After marking her on-screen debut with a reality web series last year, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni is now set to step into the world of cinema with her first feature film. What makes this project even more special is that she shares the screen with her mother, veteran actress Neetu Kapoor. The two recently wrapped up a 40-day shoot in the scenic town of Mashobra near Shimla – an experience Riddhima says brought them closer than ever.

Shooting for her debut film was an emotional experience. “Mom and I live in different cities. But during the shoot, we lived under the same roof for over a month. We’d start our mornings with chai and breakfast, go to set together. It was an emotional and joyful time. The last time we spent this much uninterrupted time together was when my daughter Samara was born. Even though we live apart, we’re in touch every day,” shares Riddhima.

As she stepped into this new chapter, Riddhima turned to her brother, Ranbir Kapoor, for guidance. “Ranbir was really excited when he found out I was doing a film,” she says. “I’d send him photos of my looks and clips from scenes, just to get his opinion. It also made me remember some of the stories that dad (Rishi Kapoor) would tell us about his own time on set. For me, my mom’s opinion matters the most. Her word is final.”

The yet-untitled film, which also stars Kapil Sharma and Sadia Khateeb, includes a particularly poignant scene between the mother-daughter duo – a moment that left a lasting emotional imprint on both mother and daughter.

“I can’t reveal our characters just yet, but the film is a roller coaster of emotions. There’s one scene in particular that really moved me. I’m not someone who cries easily or publicly. When something hurts, I usually retreat, cry in private and come back composed. The last time I cried openly was when dad passed away. But this scene – without any glycerine – just broke me. The emotions were so real, and my mom was shaken seeing me like that,” she says.

(L to R) Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, Sadia Khateeb, Neetu Kapoor, and Kapil Sharma on the set

Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives, the third season of Netflix’s popular reality series, showed that Riddhima Kapoor Sahni is comfortable in front of the camera. Unsurprisingly then, she is following in the footsteps of her parents — late father Rishi Kapoor, and mother Neetu Kapoor — and brother Ranbir Kapoor by foraying into movies. She recently wrapped up her debut film, which sees her as the female lead alongside Neetu, and Kapil Sharma.

One’s first film is always special. It is more so for Riddhima as the yet-untitled movie, which revolves around the chaos and hilarity that ensues during a family wedding, sees her play daughter to Neetu on screen. Riddhima reveals that the senior actor, who was first roped in for the project, approached her at director Ashish R Mohan’s behest.

“When mom narrated the story and my role to me, I instantly connected to it. It has everything, tears and laughter,” she says.

The family entertainer, which also stars Tejaswini Kolhapure and Sadia Khateeb, went on floors in April as the team shot in Mashobra and other parts of Shimla. Was she jittery on her first day of shoot? Not really, shares Riddhima.

“I wasn’t nervous or apprehensive at all on my first day of shoot; I was excited. Mom would sometimes give me tips on what to do, which were helpful. We had fun working together; we’d rehearse our lines together. She is not used to seeing me crying. So, when I’d cry on camera, she used to get emotional. My husband [Bharat Sahni] and daughter [Samara] were with me. I used to send stills of my shots to my brother [Ranbir] and he would give his feedback too.”

Clearly, the fashion and jewellery designer has enjoyed her brush with acting. Does this mean a new Kapoor has joined Indian cinema that has been dominated by her family over generations? Will she pursue movies and web series?

“Never say never,” Riddhima smiles. “I enjoyed the process of acting and filmmaking, and I am happy with the way the film has shaped up. Through the journey of this film, I have evolved so much as an actor and a person.”

Jewellery designer Riddhima Kapoor Sahni is ready for a new chapter in her career. After making her OTT debut with the web series Fabulous Lives Vs Bollywood Wives last year, the daughter of actors Rishi and Neetu Kapoor will soon appear on the big screen.

“Yes, I am filming a movie in the hills.” She tells us, but remains tight-lipped about the details. Probe more and she replies, “All I can say is that we are shooting here until June.”

Several reports have suggested that comedian Kapil Sharma and mum Neetu will also be a part of the upcoming project. “The best part [of the shoot] is that mum and I are staying together and we rehearse our lines everyday,” the 44-year-old confirms, adding that she is “enjoying the process thoroughly”.

As part of Bollywood’s Kapoor khandaan, Riddhima is no stranger to cinema. However, she shares that she doesn’t have plans to start acting full time: “I didn’t plan this. When I was approached, I just said yes. I heard the script and loved it.”

Has she got any feedback or inputs from her filmi family? “They are so excited. I keep sending them snippets of my scenes and they are fully supportive. Samara [her daughter] will also visit me once during her summer holidays,” she replies.

The Kapoor family recently came together to celebrate the grand wedding of actor Aadar Jain and entrepreneur Alekha Advani in Mumbai, a star-studded affair graced by Bollywood’s biggest names. However, amid the glitz and glamour, a brief moment between veteran actor Neetu Kapoor and her granddaughter Samara Sahni has taken the internet by storm.

A video from the wedding, now viral on social media, shows Riddhima Kapoor Sahni posing with her teenage daughter, Samara, as Neetu Kapoor joins them. In the clip, Samara momentarily gestures away from her grandmother, leading to speculation that she was upset and had pushed Neetu aside.

Addressing the buzz, Riddhima is quick to set the record straight. “It was blown out of proportion. She was just excited to pose! In the car, she kept saying, ‘Oh my God, there will be photographers, and I’ll pose like this and that.’ When the paparazzi asked us to come together, she just wanted her own moment — she didn’t push her nani,” she tells us.

Even Samara was taken aback by the online chatter. “She asked me, ‘When did I push her? I was just trying to pose and get comfortable,’” Riddhima shares, adding, “Aware of the scrutiny that comes with public attention, Samara has begun to notice how every action gets magnified. ‘Last time, I was being goofy, and they had a problem. Now, when I’m doing nothing, they still have a problem!’ Samara once remarked.” With constant media exposure, Riddhima ensures open conversations with Samara about navigating the highs and lows of fame: “My mother and I chat with her every day about the pros, cons, good, bad, and ugly, so it doesn’t affect her.”