Arjun Rampal: Nail Polish is refreshing, completely different and necessary

The trailer of ZEE5’s Nail Polish sees Arjun Rampal as Sid Jaisingh, a excessive profile defence lawyer who’s promised a Rajya Sabha seat if he wins the case of Veer Singh, performed by Manav Kaul. The movie additionally options Anand Tiwari taking part in the general public prosecutor Amit Kumar.
In an unique dialog with indianexpress.com, Arjun Rampal mentioned Nail Polish is in contrast to any Bollywood courtroom drama viewers has seen. He calls the movie “refreshing, different and important.”
Here are excerpts from the dialog:
How does the title Nail Polish justify the theme of the movie?
That was precisely my query to our director Bugs Bhargava Krishna. I used to be intrigued to know why he titled a courtroom drama as Nail Polish. But he insisted on me studying the script. When I began studying the script, it was laborious for me to place it down. When I discovered why he named the collection as Nail Polish, I had an enormous smile on my face. I hope the viewers can even really feel the identical once they uncover why the movie has been titled Nail Polish.
Courtroom dramas aren’t new to Bollywood. How is Nail Polish completely different?
Courtroom dramas can turn into loud and pretend. For me, what made me say sure to the script was the case. It is so difficult. There are so many layers to the script. In every step, you uncover the reality. But as and once you really feel you might be near cracking the case, one thing occurs, and the case turns topsy-turvy. For me, the movie was refreshing, completely different and necessary.
Did you are taking any reference for the character of the lawyer that you simply play?
When we had been within the dialogue section of the movie, I used to be instructed that I’m alleged to defend Manav Kaul’s character who has killed 38 kids. My first response was – No method! But then, attorneys are very completely different. For them, the consumer is harmless till confirmed responsible. So, I made a decision to not know the climax of the movie. I interacted with a number of attorneys to know how they deal with such circumstances.
And so far as the mannerism or commentary goes, throughout my childhood, I used to go to my maternal uncle Advocate Surender Singh and his father Rajender Singh’s home. I had seen their readability, precision and the way in which they carry themselves. So, I used that commentary to play my half.
You had been one of many first actors to get again on the units amid the pandemic. How was it to be taking pictures whereas the world was/remains to be adjusting to the brand new regular?
It was extraordinarily difficult as a result of I’ve a child at residence. When I used to be supplied the movie, I instantly mentioned no. But after I learn the script, the artiste in me acquired grasping, and I didn’t need the chance to go away.
On the units, we took all type of precautionary measures. This was the primary time after I didn’t know the way my crew appeared like as a result of all of them wore a masks. But one factor that I’ll always remember was their eyes which had been stuffed with gratitude to be again at work. You may see everybody has been via rather a lot. I believe that’s one thing I can not neglect.
Your co-stars had been additionally examined optimistic. Was that scary?
When Manav and Anand examined optimistic for COVID, the taking pictures was paused for some time. However, everybody was again on the units with stricter security measures and accomplished the movie. It was unbelievable to see that everybody was involved and cooperative. The makers gave them (Manav and Anand) three weeks to get well.
I needed to shoot for an additional movie referred to as Penthouse for Netflix. I requested them to shift it for a month as a result of Nail Polish had acquired delayed by three weeks. And the makers of Penthouse had been cooperative. So, the brand new regular is all about being thoughtful and delicate about issues which aren’t in our management, and assist one another via that.
You mentioned earlier that this challenge made everybody push their limits. If you can elaborate on how?
Nail Polish is such a effectively outlined and detailed script with well-etched characters that if everybody was not on the high of their sport, you felt you might be type of dishonest. The script made us push our limits.

How was it working with Manav Kaul and Anand Tiwari?
I believe Manav Kaul’s character is likely one of the most tough characters that I’ve ever learn, however he pulls it off with such ease, which is phenomenal. Anand Tiwari is tremendous energetic. When the digital camera is on, he turns into a unique particular person altogether. Everyone had gone via a course of with their characters. Everyone had come on the units with their finest sport.
We did a number of readings. We all gave ideas on easy methods to higher the script or make it extra intriguing. Writers and Bugs had been very understanding. They additionally included modifications within the script. So, he had written like 20 variations of the script until the time the movie went on flooring.
On the units, we behaved like we’re speaking to one another’s characters. I used to be speaking to Vir and never Manav. So, that’s the way it was shot. So, I imagine if the movie has come out even 80% of what we’ve got accomplished, Nail Polish might be within the high 5 films of everybody’s profession.
Did you anticipate the expansion of OTT platforms?
OTT was going to return and develop to the extent it has due to the liberty it affords. About 10 years in the past, West referred to as OTT the golden period for writers. We are hitting that section now. You will see new writers, administrators and abilities arising, and previous individuals coming again reinvented and placing out tales, which earlier they didn’t have a possibility to discover. The pandemic has given OTT nice consideration, and now the viewers has a style of nice content material, which may impression the type of movies that they need to see. It is a good medium. It will solely assist us pull up our socks and take up tougher characters.
Looking again at 2020, what are the issues you might be grateful for?
I’m grateful for each single day of being alive and having such a fantastic household. I’m additionally grateful to have the ability to do movies with people who find themselves simply extraordinary human beings, and they’ll all the time be with me.

What did you study your self in the course of the lockdown?
It has been an enormous studying expertise the place you realised how insignificant you might be within the bigger scheme of issues. In the lockdown, I realised that how we’ve got the need or want of getting an increasing number of however we will survive with little or no. Like how they are saying, ‘Bhook ki keemat hoti hai, roti ki nahi’.
I noticed the planet therapeutic. In my 25 years of being in Mumbai, I by no means noticed a blue, clear sky. Mumbai was by no means so quieter. So, we have to focus and contribute extra to that.
On the opposite hand, I by no means noticed such unhappiness by way of how many individuals acquired uprooted and their lives had been uprooted. Its been a difficult time, however we have to be taught and never repeat the errors that we made up to now that acquired us to this. We want to guard earth and each dwelling creature on it. That’s been my studying. The studying of most giving and fewer of receiving.
How does 2021 seem like on the work entrance? What can followers anticipate from you?
I’ve Nail Polish in January. I’ve an motion movie lined up, which might be introduced in January. I’ve completed Netflix’s Penthouse. It is an Abbas-Mustan directorial. It will come out possibly in March or April. I’ve a movie with Aparna Sen referred to as The Rapist. It stars Konkona Sen. I wanting ahead to that. I even have a Telugu launch.