“Baahubali served as a wakeup call to our industry that we need to respect content” – Arjun Kapoor : Bollywood News

Do you feel Baahubali has become a benchmark for all future blockbusters?
Very honestly, as an Indian I feel very proud of Baahubali. Our film is not even one percent of Baahubali. Baahubali has re-invented the whole idiom of entertainment. It’s a nationwide celebration, and I am proud to be part of it. In any case no film can be compared with Baahubali. This is history.

“Baahubali served as a wakeup call to our industry that we need to respect content” – Arjun Kapoor

You sounded awed?
I am lucky to be around when Baahubali has come. I had just heard of Sholay and was too young to understand the impact of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. Baahubali is a historic happening and I feel privileged to witness it first hand.

So no jitters?
None at all. When a film succeeds like Baahubali it revitalizes the entire entertainment industry. It also serves as a wakeup call to our industry that we need to respect content.
The film industry should look at the success of Baahubali positively and tell stories that worth telling.

But I am sure someone in Mumbai is planning a Bollywood styled Baahubali?
I don’t think our industry works that way anymore. The herd mentality is not in favour anymore. Look at the kind of dedication and hard work that’s gone into Baahubali. It’s a lesson for all of us.

Would you be willing to surrender to a role for five years like Prabhas did?
Full credit to Prabhas and Rana Daggubatti for that kind of dedication. It takes a lot of faith and conviction in the director to keep going for five years on one project. Hypothetically it would be the simplest thing in the world for me to say; yes I would dedicate that kind of time and energy to one film, now that it’s been done. If you asked a year back I’d have said no. But now seeing the end-result I’d definitely consider giving that kind of time to film, if it’s as fabulous as Baahubali.