On Naxal issue: Arjun Rampal feels violence is not the answer

Mumbai: Actor Arjun Rampal, who essays the role of a police officer in Prakash Jha`s `Chakravyuh` based on the issue of Naxals, says he was not much aware about the movement of the outlaws till he started shooting for the film.

The 39-year-old actor said that violence is not the solution. "I was not that aware about how organised they (Naxals) are, how strongly it is funded, how rapidly it has come into our country, and what a big war it really is. My character in the film believes that if the system stops working then you don`t have to destroy it but instead repair it," Arjun told reporters at the unveiling of the first look of `Chakravyuh`. "By violence, atrocities no one is going to get anything. And that is what the character believes and that is what I also believe. I don`t think that violence is really the answer," he said. While, shooting for this film Arjun said that he was saddened to see the plight of people living in the interiors. "I have gone and visited the interiors of India where we have shot and you see the way the villagers are living, it is so sad and depressing. They don`t have water, medicine, hospitals and roads...If we can distribute it well and send it there, it will be great," the actor said. "This movie is very important for every Indian to see as it is a war that you cannot escape. And every Indian needs to be aware of this. We hope that we all can together, find a solution which will be the right solution," he added. Arjun will be seen sporting a moustache for his role of a courageous cop in `Chakravyuh`. "I play a police officer his name is SP Adil Khan, he is a third generation cop. His family has been in police. He is very righteous, good and super fit. But again the character goes through dilemma..It is like a guy who wants to do his job but finds himself stuck in a `Chakravyuh`," Arjun said. "It is about how a police officer, who wants to do good work can`t do it," he said. This is the second time Arjun has teamed up with director Prakash Jha, after `Rajneeti` and the actor is all praise for the filmmaker. "This is my second film with Prakash. He is a good friend. When I do a film with him, there is always so much to learn as he always picks up topical subjects, realistic situation. I think you come out more enriched as an actor. Playing the character of Adil Khan has helped me learn more about the movement of Naxals," Arjun said. "When you work with him, the best part is he brings a lot of material on board, lot of information, we do readings, we also discuss why this issue. We do lot of rehearsals and reading to understand the vision of Prakash Jha," he added. The film also starring Abhay Deol, Manoj Bajpayee, Om Puri, Esha Gupta, Anjali Patil, Kabir Bedi, releases on October 24. PTI