In an exclusive chat with The Free Press Journal, Arjan Bajwa reflects fondly on the shoot, the camaraderie they shared, and the professional energy that made their scenes memorable

Actor Arjan Bajwa, who played Shahid Kapoor’s elder brother in the 2018 blockbuster Kabir Singh, opens up in about his bond with the actor and addresses the often-discussed topic of insecurity among co-stars. Their on-screen chemistry as siblings earned immense appreciation from both critics and audiences.

Now, years later, in an exclusive chat with The Free Press Journal, Arjan reflects fondly on the shoot, the camaraderie they shared, and the professional energy that made their scenes memorable.

Opening up about how Shahid was as a co-star and if there were any insecurities, Arjan said, “Shahid is a fantastic guy. We had a great camaraderie on set. We shared a lot. We spoke a lot. I think he’s one of my favorite actors anyway. I really like Shahid as an actor and as a human being also. I think it was fantastic. We had a very friendly, brotherly bond on the set. And it was a great experience working on that film. He knew what he was doing. I knew what I was doing. And I think because of our synergies coming together and being honest to what we were doing, it came across on screen so beautifully."

"Everybody appreciated our chemistry as brothers in the movie and the bond that we shared. So, I don’t know if it’s rare, but whoever I’ve worked with, it’s always turned out to be very beautiful. I also believe what you give is what you get, that is also true. If you’re going to give good vibes, if you’re going to give positive energy, if you’re not going to make the other person think that you’re very insecure, and you’re trying to do something to maneuver your way in a wrong way, it shows through to everybody. I’ve seen it, people do that," she added.

Addressing whether he ever felt insecure in a project like Kabir Singh, where the spotlight was heavily on Shahid, Arjan shared, “I don’t think so because, see, first of all, if you’re going to be working in that kind of a scenario, you know what you’re getting into, so you don’t have to feel bad about it. Secondly, when you’re confident about what you’re going to do on screen, in terms of your looks, in terms of your work, there is no challenge to that. I also feel it’s a director’s job, more than an actor’s job, to make everybody feel mentally, emotionally, and professionally satisfied. Now sometimes, even when actors may not feel insecure amongst each other, if a technician doesn’t make you feel that secure, then there is a problem. Then there’s something wrong with the people you’re working with."

Arjan concluded by saying, "You know when somebody says actors are insecure, it’s not about insecurities. You’re working on screen, in a movie, to shine through what you’re doing. So, if you want to do something better, and the other person wants to do a one-upmanship, and then you want to climb over it, it’s not insecurity. You’re just trying to be better on screen. And I’m not talking about being better that your co-actor, you’re just trying to be better at what you are doing.”