Interview : Khushi Kapoor : Acting has always been a part of my life!

Khushi Kapoor, daughter of late actress #Sridevi and producer #BoneyKapoor and younger sister of Bollywood actress #JanhviKapoor, made her acting debut with #ZoyaAkhtar’s web series ‘#TheArchies’ last year. Her performance was hailed by everyone and now Khushi is preparing for her big screen debut #Loveyapa which’ll hit theatres on 7th February. Khushi Kapoor interacted with our Sr Editor Keerti Kadam during an interview session.

Khushi how excited are you for your first theatrical release? Any butterflies in stomach?
Yes, I’m very excited and nervous and I think I’m more excited than nervous.

There must be some nightmares like sleepless nights or enjoyments like promotions so what is happening around right now?
I feel like this is the first time I am promoting in this way and I think the last time I was doing promotions for ‘Archies’ it was with a lot of other people and this time I feel is just Junaid and I, so I can’t really hide behind anyone but it is been fun, it is a very different experience. I am able to talk more and meet more people so I guess the more you do the easier it becomes.

Any advice from your lived ones, who too are part of the entertainment industry?
They advised, “Just be yourself”. I tend to have a tendency to shy away when I am speaking to people in public, but at home, I’m very loud and extroverted, so I think the main advice from my family is to be myself.

From your side, how did “Loveyapa” start? What was the process like, including the script?
Firstly, I heard about this film from my dad, who recommended that I should watch the original version. The original movie was excellent, and when I watched it, I fell in love with it. During the narration process, the dialogues and characters were immediately modified, but I thought it was phenomenal, and the writing was truly amazing.

Any situation which surprised you?
Not that I think of but Initially when Ashutosh sir came and we met on set, I was a little intimidated by him because he is a senior actor and I am new in this Industry. I was little scared at first but after the shoot and 1-2 readings he immediately made me feel comfortable and he also improvises scenes a lot. Initially it was a little surprising for me but later on we really enjoyed.

How was your chemistry and bonding with Junaid and did you guys have fun?
I think we both are really serious people. We practiced and rehearsed a lot. I think our main conversation was how will the scene go further, how will we do it? Should we try this or that? So, I think we both are focused during the shoot.

Did you always want to be an actor since childhood?
I always knew I would become an actress, and so did my family. My parents often took us to their sets, so there wasn’t a specific moment of realization where I decided to pursue acting. It was something I always knew. From childhood, I was surrounded by conversations about movies at home, which made it feel natural to me. Acting has always been a part of my life so I knew it all along.

What does Janhvi say about your acting or your role?
She is happy and she’s really excited for me and I always take her advice before doing something and I think she has been really supportive and always gives me her blessings.

Does she help you choose scripts since she is more experienced and senior to you?
Yes, she always gives me advices. Obviously I have my instincts too but I always ask about her opinion before doing something. So, I think my final answer depends on her and my dad.

Coming from a renowned background and making a debut often sparks a lot of discussion. How do you view these things, and how do you handle the perception that it’s easier for star kids to enter the industry and get roles, while it’s much harder for others?
I don’t think it’s entirely wrong to say that getting films might be easier, but the journey is different for everyone. Coming from a film background also brings its own baggage. People often compare me to others, saying things like, “Her sister dances so well; why can’t she?” or “Her mother was such a great actor; why can’t she do films like that?” The pressure of comparison is always there. I’m still very new to the industry and have a lot to learn. People often forget that whether someone comes from the industry or not, the experience and learning process are the same, everyone starts from zero. There’s pressure from time to time, but it’s not something I can change.

How did you prepare for your role? Since you always wanted to become an actress, what was your preparation process like?
I attended film school in New York for a year, and when it ended, I returned to Mumbai. Shortly after, the Covid lockdown was announced. During that time, my dad showed my school audition to Jagir uncle, and at that point, the casting for ‘The Archies’ was happening. Zoya saw my audition, and then I went to her office and gave 3-4 more auditions. That’s how it all started. It wasn’t something I had planned, but it just happened.

