For Arjan Bajwa life is not just about one philosophy, rather an amalgamation of many perspectives that helps you understand the broader meaning of life, which he tries to portray with every new character he plays on screen. As a firm believer of destiny, he believes that when you are destined to do something, the universe creates all the possible paths or means for you to fulfill your destiny. In a conversation with TMM, he talks about his work and life philosophy and his only expectation from 2021.
Lockdown has been equally painful to everyone. How are you keeping yourself calm?
I wouldn’t say that lockdown has been painful but the cause which has created the havoc – the pandemic, the COVID-19 virus, that’s been more painful. Everybody is going through a miserable time with regards to their health and the health of their loved ones. But in all of this negativity which the pandemic had brought about, we need to have a positive approach and that is what I am doing. I am trying to be calm, productive, and take better care of myself and my loved ones, and indulge in everything that makes me happy, whether it’s fitness, reading, or even keeping my personal space neat and hygienic.
You recently posted about your association with Find A Bed, an initiative by iimunofficial. Do you think social media (especially Instagram) has been one of the biggest boons in this time of crisis? What do you have to say about the misleading forwards?
Yes, social media and apps like Instagram have been very influential in creating a lot of awareness in these times. It has been helpful in many ways for people to cope up with a lot of difficult situations. Social media does surely have a downside, for example, a section of people who are giving out half information, half baked university and self-made scholars spreading false information and misguiding people thereby creating panic, all that should be completely stopped and should be kept in check as I feel that is doing more damage than the actual situation we are in. Also, we all need to be socially responsible in this time of global crisis.
As an actor, what is your life philosophy?
As an actor, you can’t just follow one philosophy of life because you are a human being and at the same time you are in a profession that is in the public eye. So professionally and personally if you ask me to summarize things, I would say there is nothing bigger than destiny. I am a firm believer in destiny because when you are destined to do something, it creates all the possible paths or means for you to fulfill your destiny. But while I say that, I do believe in hard work and where there is a will there is a way. Your hard work is the most important thing and that should be the crux of who you are. I believe in doing whatever is there in my capacity, as a human being to put in my 100%, and after that destiny takes over and it gives you the fruits of your hard work.
Your Instagram bio says Martial Art Student and Hobby Pilot. Tell us a bit about your two passions.
Martial Art has always been a part of my life, right from my childhood. I started practicing Taekwondo when I was in school and my passion for it has never dwindled. I am a black belt in Taekwondo and I gave my exam years ago. I still try and find as much time as I can to practice and follow it. So yes, Martial Art is a very important part of my life and I really enjoy practicing it. When it comes to flying, let me tell you I always wanted to become a pilot. The acting was not on the cards for me. Being a pilot and flying an aircraft has been the biggest passion of my life and it still is. I am never going to give up that passion. Now since I can’t practice it as a profession, I am taking it as my first hobby. Whenever I get the chance to go to a flying school, I practice my flying and it’s exhilarating. I am trying to find time from my schedule which allows me a break of 2 months so that I can enroll myself into a flying school & get a private pilot license! This pandemic has stalled that for me, but I haven’t given up the dream and will surely be a certified private pilot soon, touch wood!
As far as fitness is concerned, what importance it holds in your life, and how do you create a balance between your food habits and fitness.
Fitness has always been a part of my life. My father was a university athlete during his college days back in Delhi. Hence, he made sure that we grew up with the thought that more than anything in the world, the priority should always be fitness – physical and mental both. I have ways been exercising, weight training, practicing various kinds of physical transformational processes. As I am a Punjabi, I’m a hardcore foodie and literally love all cuisines. The good part is that in my food, there is a lesser intake of salt and spices and my appetite is less too. There are days when I cheat, but then I make sure I burn it out.
You were appreciated for your character in Kabir Singh. When it comes to selecting scripts, what is your driving force?
While selecting any script, it is just not any one aspect of the script that you look at, it’s a complete package. The film is just not only about what is being shot, it is about what goes on before the film is being made. While selecting the script, we have to keep everything in mind and all the topics like who is directing it, producing it, and the co-stars have to be kept in mind. What kind of exhibition it is going to get when you are essaying your role, how does the role define the whole story, is the role the driving force of the story, and so on.
Tell us more about your upcoming projects?
Currently, I am shooting a series with Shruti Hassan which is going to release on Amazon Prime India. The series shooting schedules are about to end and we are looking forward to a good release this year! Apart from that, there are a lot of projects in the pipeline, I am reading scripts, in touch with many producers, directors, talking to people and it’s exciting.
If you have to wish for one thing in 2021, what would it be and why?
A wish for 2021 would be that all the citizens and human beings in the world win the fight against Covid-19. The world should be set free from all the things we suffered through this pandemic & I hope we can live freely the way we used to. I wish and hope that the whole world gets overcomes this difficulty and that nature has mercy on us and allows everyone to live freely once again.
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