February 24, 2018, was the most unfortunate day for the Indian cinema when the world woke up to hear the painful and sudden demise of the legendary actress, Sridevi. Since then, we cannot even imagine what life must have been for her widower husband, Boney Kapoor and two daughters, Janhvi Kapoor and Khushi Kapoor. (Also Revealed: Boney's First Wife, Mona Kapoor Revealed How Her Husband Left Her And Their Children For Sridevi)
For a long time, everybody wanted to hear Boney Kapoor, his emotions, his take on her daughter’s debut film, and many other things. And now, in an exclusive interview with SpotboyE, Boney has spoken in lengths and poured his heart out.
We all know that Boney and Sridevi’s elder daughter, Janhvi Kapoor debuted recently with Dhadak. The film has been well-received by audience and critics. Boney was asked if he slept well the night before Dhadak’s release, to which he replied, “Honestly, I slept well. I was very sure of the start that Dhadak will get, I knew it will be lapped up. It had been a long time since we had a real good love story. Dhadak takes us back to the good, old days of nice songs and innocent romance--- on the lines of Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Sunny Deol and Amrita Singh in Betaab, Kamal Haasan and Rati Agnihotri in Ek Duuje Ke Liye”.
He further added, “That kind of chemistry between two newcomers is always accepted if the content is good- and what better than Sairat? Plus, Karan Johar (producer) and Shashank Khaitan (director) adapted it very well for the Asian diaspora, the film released on a wide scale, the momentum had picked up from the first promo itself for various reasons- it's a Dharma product, Shashank had given two hits prior to this (Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania and Badrinath Ki Dulhania) , the lead pair was fresh, and then there was an element of how Sridevi and my daughter look like and how she performs. And, I am sure the audiences are not disappointed. The collections are speaking for themselves. I have been getting clippings on my phone of people dancing in theatres to Zingaat. It's a wonderful feeling”. (Suggested Reading: A Stunning Painting Made By Late Sridevi Has Found A Special Place In Husband Boney Kapoor's Office)
Then, Boney Kapoor was asked to reveal Karan Johar’s reaction to which he quipped, “Well, I spoke to him when he saw the film first time. He was elated. He was extremely happy about Ishaan and Janhvi, both. He told me that Janhvi is a revelation. Ishaan accomplished himself quite well in Beyond The Clouds”.
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He further revealed that veterans like Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar, Rekha, among others were surprised to see Janhvi’s acting considering it was her debut. Boney was quoted as saying, “Shabana Azmi told me 'Has Janhvi done chupke se 25-30 films that you haven't released? She looks so polished on screen'. Rekhaji was in tears. Then, Javed Akhtar called up the next day. In fact, he called up even today and told Janhvi that he still can't get over it that how she managed such a difficult role in her first film”.
He added more, “Ishaan is, of course, a good actor. He had proved it in his first film. Let us not forget the circumstances Janhvi found herself in. Almost half of Dhadak was shot after Sri's demise. It requires great courage in such conditions to play the part. I had always told her: Never try to act, just become the part. And she did! Sri and I had seen quite a few scenes much before we left for Dubai. We were in the car and I asked her what she thinks of her. She said that I should answer that question first. I replied: The good thing about her is she is not in awe of you. We have had several cases of children of big stars who are in major awe of their parents. Personality traits cannot be changed, even the voice can be similar--- but here Janhvi's voice is different than her mom's”. (You May Like: Boney Kapoor Received Late Wife Sridevi's Award At IIFA 2018, Broke Down On The Stage (See Pics))
Talking more about Janhvi’s peculiar voice, Boney said, “I would rather say vulnerable and not peculiar, the vulnerability brings in innocence and that makes her endearing... I don't know if you know this but Janhvi is a big movie buff. She is a big fan of Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, Madhubala, Nutan, Waheeda Rehman, Vyjanthimala. She has a big collection of their films and I recently even asked Bimal Roy's son to send us some of Bimalda's films which we can't get now. And as we speak, Janhvi is watching Guru Dutt's Kagaz Ke Phool in the other room now. Yes. We are really blessed to have a child like her. She will achieve what she has embarked upon. The journey has just begun”.
When Boney was asked about the unpredictability of ambitions (as Sridevi initially didn’t want Janhvi to be an actress) and if he motivated his daughter towards acting, he replied, “I wouldn't say that I motivated Janhvi. I encouraged her to let her do what she wants. Why curb someone's natural instincts? Like for one, I didn't know until Salman (Khan) told me that Arjun has it in him to become an actor. On the other hand, my eldest child, Anshula is extremely academically inclined. And Khushi first wanted to become a model- but has now shifted her focus to becoming an actress. Coming to your question, the unpredictability of the profession was one reason. Sri was a perfectionist, so she put in a lot of hard work--- so yeah, she felt that Janhvi should enjoy what her parents have achieved and if at all wants to start working, should get into a profession where there is comfort. We have no fixed hours here, you see glitter and glamour on screen- but it's not easy to set up and enact all that”.
Revealing how Janhvi is in real life, Boney Kapoor retorted, “She is a very warm, affectionate child with proper netiquettes. All those who have interacted with her tell me that. I am fortunate that people have to say such good things about all my four children- they say that they have been very well brought up”.
Boney advised Janhvi, “Keep things simple. There is a lot of negativity in our profession. Different people have different agendas. Just do your work with honesty and sincerity, they will all start talking positively about you one day”. (Don't Miss: Janhvi Kapoor Wipes Off Her Father, Boney Kapoor's Sweat Just Like Mom, Sridevi Kapoor Used To Do)
Boney also revealed that he wants Janhvi to trust her own instincts and take decisions, “Yeah. Sri's instincts were very strong. I want Janhvi also to polish her instincts and take decisions independently. Decisions go wrong but if you have taken them yourself, you won't blame anybody and it won't disturb you. I have taken certain decisions where I went wrong when I was called the manipulator. If I was smart, I wouldn't have gone through what I went through”.
On being asked if Janhvi is more like him or her mother, Boney replied, “She's got good points from both of us. Also, she has her own individuality. She knows what she wants to do and what she doesn't want to do. And, I respect that. Everything will be discussed at home but the final decision will be her's”.
Have his responsibilities as a father changed now? Boney said, “I am a friendly father. I have been through this age. I know its pitfalls and the bright spots. All my children are within limits. As far as her career moves of Janhvi are concerned, she will have Karan and me around. But I won't live forever. She is young. I am 62-63. My shock absorbers are strong, physically and emotionally. I wouldn't lie. I have my moments when I am down and low. But I gather myself when decisions are to be taken. Today, I am prepared for anything. I don't fear anything. I am ready to face. That a streak/trait in me that has kept me strong. I can carry on with life with eventualities that have not been good”.
What does he think about the fact that Arjun, Janvhi, Khushi and Anshula have become so close to each other? To this, Boney Kapoor replied, “As I said, I am blessed to have these four. They love each other a lot and I am glad that they have come together. It was due to happen anytime, it just happened when something unfortunate happened. They are all my blood and they had to come around. I give credit to all four, but yes, more to Arjun because he is the eldest. He flew in to Dubai to be with me. Anshula was in Mumbai with Janhvi and Khushi. They have happened through two different mothers but why should they get affected? They need their father now, and I am going to be around them”. (Also Read: Janhvi Kapoor Believes Her Mom Sridevi And Dad Boney Kapoor's 'Jodi' Is Made In Heaven)
Wow! It seems every bit that we had wanted to know from Boney Kapoor has been poured out! Guys, do comment your emotions after reading the above interview and your take on this.
