Arjun Kapoor Reflects on Career Struggles and Negativity on Raj Shamani’s Podcast

Arjun Kapoor, who made his Bollywood debut in 2012 with Ishaqzaade, recently shared insights into the challenges and criticisms he has faced throughout his career. Speaking on Raj Shamani’s podcast, Figuring Out, the actor candidly opened up about the pressures, personal setbacks, and harsh judgment he has encountered in both his personal and professional life.

Arjun addressed the constant negativity and skepticism he has faced since his debut, claiming that “people wanted him to fail.” Elaborating on this, he said, “By people, I mean those who are slightly critical, clickbaity, and prone to trolling—they saw me as an easy target.”

The actor also discussed the pressure of working on Singham Again, a multi-starrer featuring industry heavyweights like Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, and Ranveer Singh. He revealed, “I felt very happy when Rohit sir told me that people were now talking about me and recognising my ownership of the film. It was a graceful moment because, for a long time, people wanted me to fail.”

Arjun further attributed much of the criticism he faced to preconceived notions about his background and personal life, combined with the underperformance of some of his films. “The perception was that I didn’t like working, didn’t care about my work, wasn’t interested in improving, and didn’t deserve to be an actor. This sentiment was amplified by the physical struggles I faced during a significant period in my career, which stemmed from health issues I only recently spoke about. I understood how this narrative made it easy for people to throw darts at me," he shared.

The actor also spoke about how deeply a harsh review for Kuttey affected him, saying, “I respect reviews, but I don’t respect personal attacks.”

Recent Work and Challenges

The past few years have been challenging for Arjun, with several of his films, including Sardar Ka Grandson and Bhoot Police (2021), Ek Villain Returns (2022), and Kuttey and The Lady Killer (2023), receiving lukewarm responses from audiences and critics alike. However, he seems to have turned a corner with his portrayal of the villainous Danger Lanka in Rohit Shetty’s Singham Again this year, marking a notable comeback in his career.

Through his candid revelations on the podcast, Arjun Kapoor offered a glimpse into the resilience and self-awareness that have kept him moving forward despite the obstacles in his path.