Shanaya Kapoor on first film getting shelved: Was my biggest love and heartbreak

India Today

15-07-2025

Sanjay Kapoor and Maheep Kapoor's daughter, Shanaya Kapoor, has finally made her big-screen debut with Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan. The love story, which also stars Vikrant Massey, released on Friday and has garnered somewhat positive feedback for the newcomer. However, many will remember that the actor was originally set to make her Bollywood debut with Dharma Productions' Bedhadak.In an exclusive chat with India Today, Shanaya recalled how the film was shelved months after being announced, an experience that broke her heart beyond measure. She also shared how it was her parents' pearls of wisdom that helped her overcome the situation.advertisementSpeaking about how the development affected her, Shanaya Kapoor said that while it was painful, it also helped her grow as an artist. She even joked that her first film was both her greatest love and her biggest heartbreak. 'I don't think any boy, or anyone, is going to be able to break my heart the way I felt it then. That was my biggest love, and my biggest heartbreak at that time,' she shared with a smile.
Elaborating on how it changed her perspective on the profession and the industry, the 25-year-old said, 'I feel it was a very important phase for me to go through. Having said that, I am fully aware that, of course, these opportunities have come to me much more easily. Even after going through that setback, it has still been easier. I have still had access, which is very important. I think it is my responsibility to never take advantage of that and instead earn my place in the industry through hard work and honest choices. That will only eventually lead to audiences' acceptance.'Shanaya added that she channelled these learnings into portraying her character, Saba, in Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan. She said, 'That phase taught me about the unpredictability of this industry, the setbacks, how you can have a script in your hand one day and it can disappear the next. I have learnt the value of a script; aur script ki izzat karna (respecting the script) and also the importance of trusting the universe. Everyone's journey is different. Trust that. Have faith, and keep moving forward. Good things will happen if you are a good person and if you work hard. And now, finally, three to four years later, here I am chatting with you, making my debut with Vikrant in such a beautiful film.'Given that she comes from a family full of actors, we wondered if someone in particular had said something that helped her cope with the disappointment. The debutant surprised us by sharing that it was actually her mother Maheep Kapoor whose words she still holds close to her heart.'My mom told me, 'Shanaya, what is in your control is your work and your hard work. Trust the universe because it has its own path. Trust God, He knows better. He is guiding you to something better. I am sorry, as a mom I cannot give you all the answers, but trust the journey and have faith,'' Shanaya said in an emotional tone.advertisementShe added that her father also encouraged her to keep pushing herself as an artist so that she would be ready when the right time came. 'He told me that maybe you are not getting the chance to face the camera or perform, but if you love your craft, then do it in front of an audience. Pick a scene from any film and go perform. So once a week, I started going to the actors' room, where you get to perform in front of 30 to 40 people and they give you feedback. You also see other theatre students and their style. It not only kept my mind busy and disciplined but also helped me learn.'Even before her first release, Shanaya Kapoor has already secured three more projects: Mohanlal's Vrusshabha, Bejoy Nambiar's Tu Yaa Main with Adarsh Gourav, and Shujaat Saudagar's JC with Abhay Verma - all set to release over the next year.- EndsYou May Also Like