Star kids—Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor—are ready for their most-anticipated film, Dhadak, to release. And it’s the time when their hearts would be beating the loudest, as it’s a litmus test that might set their careers rolling.
An adaptation of Marathi phenomenal hit Sairat, the film is a romantic drama directed by Shashank Khaitan. While it’s Janhvi’s first film, Ishaan had made his acting debut with Majid Majidi’s Beyond the Clouds earlier this year, but Dhadak will be his first Bollywood film as a hero.
On being Shahid Kapoor’s younger sibling, Ishaan says, “A lot of comparisons will be made between us, but he is a star whereas I have just begun my career. I am 22 and I have a long way to go, but I am ready for it. He has his own share of struggles, I have mine. But let me tell you that my brother has never advised me about my work. The only thing he told me was to work hard and do an honest job. I have always admired him and have learnt a lot from him.”
Sridevi and Boney Kapoor’s daughter Janhvi, on the other hand, says, “My mamma got a lot of love from the audiences and fans, and I want to earn all the love they have given to her all these years. I know it’s not going to be easy and I will have to work hard to earn that respect and love. The support that I find in my parents is what I am looking for from the audience also.”
Both of them are anxious as well as excited to know how the audience accepts them.
Ishaan says, “People were kind enough to appreciate my work in Beyond the Clouds, but I am curious about this film too and have worked equally hard. They are two different genres and roles. Though I have got a lot of recognition with my first film, that doesn’t mean I am highly talented. The credit for my work goes to both my directors. I love films and watch a lot of films, and I want to do a lot of work. I am not scared of going to the sets. I actually enjoy it.”
Janhvi, who got to read the script a month before the shoot, says, “I read it thoroughly, hence I was under no pressure during the shoot. We have worked really hard for the film.”
The actors had to take workshops before starting work on the film. However, Ishaan started off earlier as a child artist, and his training had begun quite early. But he says, “This film, as well as the role, was challenging, and I love challenges. There were a lot of difficult scenes but one scene on the sea shore was very demanding. A huge amount of work was completed in just five days and that was a big task. I like to learn and experience new things every day. ”
About her character, Jahnvi says, “The journey of my character in the film is very different from the life I have led. My character Parthavi is from Udaipur and I am from Mumbai. She comes from a royal family and I belong to a filmi family. Her upbringing is different; the way she sits is different. I got to learn a lot and explore a lot during the shoot, and I enjoyed it. If I hadn’t done this role I would have never learnt about Mewari culture and history.”
Working with Shashank was fun, she says. “I was excited on the first day of the shoot, and Shashank creates a family-like atmosphere on the sets. I was very comfortable on the sets as we had done so many readings before. I was nervous in front of mamma during the muhurat shot, but she encouraged me with a clap.”
Ishaan, who met Shashank for another film which he was writing at that time, says, “I never knew about Dhadak. Shashank had introduced me to Karan Johar. But suddenly he came up with this film. I got to learn a lot from him. We had done so many readings for the film. My confidence level increased after this film.”
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About his co-star Janhvi, he says, “She brings in a lot of energy on the sets and she has worked really hard. She keeps the atmosphere very light and happy. She is very much in love with the making of cinema.”
Janhvi, who is all praises for Ishaan, says, “He’s a great co-star. He has already done a film like Beyond The Clouds and everyone has appreciated it. He is very caring and giving.”