Article Updated 14 December, 2005 02:38:39 AM IST   'Film industry is the most unpredictable place to be in' - Arjun Rampal By Vickey Lalwani ©2005 Bollyvista.com   Recently, we saw Arjun Rampal in Bachchan's film 'Ek Ajnabee'. Normally shy and reticent, Rampal lets his hair down in a free-wheeling chat with VICKEY LALWANI Have times changed ever since you came to the industry? When I entered the industry, models were considered wooden when it came to acting. Thankfully, things have changed. Why don't we see you more often? I don't want to do crap. I want to do good films I can be proud of, like 'Ek Ajnabee', for one. This is my second film with Amitabh Bachchan after'Aankhen' in 2002. Recall your first shot for 'Ek Ajnabee' with Bachchan. My first scene with him was a fight sequence. I had to beat up some guys, and come to him. Then, he was to tell me, 'Maine samjha tum unko jaan se maar donge' (I thought you would kill them). I was to reply, "Maine jaan se maarna chood diya hai' (I have stopped killing people). However, I just couldn't say that line when I first looked into the Big B's eyes. It was just not possible for me to do that take initially! I was nervous and jittery. What role do you play in 'Ek Ajnabee'? I play an army officer who has been court-martialed from the army. While in the army, Bachchan was his mentor. My character meets him again after quitting the army. What's next? My next big film is Karan Johar's 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna'. The multistarrer also features Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji and Preity Zinta. Shooting is still on in the US. Why do a guest appearance in 'KANK'? Karan is a buddy. I cannot refuse him. He said he had written the role keeping me in mind. I thought if that was the case, I must do the part. You have adopted 12 kids affiliated to NGO, Project Crayons? Right. Project Crayons approached me. I thought they were genuine people, and I must say, they have not let me down. There is tremendous accountability in their work. What made you take this step? Project Crayons gives shelter to mainly girl children from the streets. I hear so many stories about female street kids being exploited and sexually assaulted, and I get terribly disturbed. It's time we all did our bit to provide them shelter and care (pauses). Please continue... Such NGOs should be encouraged. There are NGOs who do not deliver what they promise, but I will vouch for the efficiency and transparency of Project Crayons. Frankly, it's not difficult to do something like this if you have genuinely decided to change someone's life for the better. I even motivate some of my friends to join in. List your forthcoming films? Meridian (in English), Farhan Akhtar's 'Don' remake, Karan Johar's 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' and Ramu's 'Darna Zaroori Hai'. Has Rampal finally arrived? No. You can never say that in the film industry. It's the most unpredictable place to be in. Sometimes it's great, sometimes it's not. You arrive, disappear, and then resurface again. That's the way it works...   close   Print this Article http://www.bollyvista.com   http://www.bollyvista.com/article/a/34/5961