5 years, 5 movies: Shraddha Kapoor

Unlike many star kids Sharadda Kapoor was an unknown face in her formative years. Except her family and a few close friends nobody in the school and later knew her as daughter of a bollywood actor.

Then one day, she announced a bit shyly to her parents that she wanted to be an actor too like her father.

Shakti Kapoor said he would think about it. Mother Shivangi Kapoor discussed the idea with her sisters Padmini and Tejaswini Kolhapure.

After a few weeks when both the parents had contemplated on the idea individually and together, they informed Shivangi that she could pursue her dream provided she was willing to work hard for it.

Shraddha watched her father toil for decades and she was ready for the same. In no time the news become public and offers started pouring in. And Shraddha made her choices. In five years Shraddha had five releases and as she gets ready for her sixth release, ‘ABCD2’, Shraddha feels nostalgic.

When did you feel that you want to become an actor?

I think when I was a little girl and started watching my father’s movies, how I loved the madness of the movies. In school vacation mom and I travelled to dad’s shooting outdoors and while the adults shot in the heat, we kids played filmmaking in the shade. Vashu Bhagnani uncle’s son Jackie and David Uncle’s son Varun were always the heroes, I was always the heroine and Govinda uncle’s daughter Namrata was always the filmmaker.

How did your maushis (aunts) react when you signed your first film ‘Teen Patti’?

They were naturally very excited but also felt I was still too young to make a debut. Padmini maushi was really nervous for me because my co-star was to be Amitabh Bachchan. Their anxieties were understandable. Dad was stressed out too, but let me tell you that when one is on the sets and shooting there is no room for nervousness. Everybody does their best and camera waits for no one. I was happy I had started my career with an unconventional film.

Your second film ‘Love Ka The End’ was also an unconventional film?

Yes, the producer was convinced that the audience was ready for an audacious film from youngsters. And the brief was to enjoy my character and go for it. I think what worked was the spirit of the actors. Everybody believed in the message and that is why the audience enjoyed the film thoroughly.

But the dynamics changed with ‘Aashiqui 2’. In the movie you sang and also performed, did you expect the film to be such a mega hit?

I had watched ‘Aashiqui’ and was told what a super hit the film was. We had a good story for the sequel and awesome music but one can never be prepared for mega success or for that matter bumper failure either. It was Mahesh Bhatt’s idea to cast me in the role and what helped my performance was that he was constantly talking to me about my character.

‘Ek Villain’ was more about clash between two villains but you still made an impact.

I realised I had a smaller role in comparison with ‘Aashiqui 2’ and I die in the film too but I liked the way the role was narrated to me. Ekta Kapoor was convinced about the story and I thought it was an opportunity to work with Siddharth and Reitesh Deshmukh so I agreed and never regretted my decision. It was again Ekta Kapoor’s idea that I sing in the film. I took it in my stride and completed the recording without attaching too much importance. It is only now that I learn how other actresses with talent for singing had to struggle for years before getting a break as a playback singer. I have been privileged. God has truly been so kind to me.

Vishal Bharadwaj signed you for ‘Haider’, were you surprised?

Can you believe it, actors crave to work with Vishal and I got the opportunity so early in my career, imagine being part of cast with Tabu, Shahid Kapoor and Kay Kay Menon all fabulous actors. Being with the team for weeks together in Kashmir, bearing the cold was an experience. I was scared I would not understand the nuances of my character. It all appeared complex on paper but Vishal made the shooting so simple and effective.

And soon it will be time for ‘ABCD 2’ a complete dance film with choregrapher Remo?

Varun Dhawan and I were approached by Remo sir at the same time and our reaction to the script was ‘Yes, we must do it’. One it was a challenge to a dance film with Remo sir, he would make us do vigorous rehearsals and we danced till our feet bled but more than that it was an enriching experience to meet and interact with the real dancers cast in the film. The story is their life and there is no way their energy cannot reach the audience. That is why ‘ABCD’ clicked and that is why the serial will work too.

- Bhawana Somaaya/ @bhawanasomaaya