Janhvi Kapoor, who turns 23 today, discusses her wish-list of films, tackling a double role for the first time and how her actress-mother, Sridevi, would make her birthdays special
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 6, 2020)

Janhvi Kapoor, who turns 23 today, kicked off the celebrations with an intimate dinner at sister Anshula’s residence on Thursday night. The actress’s father Boney and elder brother Arjun were also present. “I was supposed to work on my birthday, but the shoot got cancelled,” she smiles, adding that nothing else makes her as happy as being in front of the camera. “I am consumed by my passion for acting, which gives meaning to my life. I feel like I am wasting time if not investing in my craft.”

Reminiscing the days when her late actress-mother Sridevi, and father would go the extra mile to make the day special, Janhvi says, “They would decorate my room with balloons and make everything feel special, be it the conversations on the couch or the cake-cutting. Mom would make me feel pampered. Dad does it every day even now.”

The birthday girl insists that materialistic gifts don’t interest her. It’s the time spent with her loved ones that makes a difference. “A few years ago, some friends took me to Alibaug. There was lots of cake, while one friend recited a poem for me. It was the first time I was out of town for an entire day,” she recalls.

On the work front, Janhvi will next be seen in Roohi Afzana, which is a part of Dinesh Vijan’s horror universe that kicked off with Stree in 2018. In it, she plays a double role and shares screen space with Rajkummar Rao for the first time. Ask her if attempting two roles in a film was challenging and she says, “I had to push myself physically and emotionally as the characters are opposites in terms of physicality, mannerism and even intention. It was liberating to do this in the early days of my career. It also made me feel comfortable in front of the camera.”

Janhvi also has debutant director Sharan Sharma’s Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl in the offing, in which she portrays the titular character, the first Indian woman air-force pilot, along with Srividya Rajan, in combat (during the 1999 Kargil War). “It’s an opportunity of a lifetime; she is so inspiring,” the actress exclaims.

And what about being in a Karan Johar directorial for the first time? While Janhvi is unwilling to talk about Takht, which also features Ranveer Singh, Kareena Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Bhumi Pedneker and Anil Kapoor, and goes on the floors this month, she wants to end the conversation with an eye on the future. “I want to do a love story as I am a romantic at heart and tend to romanticise things in my head. I haven’t had a chance to do another love story after Dhadak. I want to do the montage cuts and love songs again,” she concludes.

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; March 8, 2018)

It has been more than 10 days since Sridevi bid adieu, but her family, friends and fans are still reeling under the shock of her untimely death. Through this ordeal, Boney Kapoor’s children Arjun and Anshula, as well as his extended family, stood by him and his daughters, Janhvi and Khushi, like a rock. And on March 6, when Janhvi turned 21, knowing that she is missing her mother, the Kapoor khandaan came together to spend time with her.

An intimate gathering was planned for her birthday by none other than Anshula. The latter also recently stood up for Janhvi and Khushi on social media, when she slammed a troll for badmouthing the girls. A source close to the Kapoor family told BT, “Boney wanted Janhvi to feel good on her birthday, especially since he knew she was missing her mother. Even before he could act on his thoughts, Anshula took charge and planned a get-together to make Janhvi feel special. Her gesture made Boney even more emotional about the beautiful bond the girls share today. Anshula organised a family-only gathering at her house, where she also invited the rest of the Kapoor family, including cousins Sonam, Rhea and Shanaya for a meal. They cut cakes for Janhvi and sang the birthday song.” Arjun Kapoor was not present as he is shooting out of town for his next film.

While there was an outpour of love and warmth at home, Janhvi made it a point to do what her mother always did for Khushi and her on their birthdays. Every year, Sridevi would visit an orphanage with her daughters on the occasion. This year too, taking forward their mom’s tradition, Janhvi went to the same orphanage and spent time with the children there.

On March 5, Janhvi’s close friends also dropped by at home at midnight to ring in her birthday, making it even more special.