The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly altered various aspects of our lives, and the realm of cinema is no exception. Celebrated actress Janhvi Kapoor believes that this period of disruption has necessitated a significant recalibration within the industry, particularly with how audiences consume and engage with films.
In an engaging conversation with PTI, Janhvi highlighted the pressing need for producers and audiences alike to extend more robust support to mid-range films. “The shift in the way the audience is consuming cinema post the pandemic has forced us to recalibrate a little bit. It is a good time,” said the 27-year-old actor, who is eagerly anticipating the release of her new film “Mr & Mrs Mahi”.
Janhvi, widely recognized for her diversity in roles, pointed out that not every film needs to be a blockbuster or tentpole production. “For mid-range films to get their due, they need to be incentivised by producers as not all movies need to be tentpole cinema,” she noted. Her upcoming film, a romantic sports drama titled “Mr & Mrs Mahi,” is a testament to her preference for character-driven stories. In this film, she portrays Mahima, a doctor who transforms into a cricketer with the encouragement of her husband Mahendra, played by Rajkummar Rao, who recognizes her cricketing prowess and becomes her coach.
Reuniting with director Sharan Sharma, who directed her in “Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl,” Janhvi expressed her enthusiasm for projects that resonate with heartfelt storytelling. “As actors, you crave and itch to do films or tell stories like ‘Mr & Mrs Mahi,’ so I hope people lap it up and enjoy it and we get to make more such films,” she expressed hopefully.
When questioned about her concerns regarding the box office performance of her films, Janhvi struck a philosophical note. She believes that every film ultimately finds its audience and achieves what it is destined to. “Eventually, what’s meant to happen with a film always happens and it might not be what you expect but it will be what a film deserves. Every film has a destiny. Sometimes you don’t get what you hope out of a film,” she explained.
Reflecting on her personal journey in the industry, Janhvi acknowledges the challenges of overcoming preconceived notions associated with her background. As the daughter of the late star Sridevi and producer Boney Kapoor, she feels fortunate to have had opportunities in Hindi cinema.
. However, her goal has always been to break the stereotypes tied to her privileged upbringing. “If there was any obstacle and resistance, it would be things like people’s perception and preconceived notions, and the baggage that one attributes to someone they think comes from a place of privilege,” she shared. She emphasized the importance of encouraging people to unlearn these perceptions and to view her work independently of these biases.
The discussion also touched upon the broader industry concerns, particularly in the wake of consecutive failures of big-budget movies. With growing conversations around actors’ fees and the expenses of their entourage, Janhvi believes in open dialogue and adjustments to ensure the feasibility of film projects. “Our priority is to make a good film, the best way that it can be made and if something is proving to be a burden on the producer’s head, I’m sure we’ll make a concession,” she said.
Her dedication to her craft is evident in her preparation for “Mr & Mrs Mahi.” Janhvi faced multiple injuries while learning to play cricket for the role, an endeavor she feels was worth the effort. “I had two injuries, which forced me to not do anything for three months, so that added to the time. It was an overall process of two years,” she revealed. Despite the challenges, she has mastered playing the cover drive, a sophisticated cricketing shot, and expressed satisfaction with her progress. “At the beginning, it took time, but I felt I was making good progress and was hitting 500 balls a day,” she said.
Produced by Zee Studios and Dharma Productions, “Mr & Mrs Mahi” is set to hit theaters on Friday, promising audiences a heartfelt story of dreams, determination, and the love for the game.
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