Filmmaker Boney Kapoor's son Arjun, whose debut film "Ishaqzaade" has received acclaim from audiences and critics alike, believes that a star surname is not the criteria for success.

"You are as good as what you do in front of the camera. Nothing else matters, your surname, from where you come or where you will go ... The audience is very intelligent. It gauges you and knows if they want to see you or not," the 26-year-old said at an event here Friday.

Arjun made his point by citing "Band Baaja Baaraat" actor Ranveer Singh's example.

"Ranveer (Singh) is a prime example of that. Somebody like him came out of nowhere. It just shows the audience wants to see good films and good work. Nothing else matters eventually," he said.

Arjun's debut film "Ishaqzaade" also featured Parineeti Chopra, actress Priyanka Chopra's cousin sister.