The stars of forthcoming film Dhadak were all enthusiastic about the film’s release at a media interaction to promote the movie Thursday in Mumbai.
Actress Janhvi Kapoor and co-actor Ishaan Khatter answered questions ranging from the burdens of her Kapoor legacy to Khatter’s half-brother Shahid Kapoor’s reaction to the film.
Janhvi, who is marking her Hindi film debut with the film, said she didn’t want to give too much attention to the pressure of being part of the celebrated Kapoor family.
When asked about the weight of maintaining the ‘Kapoor legacy’ that has produced actors like Anil Kapoor, Sridevi Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Sanjay Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor and Harshvadhan Kapoor, Janhvi said: “There is some kind of pressure but I don’t want to give much attention to it. The kind of love my family has received over the years, we all are very thankful to that.
“I want to earn same amount of love and appreciation from the audience for myself but I know that would not be easy as I need to work hard for that. I want to make the audience happy through my work because they have given so much love to our family. Wherever we are today is all because of love from the audience. I want to entertain them in return.”
Dhadak, an official adaption of Marathi blockbuster film Sairat, has evoked criticism and comparisons from a section of the audience. Reacting to the criticism, Janhvi said: “I can understand that so many people are still in love with that film [Sairat] including us.
“Sairat is a really special and iconic film but we are trying to show that story through a new perspective... We just want one chance from the audience to watch the film as we have made this with a lot of hard work and honesty.”
Asked about what difference she observed between Dhadak and Sairat, Janhvi said: “I think the main characters are really different to each other. Sairat was essentially based in interiors of Maharashtra and our film is based in Udaipur... So the background, language and upbringing of characters are totally different.
“My character belongs to a royal family. Both lead characters of our film are so attached to Udaipur and it’s part of their identity, which also affects the storyline of the film.”
After making his debut in the unconventional Beyond the Clouds, young actor Khatter’s turn in Dhadak is a far cry from Majid Majidi’s dark drama.
“It’s a very different world, cinematically and also the people involved in it are completely different,” the 22-year old said.
Khatter’s character in Beyond the Clouds was a street hustler and drug dealer, while in Shashank Khaitan’s Dhadak, he plays an innocent guy madly in love.
“It was adapting to this world. But even for a second I did not feel I had to adjust here. We all worked very much in synchrony. There was a lot of harmony in set and it felt like a big holiday together.”
Asked about half-brother and celebrated actor Shahid Kapoor’s reaction to his latest venture, Khatter said: “He was in Uttarakhand, shooting for his next film, and his initial reaction after seeing the trailer was good. When he saw the title track of Dhadak, he called me to say he loved the song and the video.”
Khatter has been widely praised for his dance moves in Zingaat. Has Shahid, also a brilliant dancer, been an inspiration?
“I used to copy him a lot as a kid. I think it’s something in the genes. Both of us have inherited dance from our mother [Neelima Azeem] and I have idolised him as a dancer since childhood.”
Janhvi hoped it will be a moving experience for the audience. “More than anything, I hope it affects people and they are moved by it. I hope it’s a memorable experience and they feel for our characters.”
Khatter was further quizzed about working opportunities in the future with more celebrated actors.
“I am open to working with everybody — my senior and also fresh actors who are new like me in the industry.”
Dhadak is scheduled to release in the UAE on July 20.
