Meet actor named after a character from parents’ film, was asked to become a doctor, faced biggest flops but now is Bollywood’s top actress

by

Today on our “Meet the Star” segment, we’ll delve into the life story of a renowned Bollywood actress whose name was inspired by a movie her parents were working on before her birth. Initially, her mother harbored aspirations for her to become a doctor, shunning the world of cinema. However, destiny had a different path in mind. She began her acting journey with a series of box office disappointments, but has since risen to prominence as one of Bollywood’s most revered actresses. Can you guess who this remarkable woman is?

If you haven’t figured it out yet, the answer is none other than Janhvi Kapoor! Her unique name originated from a movie titled Judaai, which was released prior to her birth and produced by her father. This film starred her mother, the iconic Sridevi, along with Urmila Matondkar who played the character named Janhvi. So enamored were her parents with this name that they bestowed it upon their firstborn child.

Janhvi Kapoor, who hails from a well-known Bollywood family, didn’t necessarily plan on becoming an actress from the start. In fact, her mother, Sridevi, had other dreams for her. During an interview with Indian Express, she shared that she wished Janhvi would pursue a career in medicine instead of acting. However, young Janhvi expressed her doubts about her academic abilities, admitting, “As a child, my mother wanted me to become a doctor. I’m not sure why, but I told her, ‘I’m sorry mom, but I don’t think I have the brains for it’.

Instead, it was ultimately her father, Boney Kapoor, who assisted Sridevi in accepting Janhvi’s aspirations to act in Bollywood. This paved the path for her entry into the film industry. Later on, she honed her skills at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in California before starting her acting career.

Her cinematic journey commenced in 2018 with the release of Dhadak, a successful romantic drama. Yet, she encountered challenges with some disappointing films. Despite these hurdles, she persisted and steadily advanced her career through projects like Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, where she brought a real-life aviator to life, and Roohi, in which she tackled dual roles in a blend of horror and comedy.

Apart from being recognized for her acting skills, Janhvi Kapoor is famed for her daring spirit. In Kareena Kapoor Khan’s talk show, she confessed to slipping away on an unannounced trip to Las Vegas, pretending to her father that she was merely going to the cinema. Moreover, during a Vogue interview, she spoke about her wedding plans—an intimate ceremony at Tirupati, where she intends to wear a Kanjeevaram sari and offer a traditional South Indian meal.

2024 stands out as a significant year in her career, marked by three significant releases: Mr. & Mrs. Mahi, the intense political drama Ulajh, and her debut in Telugu cinema with Devara: Part 1, starring N. T. Rama Rao Jr. Notably, Devara: Part 1 emerged as her most successful film to date, earning over Rs 5 billion globally. As for the future, she has an intriguing slate of projects, including Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari with Varun Dhawan, RC16 alongside Ram Charan, and Param Sundari opposite Sidharth Malhotra.

Originally hailing from a family of stars and navigating an unpredictable beginning, Janhvi Kapoor has been steadily gaining prominence within the Hindi film industry (Bollywood). She consistently leaves her unique imprint on it.

Read More

2025-02-20 12:08