Janhvi Kapoor speaks on Bawaal

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It’s the way things work nowadays. The stars and filmmakers are follow the diktats of their films’ PR folks, or else, their personal agencies that are said to look after their “interests”. When the Bawaal press meet was organized last week in Dubai, the international PRs requested me to mail questions to Nitesh Tiwari, the director, and Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor, the lead pair. The questions would be asked during the conference, I was told.

When they were not (I was requested to send in two Qs each), I wondered what was the point of the whole exercise. But the PR assured me that my questions would be answered. A few days later, I won the Janhvi Kapoor lottery (yes, that’s what these normal things look like now!) and I am told that the answers of the hero and the filmmaker will follow.

Janhvi Kapoor is undoubtedly the most talented actress to have entered the film industry in the last decade, despite some others who are much more successful or at least hyped. And while what she talked about in the press conference has already been mentioned in the coverage of that event (“Prime Video premieres trailer of Bawaal at a global press event in Dubai,” July 11), here are her answers to my questions.

What is your criterion for choosing roles, and in that context, what made you choose a film like Bawaal?

My criteria often revolve around the complexity and depth of the character, the potential for personal and professional growth, and most importantly, the impact the story could have on the audience. Bawaal presented a unique and challenging character in Nisha, and it was not just a love story, but also a journey of self-discovery.

Do you ask your father, producer Boney Kapoor, for advice or inputs while choosing any film?

Yes, I do consult with him, but he always encourages me to make my own decisions. He has been in the industry for decades and his insights are valuable. However, he respects my autonomy in choosing the roles that resonate with me and roles to which I feel I could do most justice.

Here’s wishing for a proper interview with Janhvi Kapoor before her next release. And come to think of it, why should talents need a specific reason to be interviewed? Well, only time (and the PRs and agencies, I guess!) will tell!