Arjun an actor now courtesy Salman Khan

Zeenews Bureau Mumbai: Producer Boney Kapoor’s son Arjun, who has already grabbed eyeballs with his performance in yet-to-be-released ‘Ishaqzaade’, is touted to be the “next happening” thing in the Tinsel Town. And do you know who helped Arjun find the actor in him? Well, it’s none other than Salman Khan. The ‘Dabangg’ Khan discovered the artist in him and motivated him to shed his flab and tone his body. Talking to a daily, a source said, “Arjun always wanted to become a director. Salman Khan kept observing Arjun on the sets of the 2009 hit ‘Wanted’, in which he was an assistant producer. Salman strongly felt that he saw an actor in Arjun Kapoor. He sat down with Arjun and said he shouldn’t waste more time learning direction and production, and should work towards becoming an actor.” “Salman helped the boy lose weight and discover the actor within him. Then, he personally taught him and guided him. In fact, his diet, his exercise routine and everything was monitored by Khan himself,” added the source. Apparently this star kid weighed around 140 kilos. Arjun took Salman’s advice and worked hard on his body and now weighs 72 kilos. “Arjun considers Salman his mentor,” said the source.