Right from replacing Saawariya in several theatres to going from two to five shows a day at mutliplexes, this fresh love story is a success. And Bangalore has yet again made its dutiful contribution.

   Kareena’s secret love angle in Anshuman has been played by none other than Bangalore boy Tarun Arora. A year ago, the same model-turned-actor had packed bags and bid goodbye to Bollywood, disheartened by the treatment of his movies Hawas and Sheen. Taken a vow never to do mediocre cinema, Tarun is now basking in success of JWM.

   Metrolife caught up with the Bangalorean on his big hit, superstar colleagues and future plans.
With JWM, you are beaming now!

I’m so happy to be a part of a successful movie like JWM.  I met Saif (Ali Khan) in Delhi recently during a fashion show. He came up to me and said, ‘You are that Anshuman guy from the film, right? You were really good.’
Subhash Ghai and Abbas Mastan complimented me. They said they were not expecting much from me but were surprised with my performance. I have received a great homecoming in Bangalore, as people here are spotting me as Anshuman.

How did you bag the role of Anshuman?
I had bid goodbye to Bollywood a year ago. But my photographs were still floating in Mumbai and Imtiaz saw them. However, he was unsure of calling a guy from Bangalore. Imtiaz wanted Abhay Deol as Anshuman since they worked together in Socha Na Tha but didn’t want to take him as the second lead. He was looking at a surprise element and I got the role. This is something that I got to know only now (laughs). I had seen Socha Na Tha. So, here was sensible cinema that I wanted to be part of. Whether I get noticed or not was not my criteria.
How was it working with a young film-maker like Imtiaz?

Superb! Imtiaz extracted the best out of me. Sometimes I would get over-emotional and Imtiaz would tone me down.

Kareena is a superstar and anyone could get nervous around her. But Imtiaz helped me get over the awe by repeatedly saying, ‘We all are humans.’

And working with Shahid and Kareena?
Shahid has been a sweet old friend. We’ve known each other from our struggling times. With Kareena, I was initially a bit uncomfortable. There were times when I would mumble my dialogues and I could see her face expression change. But that changed soon. In fact, I was told that when Kareena saw the trials of JWM, she said I was the best performer.

Did you see their relationship falling apart during the making of JWM?
Shahid and Kareena were totally into each other during the shooting. But again, I was too involved with my character and didn’t spend much time with them.

I had not worked with them earlier. So, I will not be able to comment if their relationship was fading.
You returned to Bangalore last year, disillusioned by the big bad world of Bollywood. Has JWM changed your stance?

The industry is suddenly welcoming me with bigger smiles. I have proved that models can act. But I am not moving to Mumbai. I will be in Bangalore working on my new restaurant, White Beach (working title). It will be launched this New Year’s Eve.

Is marriage on the cards?
I am still very much seeing Anjala Zaveri. We should marry next year.

What next?
I am looking at several scripts but I am choosy. I would like to do one quality film rather than hundred mediocre ones. I wish I had a launch like Saawariya. But I like the battle of being a nobody.