There’s something about stepping into a new decade of life that makes for interesting conversation. Selfawareness kicks in harder while hindsight and experience start shaping decisions rather than impulse. In the case of Arjun Kapoor, adding to that is the fact that he is stepping into his 40s as a single man—a status he is enjoying for the first time in ages.

During a promotional event for Mere Husband Ki Biwi, Kapoor casually admitted his single status—marking a significant shift in his personal life after a long-term high-profile relationship. It’s not the only change. Kapoor has also gone back to a childhood love and dived headfirst into motorsports—he is now the owner of Speed Demons Delhi; a racing team in the Indian Racing League. On the professional front, Mere Husband Ki Biwi marks his comeback to family-friendly romantic comedy. “Whenever I meet people, especially on flights, they bring up Ki & Ka and Two States. The older generation, the family-driven audience, really connected with those films, and I realised I hadn’t done justice to that side of my career in a while,” Kapoor shares as we catch up over a call, just as he checks into his hotel in Melbourne. Reflecting on his film choices, he notes that he hasn’t done an out-and-out comedy since 2017’s Mubarakan—something he was keen to change.” It is a transition on multiple fronts for the actor. But if there’s one thing he’s always been comfortable with, it’s reinvention.

“I’ve done enough ensemble films, intense roles, and darker characters in the last few years,” he shares. “I loved those experiences, but a part of me was missing the lighter stuff.” Playing Ankur, a man caught between his romantic past and future, Kapoor leans into the chaos of the film’s premise, proving that sometimes, the best way to keep people guessing is to surprise them.

But Kapoor’s career has always been about contrast. He has swung between mainstream commercial fare and leftfield choices—whether it was stepping into a double role for Aurangzeb, working with veterans like Naseeruddin Shah and Pankaj Kapur in Finding Fanny, or turning the male stereotype peddled in Bollywood movies on its head in Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar. His filmography reflects a mix of deliberate risks and mainstream expectations. “I love working with ensemble casts. Whether it was Aurangzeb, Gunday, Mubarakan, or even Finding Fanny, I enjoy the energy different actors bring. Kuttey was another huge ensemble film where I got to work with Tabu, Pankaj Kapur, and Naseeruddin Shah. These experiences make you better as both an actor and a person,” he says.

His previous outing was in Singham Again as the nefarious Danger Lanka. “I wanted to work with Ajay sir for the longest time!” he quips. It turned out to be a role that reshaped his onscreen persona. “Even today when I travel, people talk about the beard and the hair,” he tells me. Danger Lanka presented him as a physically dominant, menacing force—a striking departure from the comedic chaos of Mere Husband Ki Biwi. “In real life, being stuck between your ex and partner is not so much fun,” he chuckles. “I wouldn’t wish that situation on anyone—having your past linger while you’re trying to move forward is tough. But that’s life—it’s all about balancing relationships while forming new ones.”

His love for ‘80s-era speed machines, a watch collection that values sentiment over spectacle, and years defined by sharp pivots of unexpected personal detours reflect a life built on fluidity. Now, as he steps into this new chapter, he seems more at ease than ever with the uncertainty. “That’s the fun...,” he grins. “You get to be all of it.” In his most personal interview ever the actor talks about:

Stepping Into A New Decade

“I’ve never been someone who plans decade-wise—or even yearwise. But for the next few years, I want to avoid running around like a headless chicken! The chaos and madness are great fun. You want to be working, making new memories, meeting new people, traveling—all of that stays valid. But as you get older, you start chasing a bit of stability. You don’t want to constantly be running in circles with just your ambition. I want more grounding, stronger foundations, and the ability to choose when to step out of my comfort zone—whether that’s work or travel. Of course, I still want the clichés—good work, a good life, quality time with people I love. But in my 40s, I want to absorb a lot more. I’ve always had small personal wishes and things I wanted to do. Now, I want to carve out the time to pursue them. I think I’ve understood myself professionally over the last 10 years, but my personal life has always been evolving. In the next 10 years, I want to explore more about myself and the kind of life I truly want to lead.”

Reinventing His Onscreen Avatar

“With Danger Lanka, originally, the idea was for a more Westernised look, but then we leaned into the dhoti and kurta aesthetic, which just fit. He wanted the physicality to be my strength—like an unstoppable force colliding with Singham’s immovable object. That’s why we added the scar, the lenses for my eyes, and the overall rugged feel. It was all built organically, and Rohit shot me in a way that made it even more impactful. Even today, people talk about that look. That’s the power of a strong visual identity.”

