Shraddha Kapoor at SCREEN relaunch: ‘It’s fabulous to give a woman strength in her choti’

Stree 2 has notched up a revenue of Rs 600 crore and counting. What worked for it?

When Stree happened about six years ago, Maddock Films was a new production house. When they came to me with the script, I was genuinely laughing at the dialogues and the scenes. My character comes and goes and you’re constantly wondering about her presence. The love that the first part got was immense. It began there. Hats off to our producer, writers and director. We had brilliant actors, it was a team effort and pure cinematic joy.

Read more – At the SCREEN launch, Shraddha Kapoor settles ‘who’s responsible for Stree 2 success’ debate; confirms Stree 3 is in the works

Stree is a powerful statement in a world of Singham, Jawaan, Pathan and Tiger. What do you think this success signifies?

I think it signifies a very simple thing – a good film always works. The audience only cares about that now. And that should motivate all of us to not take anything for granted and make good films.

But what about its feminist narrative? One of my favourite scenes in the film is you beating up the demon while the men cower behind you.

The imagination of the writers! It’s fabulous to give a woman strength in her choti. I just thought it was genius. Even at home, I would walk around with my choti and tell others to beware.

You have had a rocky start to your career and then came pop culture hits like Aashiqui 2, Haider, Chhichhore, Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar. What is lonelier, success or failure?

I believe that failure is supremely essential towards success. It is a big teacher but also a part of life. Every day, I’m grateful for where I am. My dad came from a non-film family and his stories of coming from Delhi are incredible. My dadaji had a textile store but he allowed my father to work where he wished. My dad joined a travel agency but he wanted to act. So, he hopped on a train and came to Bombay. These stories really make me want to keep my head down because my dad made it from scratch and on his own. I have had a fabulous support system at home. If you have your closest ones with you, you will be OK on your journey.

You have another family – 93.6 million followers on Instagram! How difficult is it to stay relevant because trends change fast and you are a full-time actor?

I do a lot of masti (have fun) on Instagram. I meet interesting people who comment on my posts. There is such creativity in some comments that I automatically feel I must reply. I handle my own social media, so the entire credit goes to everybody who comments on my posts.

At this stage of your career, what’s your no-go area?

I believe that my best is yet to come. A film must have something riveting for me as an actor and must subliminally pass on a message to the audience. There was a time when I was doing films back-to-back and now it’s the opposite. I find comfort in that.

How would Shraddha behave if she were to deal with situations her characters face in her films. In Aashiqui 2, a clingy boyfriend is threatened by your success. How will you react in such a scenario?

Rahul Jaykar’s character (Aditya Roy Kapur) had an alcohol problem. If I met a character like that (I would) run for life, run in the other direction, look for an exit.

What if you are, like in Chhichhore, an outsider in a boys’ club?

I wouldn’t be an outsider. I would be their buddy. In school, I have always been one of the boys.

In Half Girlfriend, you have commitment issues. But what about real life, do you have commitment issues?

I am that ‘need full fairy tale romance in life’ kind of person, so no half-girlfriend business for me.

In Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar, the girl wants a healthy distance from her family but she is in love with a boy who wants her to live in a joint family.

That’s tricky. You see, I live with my family. I love living with my family. We have this system at home where we have made DND signs on paper. Whenever anybody wants space from each other, that sign goes up outside our rooms. So the rule is that only if it is an emergency, can you bang on the door or scream and shout. If not, then just wait until that sign is taken down.

Lastly, growing up in a family of actors, was it strange sometimes or were you comfortable with the attention?

In school, everyone would say, ‘Shakti Kapoor ki beti hai, pata hai. Bade villain hai woh, sambhal ke rehna (Do you know she is Shakti Kapoor’s daughter? He plays the villain. Stay clear of her)’. I walked with a chip on my shoulder. Also, with my aunt (actor Padmini Kolhapure) and grandfather (musician Pandharinath Kolhapure), I grew up in a very creative environment. But I have always had friends who are not from the industry. So, I’ve never felt like I am from a film family.

Shraddha Kapoor is the first digital cover star of SCREEN.

Rapid Fire

Anant Goenka: How has social media helped you professionally and has it caused trouble at

any point?

Professionally, it has been a fabulous medium to connect with my fans. Over the years, we have formed this bond, which is very precious. The way I interact with my Instagram family has only been positive.

The one thing that has changed for the better in cinema over the past 14 years of your career.

The one thing that has changed for the better — more opportunities to do different kinds of cinema, to experiment more and think out of the box…Also, I’m earning more today than I was 14 years ago.

What scares you and what excites you about artificial intelligence (AI) in cinema?

The deep fakes are already there, right? There’s some action being taken. But I feel if AI can be used in a positive way, it can enhance the cinematic experience for the audience.

Also read – Shraddha Kapoor says she’d never be a ‘half-girlfriend’, would absolutely reject a toxic-alcoholic partner: ‘I will look for the nearest exit’

It’s much easier now to age you up by 30 years and to make Rajinikanth look like a college student with AI. Do we lose something in the craft with so much technology?

I don’t think so. If you have a film like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, for instance, technology can become a character in itself. So, if you use it creatively, why not?

After Stree 2, do you now believe in ghosts?

I definitely believe that there is a lot out there that we don’t know about.

The last time you unfollowed someone on Instagram?

I do it every now and then because sometimes I accidentally end up following people whom I don’t want to follow.

Your advice to young influencers who aspire to have 93.6 million Instagram followers?

I never imagined that having an X amount of followers would become such a big thing. I feel people out there want to see who you are; so just be yourself. Social media is a place where people feel like they have to change who they are to garner eyeballs and that can put a lot of pressure on you. It can even affect your mental health and well-being. What you see is not what you get, so I would suggest that you be as authentic as possible.

Lastly, is Dhoom 4 happening?

No, I’ve not officially signed any film. I don’t know where these rumours come from. I’ve not been offered most of the films that were assumed to be offered to me.