Latest news with #VaaniKapoor
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Vaani Kapoor shares struggles of breaking into Bollywood without industry connections: 'Don't have chachas, chachis to root for you...'
Vaani Kapoor shared her struggles as a Bollywood outsider without family support, relying on self-belief and Yash Raj Films' backing. She avoided industry pitfalls like the casting couch, thanks to YRF's professionalism. Vaani's upcoming project is the crime thriller Mandala Murders, where she plays a determined investigative officer. Vaani Kapoor openly discussed her experience entering Bollywood without the advantage of established connections or family backing, highlighting the difficulties she encountered while making her way in the competitive film world. Early Career and Initial Challenges During an interview with Siddharth Kannan, Vaani spoke about the challenges she faced starting her career in 2013 with 'Shuddh Desi Romance', alongside Sushant Singh Rajput and Parineeti Chopra . She emphasized that being an outsider in Bollywood means having to rely heavily on oneself, without the advantage of a strong support system or family connections who would champion your success. She also admitted that networking is not her strong suit, making the journey even more demanding. The Role of Yash Raj Films The actress acknowledges Yash Raj Films, the studio that launched her career, as a pivotal influence in her life. She credits the YRF for believing in her and describes them as a family. According to her, any actor associated with the studio feels secure and supported, as if they are in the right hands. Addressing Difficult Realities Vaani highlighted the darker realities of the film industry, mentioning that she was fortunate to avoid the casting couch, thanks to the professionalism and safe environment provided by Yash Raj Films. She also recalled how Shanoo Sharma reassured her family, easing their concerns about letting her move to a new city to begin her film career. Looking Ahead: 'Mandala Murders' On the work front, Vaani Kapoor's next venture is the crime thriller series 'Mandala Murders', where she takes on the role of a keen investigative officer. Directed by Mardaani's Gopi Puthran and Manan Rawat, the show promises a riveting history centered around a series of unsettling, formal killings.
Hindustan Times
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Vaani Kapoor opens up about surviving Bollywood as an outsider: 'Don't have chachas, chachis to root for you'
In an industry known for its close-knit cliques and family legacies, actor Vaani Kapoor spoke candidly about her journey as an outsider in Bollywood. The War actor opened up about navigating the film industry without the safety net of influential relatives or a support system. Vaani Kapoor credits Yash Raj Films for believing in her and ensuring professionalism in the industry.(PTI) 'You have to be your biggest cheerleader' In an interview with Siddharth Kannan, Vaani, who started her career in 2013 with Shuddh Desi Romance along with Sushant Singh Rajput and Parineeti Chopra, said, "You have to be your biggest cheerleader in this industry. Especially when you are an outsider and don't have a support system. You don't have uncles and aunties and chachas and chachis who care for us and root for us. I'm also bad at networking." Vaani credits Yash Raj Films (YRF), the studio that launched her, for being a game-changer in her life. "The people and the studio that found me — Yash Raj — are the ones who believed in me. They've been like a family. Any actor who signs up with them will vouch for it — you feel protected, like you're in the right hands." She also touched on the industry's darker side, noting that she never experienced the casting couch — something she attributes to the professionalism and security she found at YRF. Talking about Shanoo Sharma, Vaani mentioned how she comforted her family to help them the decision to send their child to a new city and start a career in the film industry. Vaani Kapoor's latest work Vaani Kapoor is gearing up for the release of her latest project, Mandala Murders, a gripping crime thriller series in which she plays a sharp and determined investigative officer. The show, co-directed by Mardaani filmmaker Gopi Puthran and Manan Rawat, delves into a string of chilling, ritualistic murders. According to IMDb, the official synopsis reads: "In a quaint, mysterious town of Charandaspur, where fate, myth, and murder entwine, detectives Rea Thomas and Vikram Singh unravel a chilling conspiracy of ritualistic killings tied to a centuries-old secret society." The ensemble cast also includes Surveen Chawla, Vaibhav Raj Gupta, Shriya Pilgaonkar, and Jameel Khan. Mandala Murders will premiere on Netflix on July 25.
Mint
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Vaani Kapoor breaks silence on Abir Gulaal ban as actress makes OTT debut with Mandala Murders
After a successful run at the box office with Raid 2 earlier this year, Vaani Kapoor is now set to make her debut in the world of streaming with Mandala Murders. While the actor admits she is nervous about stepping into this new space, she's also thrilled to explore a longer narrative format that allows for deeper character development. 'In films, you have only two to three hours where you have to create the arc, establish it and layer out everything in that concise period of time,' Vaani explains. 'I was very intrigued coming into the long format, as it helps you explore as an actor. You get much more leverage to create more nuances, layers and get into the depth of everything.' In Mandala Murders, Vaani plays a detective - a role traditionally associated with a tough and composed image, especially for women on screen. Reflecting on her inspiration and approach to the character, she says, 'All this while, we have seen women in the thriller genre being very strong, well put together, they are assertive and have a certain demenaour. I love that and I have seen that in films like Mardaani over the years in our industry.' However, Vaani wanted to bring something different to her performance. 'I tried to make my character more real and relatable. I wanted to show not just strength but also raw vulnerability as she is fighting her own demons, while trying to be the best in what she is doing. She is a fighter from within, like how women usually are as they have so much strength,' she adds. With Mandala Murders, the actor is excited to show a new side of herself and connect with audiences through a more layered and emotionally rich portrayal.