How excited were you for your first assignment with Zoya?
I was so excited that I started crying. I immediately called my dad, I was with my friends at the time and that’s when Zoya called to tell me I had gotten Betty’s character. I was overwhelmed with joy and cried.

You received a lot of love for that character, but now it’s your first time on the big screen. How did you prepare for it?
This role is very different from my previous one. ‘The Archies’ was a period film, while this is set in the present era. The characters are also distinct. Archies had a more “western” vibe, whereas this one is much more “desi.” The preparation for both roles was different as well. For this film, I worked with a dialect coach, and in Archies there was more emphasis on singing and dancing. In contrast, for Loveyapa the focus was more on fiction, dialect, and emotions. As for the characters, Me and Baani are very different. Me and Betty, on the other hand, are similar in the sense that I’m quite reserved, and my personality is soft. Baani, however is the opposite she says whatever comes to her mind, is loud, and often shouts, but she’s also very loving. So, the preparation and processes for both roles were very different.

So was it difficult to portray a character so different from your own personality?
Actually, I really enjoyed it because I don’t usually shout, so this was my opportunity to do something different. During the first reading, Advait sir was a bit concerned because Junaid and I are both quite different from our characters, and he thought he might be in trouble. But during the first reading, something clicked. We just had to perform the phone call scene. I was in one corner, and Junaid was in the other, and all I had to do was shout “Kutte.” After that, Advait sir said, “Okay, this will work” (laughs).

As an actor, you always have certain ideas or aspirations about the roles you want to play. Do you have anything in mind that you’d like to do in the future?
Actually, this is 3rd film which I have shot and after this I would like to play a sad character and many more….

But your name is ‘Khushi’…….
Actually, my friends call me “Dukhi” (laughs). My best friend’s name is Muskaan, and whenever we’d go out together, people would joke, saying “Nuksaan and Dukhi” are here. In the future, I do want to explore more serious roles, like dramatic, dark, and thrilling characters. The films I’ve done so far have been light, romantic, and easy fun watches, so trying something different would be exciting.

Are there some actors in your wish list that you want to work with? Any personal favorite?
There are many people in the industry so it is hard to choose for me but I look up to Alia, Deepika and Priyanka a lot they are my favorite actresses of all time.

In Male category?
I love working with women, as you can probably tell (laughs), but in the male category, I feel like I’ve entered a new phase. I’m excited to work with newcomers. I think a new chapter is beginning, and we’re aiming to create new content and movies. I really want to collaborate with new actors because there’s a special kind of enjoyment when we’re all in the same boat, starting fresh together. So, yes, working with new actors is something I’m looking forward to.

Is this film meant to convey a message to this generation?
Definitely. This film addresses technology and social media, and it conveys the message that without communication, trust, and understanding, there can be no real relationship. All these external issues can be solved easily, but the problems we face are often ones we create ourselves. Without understanding, there’s nothing to build on.

Until now, you’ve been known as Sridevi’s daughter, Janhvi’s sister, but now you’ve stepped into your own as an actress, and people are starting to recognize you as Khushi Kapoor. How does it feel to finally have your own identity?
I feel a little different now because I was used to hiding behind my mother’s saree pallu. Coming out on my own feels like a big change, and it’s definitely a new experience for me.

Speaking of your mother is there any movie or character that you want to remake or play?
No, I will not do anything like that.

Which movie of your mother’s, Janhvi’s, and your father’s is your all-time favourite?
I love my mother’s movie ‘Sadma’, Janhvi’s ‘Mili’ and my dad’s ‘No Entry’.

Speaking of ‘NO ENTRY’ would you like to do a comedy film as well?
I enjoy watching comedy films, so I think doing a film like that would be great someday. Since I’m new to this, I don’t want to say no to anything and am open to trying everything.

Since this your first big screen movie, what do you expect from it?
I’ve worked really hard on this film, and I hope people go and watch it. The story is fantastic, and it’s been a while since a love story like this has come along. It’s a very young and relevant love story, and since it’s releasing in Valentine’s week, I hope couples, families, and friends will come to watch it in theatres.

By Keerti Kadam