When Arjun Tanwar was born, his father, mesmerised by the movie Karan Arjun, named him after a character from the film. That perhaps says everything about the world he grew up in. A true Bollywood buff, Arjun spent his childhood listening to on-set stories as his father worked as a Steadicam operator on films like Chak De! India, Sultan and Bajrangi Bhaijaan. Inspired early, Arjun trained in acting, dancing and singing. He appeared in the Diljit Dosanjh-starrer Detective Sherdil, directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, and also performed in Saregama’s stage musical adaptation of Disco Dancer. His debut single Banjare even earned praise from Vicky Kaushal and Hrithik Roshan. Excerpts from an engaging interview with the performer whose star is definitely on the rise.
Ali Abbas Zafar apparently wrote the role of Purvak in Detective Sherdil keeping you in mind.
The fact that Ali Abbas Zafar sir wrote the role keeping me in mind after seeing my audition tapes meant a lot and pushed me to work even harder. Working alongside actors like Diljit Dosanjh, Boman Irani and Ratna Pathak Shah was an incredible learning experience. While interacting during the filming, Diljit paaji told me, “Maine kaha tha na paaji, aap aacha karoge life mein,” and hearing that from someone I admire was very special.
You even hosted a special screening of the film for specially abled children where you communicated with them in sign language. What did that experience teach you about the emotional power of cinema?
That experience was incredibly humbling for me. Seeing the way those children connected with the character and the story was very moving. It reminded me that cinema has the ability to go beyond language and connect with people emotionally. As performers, we sometimes forget how powerful that connection can be, and that day really reminded me of this fact.
Your journey with Saregama’s stage musical adaptation of Disco Dancer seems like a huge turning point. Performing 20 shows across three countries is no small feat.
Performing in the musical pushed me to sing live while dancing and acting on stage. The training was intense because it required stamina, breath control and constant rehearsal. But the most special part was performing in front of a live audience every night. The moment you step on stage and feel that energy from the crowd, something incredible happens. It pushes you to give even more. Those shows taught me how powerful that connection between performer and audience can be.
Your first single Banjare, directed by Punit Pathak, crossed over 10 million views.
Banjare was special because it allowed me to bring together everything I love as a performer. It wasn’t just about appearing in a music video; it was about storytelling through music, dance and emotion. The response the song received was encouraging because it showed me that audiences connect with that energy. Moments like these remind me why I enjoy being an entertainer. Because when music, performance and storytelling come together, it creates something people can truly feel.
When celebs like Hrithik Roshan and Vicky Kaushal publicly appreciated the song, what was your reaction?
I was humbled. It felt incredibly encouraging. I hope to work with Vicky sir and Hrithik sir someday. They have both always been people I have looked up to for their dedication to performance, and seeing them appreciate Banjare meant a lot to me.
You were invited to represent India at the Cannes Film Festival 2024 and performed there.
Growing up, Cannes was something I had seen from afar. It was always a dream to be a part of it, so when I got the chance to represent India at this iconic global event, it was an incredible honour. Just before my performance, I remember closing my eyes and thinking about the years of practice, hard work and patience that brought me here.
You’ve often described yourself not just as an actor or dancer but as a full-fledged performer.
Music and films are my outlets, but the real magic happens in the practice. That’s where I spend time repeating movements, refining vocals and understanding emotion so that every element of performance feels balanced. But the biggest difference is when that same performance moves from practice to stage. When you’re no longer performing in front of a mirror or a mic but in front of an audience, the energy changes completely. That exchange with the audience is what truly makes me come alive as a performer.
From listening to your journey, it’s clear that you don’t just want success, you want to be remembered.
There are certain film roles, dance performances and songs that continue to be discussed long after they first appear on screen. People analyse them, write about them, create video essays and revisit them years later because those moments left a real impact. I aspire to be a part of that kind of conversation.The dream isn’t just about fame, it’s about creating a legacy that stays with people and continues to inspire discussion even years later.
Tell us something about your future plans.
This year has been a bit crazy in the best way! Opening at UN40, Bengaluru’s biggest music festival of the year, which was headlined by Himesh Reshammiya and Talwiinder, was unreal! And now everything’s moving at once, stepping into a lead role for the first time in an upcoming Saregama film alongside Viraj Ghelani, and getting on the road with Abhijeet Bhattacharya for a tour where my set brings acting, dance and music together into one experience, which is honestly the most exciting part!
Also Read: Exclusive | Arjun Tanwar on Detective Sherdil, Learning from Diljit Dosanjh & Chemistry With Banita
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