From being clueless before paps to now enjoying the attention, Janhvi Kapoor is a happy soul
Monika Rawal Kukreja (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 9, 2020)

She’s slowly learning the tricks of the trade and is clearly picking up fast. Janhvi Kapoor didn’t really like giving interviews till she made her acting debut in Dhadak (2018), but now, she’s way more comfortable talking about her work, choosing a project and dealing with the paparazzi, among other things. In a chat, the actor opens up about her journey so far — from being clueless on how to react when papped, to now when she can handle the attention.

From Dhadak to now, when you have four films lined up, do you feel like a changed person?
I feel extremely fortunate that I’ve got to know myself more as an actor and as a person over these two years. It has defined my taste in cinema and altered the way I want to look at the films I do.

After hearing a script, what’s the criterion you follow before signing the dotted line?
I need to be moved by the content in some way or the other. It either needs to make me laugh or touch me. It needs to stay with me till the next day. Also, having a good energy and a rapport with the director is very important because at the end of the day, you’ve to be able to collaborate.

You’re working with some of the best people in the industry. Does it give you a high?
You know, I’ve actually worked with everyone I dreamed of working with. In my Dhadak interviews, I said I want to work with Pankaj Tripathi, Rajkummar Rao, Ranveer Singh and I’m working with all of them this year (in Gunjan Saxena, Roohi Afzana and Takht respectively). So, I feel extremely fortunate. I also have a list of directors I hope to work with. Zoya (Akhtar) was one of them and I’ve worked with her in Ghost Stories. Karan (Johar) too is on the list and I’m getting to work with him.

There’s a constant scrutiny on your social media posts, your gym looks, airport looks and so on. Do you get tired, at times?
No, in fact, it’s so funny because after Dhadak, there are people who come up to me and say, ‘Oh, we loved your first film’, and then there are those who’re like, ‘Oh my God, I follow your gym looks all the time’. So, it’s like I am known for Dhadak, and I’m known for my gym looks too. It’s weird, but I can’t blame them. My films haven’t released yet. I have just been shooting. And I hope once they do, people will talk about my films, and associate me with them, rather than my gym shorts.

But being followed everywhere — airport, dinners, gym — is it too burdening or overwhelming?
There was a phase when it reached a point of excess even before Dhadak had released and that was kind of weird. At that point, I didn’t know if I should smile or wave because I felt I hadn’t done anything on my own to deserve this kind of attention. I’m not saying that I have (done) even now; I’m only a film old. But, at least I’ve done one film now, so main wave kar sakti hoon, mujhe pata hai log mere liye aur mujhe dekhne aayein hain. So, it’s extremely flattering that anyone would take the time out to come and click my photo and then people would see it on social media when I’m just going out to sweat for an hour and come back, or I’ve stepped out to eat. It’s great to get that kind of attention. I hope I keep doing things that will make people feel that I deserve their time and attention.