Talent speaks louder than lineage

When actor Shakti Kapoor’s daughter, Shraddha Kapoor, made her Bollywood debut, she had none other than actors like Amitabh Bachchan and Ben Kingsley for company. Which is probably why the fact that the film did not fair as well as expected is hardly a matter of concern for the newbie.

Adding to her positive approach were a couple of contracts with leading cosmetic brands and a three-film deal that she got signed up for by one of the biggest production houses in Bollywood.

The first in the series, a film called Luv Ka The End, hits the screens today and quite naturally, the actor can’t contain her excitement. “It is an anti-romantic comedy, particularly targeted towards the youth. I play the role of this girl who is in love with Luv, who thinks he is the greatest guy in this world but in reality, is a jerk who breaks her heart. It was easy for me to play my role in this one as like the character in the film, I too am more of a go-getter.”

Did bagging a three-film deal have anything to do with the fact that she is a star kid? “I admit I did not have to struggle as such. I have seen people struggling for years to get themselves one decent role. However, I also feel that the industry is a lot more liberal today and treats people equally, regardless of whether you are a star kid or not. At the end of the day, it is only talent that helps you attract opportunities,” she says. 

Making a debut alongside Shraddha is actor Taaha who plays Luv. “Though Taaha comes with zero film background; he knows his work rather well. He was so prepared for his role that he gave me a complex. Even while on the sets, he would constantly make notes and had tons of post-it notes on his copy of the script. He has a 120% focus and is a fitness freak. In real life, he is poles apart from the character he has played here,” says Shraddha.