but yeah, it was just a phenomenal team. There's Karan Anshuman, there's Suparn, there's Abhay. Three people with very different mindsets making the same show. So one day you have one director, the next day another. And it's so interesting, because even though they bring different insights, we're all on the same page.
Q: Your film with Honey Trehan, Punjab 95, has been stuck in limbo due to censor issues. It's a story that a lot of people are eager to see. What's your take on the delay, and if it does finally get a release, what kind of film should we expect?
Arjun: It's a beautiful movie, such a fantastic film. But, you know, it is what it is. It's not like the censor feels it's a bad film, or that there's something wrong in it. I think they have their own reasons — reasons known best to them. So you should ask them, what is the reason this film isn't really coming out? Because I'd genuinely love to know. It's a true story. We put our hearts and souls into it. I really love it. It's a beautiful, really beautiful story.
There's not even a very strong message in it that could be seen as problematic. So I don't know why this is happening. I'm still not clear about it. But I'm sure they'll find a way to figure it out. Sometimes, I think, people worry that a film might evoke an emotional reaction, something that could go south after watching it. And I don't think the filmmakers ever intended anything like that when they made this film. But if someone feels that way, if they think there could be security issues or concerns of that sort, then I suppose they're justified in thinking like that. Still, I do believe the film will find its way sometime soon. I hope so
Q: Before we wrap up, I have to ask about Dhurandhar. Just the cast, you, Ranveer Singh, and Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, is reason enough to be excited. It looks like a gritty thriller, something in the zone of D-Day maybe? What can you tell us about the film and your experience shooting it?
Arjun: Well, I think you all should just be really happy that this film is being made, we all are. Aditya Dada is a genius, truly. I've worked with him, and he never ceases to surprise me, every single time. The whole team is phenomenal. Ranveer is in top-top form. Sanju is in top-top form. Akshay is in top-top form. Madhavan is in top-top form. And I'm trying to be in top-top form myself! So yeah, it's going to be a ride — a ride that everyone should get ready to take.