Why Salman Khan’s rooting for Arjun Kapoor

Newbie Arjun Kapoor who will be seen making his debut in Ishaqzaade seems to be garnering a lot of support already, more so from actor Salman Khan. In fact, the Internet's abuzz with Salman and his family and friends all rooting for the newcomer.

But for all those who thought that the reason behind it is the Khan’s kid sister Arpita, who was apparently dating Arjun some time back, well there’s more.  According to sources, the actor is being heavily backed and supported by Salman, because it was the star who, apparently got Arjun to become an actor in the first place. Very much like actor Sonakshi Sinha, who left designing and turned actor on Salman’s insistence. Though Salman’s not launching Arjun, it was on his insistence that Boney Kapoor’s son actually considered acting.

A source close to the newbie reveals that Arjun was actually keen to become a director and was actively assisting several filmmakers as the assistant director on films including Kal Ho Na Ho. “Back then, he weighed more than 140 kgs and had no inclination of turning an actor at all. But while he was assisting Prabhudeva on Wanted, Salman told him that he had the potential to become an actor and it was on his insistence that he decided to lose weight and give it a shot,” says the source. “On the sets of Wanted, Salman kept observing Arjun minutely. And while Arjun was very good at what he was doing, Salman strongly felt that he saw an actor in him. Salman sat Arjun down and said he shouldn’t waste more time learning direction and production and should work towards becoming an actor,” confirms a source close to the star. 

“Salman totally took him under his wing, keeping a close tab on the actor’s progress and guided him through the transformation, right from losing weight to grooming as an actor,” adds the source.

Incidentally, both the mentor and the protégée will be seen in Yash Chopra films this year. While Arjun’s making a debut in their film Ishaqzaade, Salman too is working with the Chopras in Kabir Khan’s Ek Tha Tiger.