No half measures

Manpriya Singh 

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A great deal of conjecture already surrounds Half Girlfriend. What could it mean? A relationship, ‘in-between’, more than friends but less than a couple or a clear call on staying away from commitment! 

Before the movie can be out and offer some plausible explanations, there’s Arjun Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor giving us their take on the soon to be out Half Girlfriend. “When the two of you are alone and you feel a special connect, but when you introduce the other person in public...you say he or she is a friend,” Arjun Kapoor is comfortable with relationship questions being hurled at him, while in Chandigarh. Joining him is the co-star Shraddha Kapoor, “It’s so cold here,” she gestures as she enters the cinema hall. “We are not encouraging such relationships; nor is the film a Friends With Benefits, but sometimes such are the circumstances in life that you don’t enter these relationships with choice.” 

The not-so-better half

While the film’s trailer shows Arjun, a non-English speaking Bihari boy, ask the object of his interest, What did she mean by Half Girlfriend?...he is more than ready to share an anecdote from his personal experience when he must be 18. “I was introduced to her through an extended circle of friends. I was waiting just for the right moment to propose. Her birthday was coming and there couldn’t have been a better time. Just the day I chose, I see her walk in with a man whom I thought to be her brother; only he turned out to be her boyfriend.” Err…was that the end of life? He laughs, “I realised the value of all the sad Hindi songs.”

As for Shraddha Kapoor, “Back in school, in Class VI or something, I had a huge crush. I wanted to be his girlfriend. I used to give him blank calls as well, but let alone half I couldn’t even be his quarter girlfriend.”  

The book, film & beyond

The film, an adaptation of Chetan Bhagat’s novel and directed by Mohit Suri, explores the status of today’s relationships. It might be Arjun’s second film based on a Chetan Bhagat novel, but he recently admitted to never having read the author. “We read the script. Also we were told not to read the book because you obviously can’t fit in everything.” The lead pair’s camaraderie is hard to miss. While Arjun vouches for the perfectionist Shraddha, “I had heard Varun Dhawan say how she is always ready for one more take to make the scene better, but I got to know that when I worked with her.” Shraddha on the other hand, swears by his PJs. 

Chandigarh is second home

After winding up the current project, Shraddha Kapoor has Haseena Parker’s biopic lined up and is, “pretty excited about starting the shoot for Saina Nehwal.” Arjun is looking forward to Mubarakan with his uncle Anil.  Ask him anything about the project and he begins with City Beautiful. “Chandigarh is like second home. We were here during the best weather — November and December.  The trailer will be out in two months and you will be able to ask me questions better after that.” There is one thing he would like to mention though. “I was happy to tie the turban and learnt so much about it. There is so much of meaning and pride behind the daily act of tying a turban.” And of course uncle Anil, “Anil chacha makes everything a joy ride.” Hope to see him at the next promotions, preferably in a turban!

manpriya@tribunemail.com