The Privileged One!
Her claim to fame will always be the fact that she is Sridevi’s and Boney Kapoor’s daughter. With her sister still waiting in the wings, Janhvi seems to be trying to accelerate her career the best way she can. She has had only one full-fledged movie release – Dhadak, hence, the anticipation of her next after two long years has everyone waiting with bated breath to decide her fate. Though she was vastly appreciated in the Ghost Stories anthology where she did the Zoya Akhtar segment, her film, Gunjan Saxena – The Kargil Girl now holds the key. The film will release on Netflix shortly, owing to the pandemic. The excitement is obvious, but amidst the nepotism debate, the star kid releases are expected to take a
beating. What does Janhvi feel about the chaos that the industry is experiencing? What is her
take on nepotism? And most importantly, is she ready to face comparisons with her mother yet again? She shares her thoughts in a candid interview with Bollywood Insider.
As we all celebrate the Kargil Diwas, the trailer release of Gunjan Saxena was met with a lot of anticipation. What is your frame of mind like?
I am glad that the trailer has been appreciated. Initially we had wanted to release the film on Kargil Diwas, but due to the pandemic, the post production work has been delayed. We will now release the film on Independence Day. Since the trailer is the first impression the audience gets of the film, I was on tenterhooks. But all’s well.
As for the frame of mind I am in, well, I am quite a mess. These promotions are so different from anything that happened in Dhadak. Not that I remember very clearly, but this is all new.
Given the circumstances in which you promoted Dhadak, right after the demise of your mother Sridevi, it’s understandable that you don’t remember much of it…
It is all a haze. A lot of people who I met during that time look at me today like I am a whole new person. The fact is that we were all grieving; all those days I didn’t know what to do or even who I was, anymore. A lot of people thought that I was very distant and pretty snobbish. I didn’t realize that it
was the first time these people were interacting with me; they were perhaps judging me, but I wasn’t in
that frame of mind to understand and respond appropriately. I was taking each day as it came and at the end of the day, it was like I survived! *sigh*
Today when I see their shocked faces, seeing me smile and being friendly, or basically be myself, I realized their confusion.
There was a lot of talk about the prep you did for Gunjan Saxena; tell me a little about it.
I have been working on two films over the past year and I assure you, everything that I could do in the craft of acting I have done for these two films. I have given my everything, sold my soul if I may say so, to get the act correct. When Dhadak released, I got mixed reviews. There were some who praised me to the skies and others who thought I was just about alright. However, when I saw myself, I saw only flaws. I didn’t think I sounded good; I felt I didn’t dance well. I even felt that I didn’t act properly; so I decided
I didn’t want to look so unprepared again. Gunjan Saxena was obviously physically demanding. I needed
to know the basics of flying a plane. To recreate something as
historic as Gunjan’s role in the Kargil War, I needed to look confident in aviation skills. It took me a while, but it is an experience I will never forget. I did extensive meetings with Gunjan; I might have asked her anything and everything about her life. But this sort of prep I will do for each and every film of mine. I want to be equipped with everything I might need for a role.
The hard work surely paid off because the real Gunjan Saxena is all praise for Sharan Sharma (the director of the film) and you!
It is reassuring to hear that, because all I know is that I want to act. Movies are me; I am movies. I cannot do anything else. And I have tried my level best to not leave any stone unturned for this role; so any appreciation is like oxygen to my lungs.
But appreciation might not always come! In the current scenario, a person needs to be equipped from within. What do you think are the essentials for an actor?
Willpower and the strength to keep going on, irrespective of what people say, is perhaps the most important aspect of an actor’s career. The actual definition of being a public figure is that you are loved publicly and even hated publicly. Sometimes the comments that come can really shake you up. I am certain a regular girl doesn’t have to read such stuff about herself. So yes, you have to be
thick-skinned.
Have you developed a thick skin, yet?
Perhaps about certain things, but maybe I have just become better at pretending that it doesn’t affect me. I am working more on trying to feign ignorance about it rather than be thick-skinned. The ironic thing about me is that it was my sensitivity that actually worried my mother a lot. She was against the idea of me becoming an actor for the simple reason that she didn’t think I could handle the comparisons and the criticisms that come to an actor. Some people can be downright mean and she knew that, because she started working at a very young age. It is not easy to keep your composure when someone is lashing
out at you and sticking a camera in your face at the same time.
Coming from a protected family like mine, my parents thought that I will break under pressure. But I have always felt that this sensitivity is my greatest strength. Yes, I am vulnerable. I feel exposed to the pain of the characters I play. I live them to some extent, I believe them, I let what hurts them hurt me and so on. I wear those bruises, because this transparency between me and my characters is what will make my acting relatable to the audience. I don’t want to give that up for anything.
Exposing yourself to your character is a lot different than being defenseless in front of criticisms…
True, but you cannot be selectively sensitive. You are either sensitive or you are not. That is why I would much rather stay the same vulnerable person I am, so I can be honest to my craft.
As much as you work on your craft, you are also always in the gym….
I don’t miss it. Now, of course, the workouts have changed considerably, but I have to work out and see a movie every day. I cannot do without either. It might seem boring to others, but that’s what I do through the day; diction class, dance rehearsals, gym and movies. And believe me, I don’t think I am boring at all, I am just driven. I want to be my best, do my best and eventually, be the best.
The year so far has been exhaustingly unpredictable; what are you looking forward to?
Yes, it has been unpredictable, but that’s life. You can never know what’s going to happen. I have realized one thing; that you cannot control things around, but you can watch yourself, your moves, your work – that’s exactly what I hope to do in the latter half of this disastrous year.I was to have three releases this year, post Gunjan Saxena there was to be Rooh Afza which is now called Roohi Afzana where I play
a double role. It is a horror comedy, a genre still new to Bollywood. Working with the likes of Rajkummar Rao and Varun Sharma has been so exciting, but it is all put on hold due to Covid-19. We have just resumed working on it. The same goes for Dostana sequel.
You missed mentioning the Dharma extravaganza Takht...
When I was told that I will be in it, I started seeing Mughal-e-Azam and Umrao Jaan on repeat for days; I just wanted to get their body language right inside of me. However, it is a long way to the release of this film. I am, however, looking forward to shooting for it. Let’s see how and when that does happen.
People are getting almost violent now accusing Bollywood of nepotism. In these troubled times, every star kid is threatened. Do you feel worried?
I know I am privileged, but I am not ungrateful. I know the weight of the legacy I carry. I won’t for once take what I have for granted. I have always said there might be someone better than me, but I can assure you there can be none more hard-working than me. That’s something my mother has imbibed in me, and I won’t be letting that go EVER.