Navigating New-Age Relationships

“The idea of romance has changed—not because of any single factor, but because time has evolved it. Dating apps have changed the game. Earlier, you pursued one person you truly believed in. Even our movies reflected this. Films like Kal Ho Naa Ho, which also happens to be my first film as an assistant, still held on to the idea of ‘the one’. Saif’s character, for example, stayed in love despite being friendzoned. Today, that guy would probably move on a lot faster. Karan Johar explored that in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil—holding onto love while still trying to move forward. Now, you have options at your fingertips. That pursuit has been replaced by choice overload, making commitment more complicated. Technology has a lot to do with this shift. It makes connections easier, but also more disposable. You can literally be swiping left and right while sitting with someone else! With so many options, people don’t want to commit because they keep wondering what else is out there. It creates emotional conflicts. It’s not that love doesn’t exist, but situationships and ‘figuring things out’ have taken over traditional commitment. That’s why romance today is layered with new conflicts and emotions. It makes for interesting movies, though—hopefully, filmmakers keep exploring this modern complexity.”

The Need For Speed

“When I heard about a racing league in India that was so wellplanned and executed, I knew I had to be a part of it as a team owner [of Speed Demons Delhi]. Having people like John Abraham, Sourav Ganguly, and Naga involved added credibility. It felt like the right mix of people who genuinely love the sport. I’m still learning about the Indian motorsport scene, but what excites me most is that it’s official, authentic, and well-structured. It is amazing to be part of something that isn’t just a flash in the pan but a wellorganised, long-term effort. “Sports have always been therapeutic for me. Whether it’s football, cricket, or tennis, I’ve always loved watching sports, and racing was a natural part of that. When Formula 1 started being televised on sports channels, it became one of those things I’d look forward to on weekends—watching the qualifying, then the race. I grew up watching the Schumacher-Häkkinen rivalry, the McLaren-Ferrari battles, and then later, I watched the racing documentary Senna. “The 2025 F1 season is going to be different for all of us watching. I’ve always admired Lewis Hamilton—he’s quite something. Him controversially losing out on an 8th World Championship in 2021 was a complete fiasco, and since then, my heart has really gone out to him. I was also a huge Schumacher fan, so Ferrari has always been close to my heart. It’ll be interesting to see how the season unfolds."

A Passion For Cars

“I was the first guy in India to get the Maserati Levante! I bought it on an absolute whim while shooting Mubarakan. Maserati was known for sedans and sports cars, and this was their first SUV—I had to have it. That said, my dream cars have always been ones from the '80s—cars I grew up admiring. The Ferrari Testarossa was my all-time favourite. I had a huge poster of it on my wall as a kid. And then Bad Boys made me obsessed with the yellow 911; my ultimate dream car would be a retro Porsche 911—an ’80s model that I could restore and customise. When you talk about cars, it’s about nostalgia and memories. I do appreciate modern luxury cars—Aston Martins, Bentleys, all of them. But if I had to pick one, it would be the Aston Martin Vanquish. I know it’s not Italian, but I absolutely love it.”

Geeking Out On Watches

“I don’t like to talk too much about watches because once you post them on Instagram, the conversation shifts to price rather than craftsmanship. A watch is one of the few accessories that men can really personalise. Watches also age beautifully—you can pass them down, and they come back into fashion. “Right now, we’re seeing a resurgence of classics, with skeleton dials like on the Cartier Santos and heritage-inspired pieces making a strong comeback. You also have brands like Richard Mille and Patek Philippe that are in a league of their own, but I think a watch should resonate with you personally. That’s the true charm of collecting timepieces. “I have a couple of really nice watches that might not be the most expensive, but they have a lot of sentimental value. When I was younger, Breitling was the cool watch to have, and my firstever watch was a Breitling that was gifted to me. The first watch I bought as an actor was the Chelsea Hublot—because I’m obsessed with Chelsea. That’s when my collecting started. My father has always been a watch enthusiast. Growing up, I remember Bulgari watches being really popular. My uncles Anil, Sanjay, and my dad all had different versions of the same Bulgari—one in all-gold, one in silver. That was my first real memory of luxury watches. Then came the Rolexes, the Tag Heuers, and the Breitlings. “For me, it’s always about picking up something I can afford at that moment. I don’t like to indulge beyond my means. Buying a watch, much like buying a painting every year, is a small way to benchmark my progress. It’s not about extravagance—it’s about curating a collection that means something to me. The Audemars Piguet [Royal Oak] is a new addition, and it’s a great daily wear piece.”

For Kapoor, the last year—though packed with two contrasting releases—was one he described as a work-life balance year, where he got to take a couple months and focus on family and friends. It's much of the same right now in Melbourne—half pleasure, half business. After some work and a short holiday, he says he'll be working on a sequel to 2005's classic comedy No Entry with his father Boney Kapoor. "The rest will fall into place in the next couple of months once I get back, sit down, and sort things out. But for now, I’m just looking forward to having a chilled, stable year ahead!"

Editor: Shivangi Lolayekar (@shivangil23)

Writer: Sharan Sanil (@sanilsideup)

Photographer: Rohan Shreshta, Aadesh Pawar

Hairstylists: Aalim Hakim (@aalimhakim), Bashir Sayyed (@bashir.hair)

Make-up Artist: Vicky Banatkar (@vickybanatkar)

Styling: Rahul Vijay, Chandani Mehta

Location: Rohan Shreshta Studio

Artist Publicity: Jio Creative Labs (@jio_creative_labs)