Dhadak Updates- Shashank on why he changed Sairat end- PG 31 - Page 15

A couple of days ago, Janhvi Kapoor shared a picture from Lucknow while promoting her debut film, Dhadak. In less than an hour, the post received two lakh likes and thousands of comments with one pointing out that she was a "carbon copy of her mom Sridevi and another insisting "your mother lives on through you.

The debutante who lost her mother, Sridevi, on February 24, admits that as the release date July 20 draws closer, she's beginning to feel the weight of expectations, more so now than when they were filming, when her focus was living the character and Pari's journey. "During the shoot, I was far removed from the din. Now, I can only hope that I live up to the expectations, including my own, she says.

The 21-year-old debutante acknowledges that comparisons with her actress-mother are inevitable and doesn't think anyone can ever come close to her legendary status.

"Hopefully I'm worthy enough to be given the chance to create my own identity, she says, admitting that she wants to make her mother and her fans proud. She admits she hasn't watched too many of her mother's film but Sadma and Mom are her favourite.

She recalls her first day on the sets, with Sridevi and her filmmaker dad Boney Kapoor among the spectators, agreeing that their presence made the day all the more special. "It was my moment of truth and fortunately it went smoothly. The first shot was okayed in one take. We had prepped so much that I wasn't nervous and felt like everything in my life had been building up to this moment, Janhvi reminisces.

She also recalls how the film's producer, Karan Johar, had dropped by after designer and family friend Manish Malhotra told him about Janhvi and urged him to meet her. They did, briefly, after which they had a few readings during which Karan made her enact some scenes. "He was considering me for another film initially, but then I met Shashank (Khaitan), Dhadak just happened and everything felt so right, she informs, adding that not once did KJo tell her that he wanted to make this movie with her, it was understood.

Sridevi passed away suddenly in Dubai, when Janhvi was mid-way through the shoot of her first film. She showed admirable professionalism, returning to the set after the last rites and ensuring Dhadak kept its July date with the theatres. "It was an organic decision, she says. "Surprisingly, the only thing I don't associate with work is mom.

Both of us had consciously decided that this would be my own journey. Acting is the only thing I knew to do without her.

She admits that the last few months have been full of heartache and she's already craving for another creative outlet. "Working was the easy part, everything else was a struggle, she says with a catch in her voice.

Brother Arjun Kapoor has been a pillar of strength during this difficult time, posting a message on the social media welcoming her into the industry and joining Khushi, Anshula and their dad during a family vacation in London last month. "I've realised Arjun is very wise, just like dad. They can comfort and guide you in a way that many people can't. It comes from experience and having made successful films. Everyone has always said such nice things about him and the way he's been brought up. He values honesty and tells me to be respectful towards people, Janhvi smiles.

Arjun couldn't make it to the Dhadak trailer launch as he was out of the country shooting for Vipul Shah's Namaste England, but dad Boney, uncle Anil Kapoor, cousins Mohit and Harshvardhan and sister Khushi were present at the event to support her.

"Everything I've done is to get validation from mom and dad and this kind of love and unity from the family makes me feel safe and secure, she reveals.

Does she plan to work with Boney in the future? "I'd like to be worthy to get an opportunity from anyone. I hope people like my work and want to see me again. I hope papa likes me enough in my first film to want to cast me, she replies, unwilling to be drawn into a conversation about Khushi and her acting aspirations. "That's for her to answer, she says shortly.

Meanwhile, having watched co-star Ishaan Khatter's debut film, the Majid Majidi drama Beyond the Clouds, she is all praise for the actor and admits she looks up to him. "Ishaan inspires everyone, including me. He's been a big help and is a positive energy to have around, she beams.

The Hindi remake of Marathi hit, Sairat, was a learning experience for Janhvi, teaching her a lot about Rajasthan and its heritage, things she admits she hadn't known because of her upbringing, schooling and the people she interacted with. "While I have travelled with my parents around the world, we were often confined to the hotels, with heavy security around us, because of their celebrity status. The Dhadak shoot gave me the anonymity to explore a place for the first time and every day was an anecdote, she says, remembering how, in Udaipur they'd wander off during breaks and once got their palms read by an astrologer on Gangaur Ghat. "In Kolkata we chatted up the locals and feasted on the delicacies. I cherished the freedom the film gave me.

Janhvi admits that post interval, after the couple elope in the film, the story takes a more intense turn and that, for her, was far more interesting than the first half of the romance because intense emotions come more naturally to her. "There's a scene where my character is supposed to look starved because she hasn't eaten for a few days. Just before we filmed it, I had gorged on pizzas and ice-creams because I had forgotten about the shoot. In front of the camera, I had to pounce on plates of idli sambar.

By the end of it, I was gagging, she giggles. Sridevi was slated to shoot for another Karan Johar's production, Kalank, from early April. Madhuri Dixit has since stepped into the role and Janhvi had taken to social media to break the news. "I've read the script, it's a beautiful film. I'm waiting to see all of these actors together and the magic they are going to create, she signs off.