Brimming with confidence, Janhvi Kapoor doesn’t come across as a débutante. Of course, some of her answers sound rehearsed but if you push her beyond the obvious, Janhvi, like her mother Sridevi, comes up with a sharp response. In Delhi to talk about Dhadak , Shashank Khaitan’s adaptation of Sairat , the Nagraj Manjule directed Marathi film that found both critical and box office success with its uninhibited take on caste and class barriers that continue to crush young dreams. “Yes, people will compare the film with Sairat . It was an iconic film but we have adapted the story with utmost sincerity and responsibility in a different milieu,” says Janhvi, adding the social backdrop has been shifted to Rajasthan. “I just hope that people recognise the honesty behind the effort. They are free to have opinions and make comparisons. I hope that they will accept our take on the story.”
Excerpts:
How will you describe your feeling before the release of your first film?
The present state of mind can be defined as a mix of nervousness, anxiety, excitement and nostalgia. We have talked a lot and we have given so many interviews but the real thing is going to unravel when the film will open for public. A chapter of my life is going to end or it can be the beginning of a new chapter.
Did you always want to become an actor?
I was always in love with cinema and I have a long list of favourite films which include Pyaasa , Mughal-e-Azam,Guide and Anand. I am equally into English films and have fond memories of watching Titanic , My Left Foot and A Woman Under the Influence .
Did the cinema culture at home help you in building a better understanding of cinema?
My parents were so involved and consumed by their passion for their profession that conversations at home were always about films. There was too much knowledge that I had access to, and I am very thankful that I got my early education in cinema at home.
Does it inform you as an actor?
It does, but more than that it helped me grow as a person who is in love with cinema. The stories of mom and dad and their experiences on sets provided me the basic understanding of how this whole system works before entering the industry. I knew how I should be before I entered the industry.
What kind of conversation did you have with director Shashank Khaitan?
I came to the sets with a clear mind without fixed notions. I think the characters of any film are conceptualised by its director and the actors should follow his vision. It was very important to surrender to what he wanted. Once we found the character and discovered them, we were free to move around with them within the realm of reality that he created.
How challenging was it to understand the milieu of Rajasthan?
We did a lot of reading; we travelled to Udaipur and spoke to locals. The knowledge of cultural backdrop helped us understand the characters. The fact that our director is a Marwari with a good understanding of Marwari dialect also helped us.
Does this film inform you more about India and its social problems like casteism?
Yes, I think it does inform me more about India. Though the film is set in a region in Rajasthan, what it says is applicable to not only India but all over the world because it is the not just speaking about casteism but also about class divide which is present everywhere and I hope that it brings some sort of awareness about shunning prejudices.
Has life changed after coming into the limelight?
I don't think so. I have not achieved anything yet to be in the light. Whatever attention I am getting is also because my parents. So I can't take this attention seriously. I am happy with the fact that I got to learn so much through this experience.
With other film industry children entering the industry, are you ready for comparisons?
I have observed that this question is asked to only female actors. No one asks Ishaan. There is a common misconception that girls cannot be happy for each other and only one can be successful. I feel coexistence is possible and we can be happy for each other.
How do you see the change in the archetypal Hindi film heroine?
There have always been cases where there were strong female characters. Films like Guide , Mr&Mrs 55 gave freedom to the heroine to do whatever she wanted to do as opposed to conform to a stereotypical image she is only used as a muse.
You can also count Mother India , Seeta Aur Geeta , Sujata and Bandini . The only thing which is changing is tagging certain films as female-oriented. I think a good story with a strong female character is a better expression.
