Mumbai: Armaan Jain, the legendary Raj Kapoor’s grandson, may not be a Kapoor by name, but the work ethics of Bollywood’s first family are a part of his DNA. The 23-year-old, who will be making his debut in Lekar Hum Deewana Dil, understandably is feeling the pressure that comes from expectations of meeting the standards set by his cousins Ranbir and Kareena, the two reigning superstars.
While promoting the movie, Armaan’s co-star Deekhsa Seth let us in on what the mood on the sets was like. Deeksha, who had worked in Tollywood before moving to Bollywood, said, “Pressure? We had to coin a new term ‘self imposed pressure’ for what Armaan was putting himself through on the sets. Even after 40 re-takes, he would ask the crew for the 41st and 42nd.”
Armaan obviously has his reasons. “Acting is a vocation for the Kapoors and I am inspired by all of them. I am working hard and trying to better myself. I’ve only started learning the craft of acting now.”
That is because Armaan never grew up around films. He explains, “Since my father, Manoj Jain, is an investment banker, as a child, I knew more about stock trading than anything else. I always wanted to be an actor, but did not know where to start. So, I left college, got a job as an assistant director with Dharma Productions and learnt about direction and editing.”
“Then one day, I was approached for Lekar Hum… I auditioned for three-four months. It was an open casting, which meant I could be replaced any time. But seeing the audition tapes, my director, Arif (Ali) sir, said, ‘You look closer to the character’.” And Armaan agrees that he is indeed like the character he is playing in the film Dino.
Dino is 20-something, fun-loving, is a sports fan and also has an adventurous streak. Quite like young Armaan himself. “I love football. But with all these promotional activities, I am missing all the Fifa action. Sadly, England, my favourite team, is out,” he said.
During the making of Lekar Hum… , Deeksha gave Armaan an insight into the world of Tollywood. “I have seen almost all of Deeksha’s Telugu movies. I love Vedam and Allu Arjun is superb. Luckily, I got to meet him last year at Bandra. Later, on the set, I told Deeksha, ‘I met your co-star’. I found Allu Arjun very humble.”
Embracing the Southern flavour further, Armaan wore a lungi before wrapping up the press meet and said: “In the movie, Deeksha plays Karishma Shetty, a South Indian girl. Since I am here, I must also wear a lungi.”
Clearly, Armaan has the famous Kapoor charm down pat.
