The actress is touched by the warm reception she has received from journalists, other filmmakers to her much acclaimed performance in director Abhishek Kapoor’s social romantic drama.

By Mayur Lookhar

It is human nature to form an opinion on first impression.  Unfortunately, the first can also turn out to be a lasting impression. Actor Vaani Kapoor had impressed in her maiden film Shudh Desi Romance [2013]. However, she never really lived up to the promise in her subsequent films, some of which were Yash Raj Films Production, the studio that launched her in the industry.

She ventured outside YRF last year, doing couple of films- Pooja Entertainment’s BellBottom, where she had a cliched miniscule role. Just when the knives were beginning to sharpen, Kapoor redeemed herself with director Abhishek Kapoor’s social romantic drama Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui. The film touched upon on sex change, and addressed the social taboos associated with it. Kapoor played the leading character Maanvi, who was born as a boy, but later changed her sex. Maanvi would then fall in love with a stud Manu Munjal [Ayushmann Khurrana]. When the guy proposes marriage, she reveals about her past. That naturally sees the couple drift apart.  Kapoor surprised all with her matured performance.

Like this writer/reporter, Kapoor, too, acknowledged that how for the first time she was taken seriously as an actor. Kapoor’s next is YRF produced period drama Shamshera [2022]. Speaking to journalists in a group interview few weeks ago, Kapoor was asked how her life has changed post Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui?

“I don’t know how it has changed. What I can say and feel is the love from the audience, journalists, when they come to interview me. The industry has given me a little acknowledgment of being an actor. They are seeing me in different light. It motivates me to do better, do more. When others believe in you, you want to have more faith in yourself, push your boundaries and deliver more. I’m just hoping that I get those opportunities. That is all that I look for,” said Kaooor.

The positive feedback to her performance has naturally earned her respect in the industry and similar plum roles being offered to her.

“I have had lot of filmmakers approaching me, especially the ones who have been on my list for a long time. They have given me that acknowledgment as an actor. They did text me or call me, and said that you ere brilliant and you made us cry. I’m so happy that I got to make you cry.  Hopefully, you will see me do films which are also little out of the box.”

Vaani also disclosed how she was weighed down by hero own failures.  Says she, “I never really celebrated my success as much as I have depressed myself over a failure. It is sad. But now I come to think of it, why do we let the good things just pass by. So, from now on I’ve decided that if anything is worth the coloration, I will celebrate to the fullest. When failure hits, it hits hard.”

If Shamshera clicks, then it could be back-to-back celebration for the young actor. Shamshera [2022] is set to be released on 22 July.