Arjun Recommends. And your watchlist just got better.
Arjun Kapoor gets trolled a lot. And trolling is never okay. It’s cruel, pointless, and says more about the trolls than the target. However, if we only talk about the criticism around his acting, well, it’s not entirely pointless. Barring a few performances, Arjun hasn’t exactly blown us away on screen. Also, his film choices haven’t helped either, painting a certain image of him that’s stuck in people’s minds. Having said that, the fun part is that most of us don’t know the real Arjun Kapoor. Off camera, he is nothing like the guy we assume he is. Arjun is a serious film geek, and no, not the kind who calls 'Laapataa Ladies' an underrated gem or Christopher Nolan the greatest filmmaker of all time. This man literally lives and breathes cinema. He is the guy who’d happily cancel plans just to stay in and binge-watch films, docs, and web series. In his words, “I’d any day stay home and discover incredible cinema.” In fact, his love for storytelling led him to start Arjun Recommends, a digital series where he shares his personal watchlist.
So, on his birthday, we take a look at some of the actor's (read cinephile's) favorite films. Make sure to check them out.
In The Longest Interview Season 3, Arjun described David Fincher’s 'Se7en' as “a punch to the soul.” He was struck by the weight of Brad Pitt’s emotionally raw performance and obviously the film’s haunting atmosphere. Arjun said, “It’s not just a movie; it’s a haunting riddle,” and the silence between scenes taught him that “suspense is in the pauses.”
I approve of Se7en. pic.twitter.com/x2U9gt40HE
— 𝐊𝐀𝐒𝐇 (@KASHope25) June 13, 2025
During a Bollywood Hungama interview, Arjun called 'Fight Club' “a rebellion in reels", praising its anarchic, thought-provoking energy and Edward Norton’s unraveling everyman. “It’s like a wake-up call for your brain,” he said in that interview. 'Fight Club' taught him that a story can shock, unsettle, and challenge the viewer, and sometimes that’s exactly what cinema should do.
Fight Club pic.twitter.com/7ri8fBL2mn
— Moriarty (@asa_nisi__masa) June 9, 2025
On Chalchitra Talks, Arjun spoke about Scorsese’s 'The Departed', saying it's like “a chess match where everyone’s a liar.” He praised the almost electric tension between DiCaprio and Damon and said, “Scorsese makes every frame crackle.” The experience taught him how to keep an audience guessing and that loyalty can be the most dangerous emotion on screen.
Credit: Warner Bros. Entertainment
Also in the Bollywood Hungama interview, Arjun spoke of Bong Joon-ho’s 'Memories of Murder' as “a slow burn that scorches.” This Korean gem, he noted, felt disturbingly real, “so real it hurts.” For him, it exemplifies how restraint and subtle storytelling can deliver emotional power stronger than any action-packed sequence.
Credit: Madman Films
Back in The Longest Interview series, Arjun described 'Amélie' as “a burst of joy in every frame.” He was captivated by its playful color palette and Audrey Tautou’s whimsical charm. In his words, “It’s like a love letter to life." And it reminded him that cinema’s greatest gift is rediscovering wonder in small moments.
Credit: Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers
In an emotional segment on Chalchitra Talks, Arjun described Park Chan-wook’s 'Oldboy' as “a gut-wrenching ride you can’t unsee.” He praised its daring twists and bold storytelling liberties, saying, “It taught me to never play safe with stories." 'Oldboy' is his example of how brave, uncomfortable cinema can leave a permanent mark.
Credit: NEON
In an earlier discussion on The Insider’s Watchlist, Arjun called Sergio Leone’s Western “a showdown that defines cool.” He admired the iconic duel between Eastwood’s steel-eyed gaze and Morricone’s unforgettable score. “Leone showed me how to make every moment epic,” Arjun said. Watching this classic, he learned how pacing and atmosphere can transform a film into a legend.
Credit: Amazon MGM Studios
