Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 29, 2017)

Simple Kapadia’s son Karan was 14 when he confided in his actress-aunt Dimple Kapadia and cousin Twinkle Khanna that he wanted to act too. “They were initially surprised but understood that having grown up around their sets as a child, it was inevitable that I’d want to follow in their footsteps. They pointed out the risks involved and warned me I should be ready to work hard. And since then they have been very supportive and helped me get ready for the road ahead,” informs the 24-year-old actor-to-be.

He also reveals that he had earlier been obese at 112 kg but following regular gymming, he is now a fit and healthy 88. “I’ve learnt to ride a horse and the bike, I’ve been swimming and I trained in martial arts for six months in Bangkok,” informs Karan, who having learnt acting at the Jeff Goldberg Studio is now gearing up for his Bollywood debut to be directed by Behzad Khambata. It will be an action-packed entertainer, produced by Shrikant Bhasi, Nishant Pitti, Vishal Rana and Tony D’Souza. Karan had assisted Tony on the 2013 Akshay Kumar-starrer Boss.

He knew Tony was working on this film but was shocked when he approached him to play the protagonist a few months ago. “I have known Tony and his team for a while now. Working with people you’ve known for a long time is great. I play a 26-year-old boy who is trying to find his way in the world. As soon as I heard the script, I knew I wanted to be a part of it,” says Karan who starts shooting in January.

The debutant lives with his aunt Dimple who has been both a mom and a dad to him. “I lost my mom when I was 15 but I feel extremely lucky to have two moms. I can talk to my aunt-mom about my girlfriends, fights with my friends and work too,” he says.

Prod him about his mother who succumbed to cancer when she was 51 in November 2009 and Karan says emotionally, “She was amazing, the toughest person I’ve seen. To date when I’m on a film set, people come up to me and start talking about my mom. She spread love and happiness around and left an impression.”

Karan is also “super close” to his cousin Twinkle who turns 43 today. “She lives a minute away so we see each other all the time. She’s awesome and was destined to be a famous writer. She’s killing it!” he gushes, as connected with Rinke too, noting that being almost 20 years older that him, they organised his birthday parties, took him for meals, swimming and movies.

Twinkle is in Cape Town with actor-husband Akshay Kumar to ring in the New Year. “I couldn’t join them as I am busy with prep but I will Skype to wish her,” he smiles, admitting the best tip came from Akshay who told him that no work is big or small. “Work is work.”