NDTV
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Why Vaani Kapoor Was Once Rejected For Not Being "Fair Enough"
New Delhi: The film industry has always been put in the spotlight for setting unrealistic beauty standards. One of the actresses to have spoken up recently on the subject is Vaani Kapoor, who is gearing up for the release of her OTT series Mandala Murders. Vaani Kapoor revealed how she was once dropped from a project for not being "fair enough". What's Happening Vaani Kapoor recently revealed an incident where a director had refused to cast her based on her complexion. She told News18 Showsha, "I haven't been told directly, but information reaches me via other people. A filmmaker had once said that I wasn't fair enough to land a role. He said that I wasn't 'milky white'." She added, "I told myself that it is what it is. If that's a requirement, I don't want to be a part of his projects. The feelings are completely mutual there. He can find his milky white beauty or his fair and lovely woman. I know that I can find a better filmmaker for myself. This happened ages ago. And that filmmaker wasn't from Mumbai." Speaking candidly about how, till date, the concept of body-shaming is still prevalent and she faces it, the War actress revealed, "What I hear a lot sometimes is that I'm too skinny and that I should put on some weight because people like women with fuller bodies. But I like me! I don't want to change anything about myself. I'm fit and healthy. I usually don't get bothered by these things. Sometimes, you don't know if such comments are coming from a place of concern or like gold advice. But I think I'm pretty okay and I like who I am." About Mandala Murders Vaani Kapoor plays the role of an investigative officer in Mandala Murders, co-directed by Mardaani fame Gopi Puthran. This crime thriller series highlights a slew of ritualistic killings that take place in the town of Charandaspur. These are connected to some secret society and long-buried prophecies that are centuries old. Surveen Chawla and Vaibhav Raj Gupta also play key roles in Mandala Murders. In A Nutshell Vaani Kapoor shared her experience of still being bodyshamed and how she deals with it. She also spoke about an earlier incident where a director refused to cast her because of her complexion, which was not "fair enough".
India Today
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Vaani Kapoor on criticism: If you've nothing constructive to say, don't say at all
With 'Mandala Murders', Vaani Kapoor ventures into darker, more introspective territory, far from the breezy, glamorous roles that first brought her to the screen. The investigative thriller, created by 'Mardaani 2's Gopi Puthran, blends crime with mythology and introspection with this candid conversation with India Today, Vaani opens up about challenging herself, confronting criticism, learning to let go, and why she still hasn't grown a thick from the interview: Q: To have a project like Mandala Murders as your digital debut, was it a conscious decision to take on something you hadn't been offered in films?I was intrigued by it. I was excited. I was happy that somebody saw that potential in me — to picture me in a role like this and envision me in a universe like Mandala. The story is strong. It's fictional, but it's not just about crime. It's blended with mythology. It leaves you thinking about your belief system, the choices you make, the consequences that follow. I feel everyone has a moment when they reflect, 'This is who I am, this is what I believe in.' I do that all the time.Q: When you wrapped the shoot, what did you learn about yourself — something you didn't know you were capable of?Anything except flying like Superman — that's for CGI! (laughs)! But yes, I realised I love challenging myself. I want to test my limits, find my weaknesses and turn them into strengths. Acting is emotionally and physically exhausting. The backstory work, the performance, the action, it's all-consuming. There was a day I shot for 17 hours straight. I was so tired I couldn't even remember my last scene, and I still had to catch a flight! It's unhealthy, and I wouldn't recommend it but I did it. Because I love it.Q: That kind of pressure and intensity, it can wear you down. What happens on days when it gets too much?I cry. I let it out of my system. I'm a deeply emotional person, but I've learnt to not let it overwhelm me to the point where I can't function. People often tell me, 'You should be thick-skinned by now.' But I'm not. And I don't think I want to be. I take things to heart. I overthink — people who know me will agree! But I also try to understand where I might have gone wrong. I always try to be better than I was yesterday, with whatever bandwidth I And when criticism comes your way, especially in this age where everyone has an opinion, how do you deal with that?If it's constructive, I value it a lot. I ask myself, 'Was I not good enough? Did something not connect?' But you won't get a pat on the back from everyone. With social media, everyone's a reviewer. And that's fair, audiences are paying for a ticket or a subscription. They have a right to be honest. But if someone has nothing constructive to say, I don't think they should say anything at all.I scroll past things I don't agree with. I don't write, 'I hate this' or 'You should disappear.' That kind of negativity, I just don't understand it. How much energy are people willing to spend just to tear someone down?Q: That kind of criticism/trolling, it's exhausting and demoralising. Do you ever find yourself questioning your self-worth because of it?Yes, of course. And I feel bad, not just for myself, but for others too. Everyone's going through something. Anxiety, depression, self-doubt. I don't know anyone who hasn't experienced it and, yet, we do this to each other. We pull each other You said earlier that you were grateful someone saw this side of you with Mandala. Do you ever feel like those kinds of opportunities haven't come often enough?There are days when I wish I was part of something. When I think, 'Why didn't that filmmaker see me in that light?' But I've started leaving that to God. If I deserve it, it'll come to me. If someone else was better for the part, so be it. I've learnt to make the most of what's on my plate. I can't afford to say, 'I don't have that, so I don't want this either.' Maybe it'll take me longer to get where I want to be, but at least I'm moving. I'm not stuck. I'm not going backwards.'Mandala Murders' will premiere on Netflix on July 25, 2025.- EndsMust Watch
