Latest news with #ZahanKapoor


Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
The ‘nepo babies' who are making a mark on stage away from the paparazzi buzz
MUMBAI: You'd be hard-pressed to find two young artists more steeped in the Bollywood showbiz tradition than Aditya Rawal and Zahan Kapoor. One is the son of veteran actor Paresh Rawal and actress and former Miss India Swaroop Sampat. The other is a scion of the first family of Bollywood, the son of actor-director Kunal Kapoor and grandson of Shashi Kapoor. In a more predictable version of this story, they would have followed the usual 'star kid' trajectory—carefully orchestrated paparazzi buzz, glowing magazine cover stories, followed by a big-budget launch vehicle. Mumbai, India - July 19, 2025: Zahan Kapoor & Aditya Rawal pose for the photos at Juhu in Mumbai, India, on Friday, July 18, 2025. (Photo by Satish Bate/ Hindustan Times) (Hindustan Times) But these are not your typical nepo babies. Instead of chasing the limelight, they took a slower, off-beat path, honing their chops on the theatre circuit and working behind-the-scenes jobs in the film and ad industries before debuting on the big screen. They've both now acted in major film and streaming projects —'Faraaz', 'Aar Ya Paar', 'Black Warrant'— but the theatre stage remains their favourite proving ground, and one they keep returning to. So when we sat down for a chat over coffee at Juhu's Prithvi Theatre, ahead of a staging of their critically acclaimed co-production 'Siachen', I just had to ask. With names that could open all sorts of doors, why focus on theatre? 'The credit goes to our fathers, who have both kept their ties to theatre alive,' says Kapoor. 'So it wasn't really something unusual for us to continue. In fact, it would be more unusual for us to disconnect from it completely.' Theatre is more than just an artistic choice, Kapoor adds. It's part of his inheritance. He practically grew up in the corridors of Prithvi Theatre, a Mumbai arts institution that his family has nurtured for generations. Over the past decade, he's worn almost every hat there—from logistics and administration to design, programming and marketing. 'I think that it has been the single most incredible opportunity for me to put myself in the shoes of so many aspects of this world,' he says. 'It's the main reason why I love theatre so much.' Rawal too grew up with theatre as a big part of his life. As a child, he and his brother would hang out at his parents' rehearsals. Even the family's vacations would often be bundled along with his father's theatre tours. But his first love was football. He was captain of the Mumbai University Football team, and was selected for the Nationals camp twice. He picked up writing as something he did when he wasn't training. 'You have a lot of time to yourself. You're resting physically, but your mind is always at work,' he says. 'So, you're reading stuff, sometimes you're writing stuff. And then there arrived a fork in the road where I had to choose which one to do.' Rawal chose writing, and hasn't looked back since. He studied dramatic writing at New York's Tisch School of Arts, and wrote for Ashutosh Gowariker's 2019 film 'Panipat', before making his acting debut a year later in Ranjan Chandel's 'Bumfaad'. 'I think acting also sort of came hand in hand,' he says. 'I've always seen them as complementary to each other. One doesn't really get in the way of the other.' The two first met in 2019, when Kapoor made his theatre acting debut in Makrand Deshpande's 'Pitanjali Please'. Soon after, they were both cast in Hansal Mehta's 'Faraaz'. But what really got the ball rolling on their creative partnership was COVID-19. 'It was driven completely by convenience,' laughs Kapoor. 'We lived close by, so we could meet during the lockdowns. We both wanted to read, so we'd read together. And then one thing led to another and we told ourselves why not try this?' 'This' was 'Siachen', a survival drama about four Indian soldiers stuck on the Siachen glacier, the world's coldest and harshest battlefield. An avid reader of military history, Rawal had long been fascinated with the conflict over this inhospitable sheet of ice. 'It's one place, highly contested. Actually, nobody really wants it; but one prevents the other from having it,' he explains. 'There has been a ceasefire for the last 22 years. And still, we have to send our soldiers there.' The sheer absurdity of this scenario—risking lives in a geopolitical one-upmanship—offered Rawal a great jumping off point to explore the tensions between notions of duty and belief, and the human will to survive. 'What interests me always is the absurdity of life,' he says. 'The contradictions of human nature. And I think they were presented in high contrast here. And with massive stakes.' Rawal travelled to Ladakh, visiting the base camp and speaking with soldiers, officials and locals for research, before writing the first draft of the play. During their COVID lockdown reading sessions, he shared it with Kapoor, who jumped at the opportunity to help bring it to life. 'I loved the idea that it was first and foremost a story that was ours, based on our shared contemporary history,' says Kapoor. 'It has drama, character nuance and detail, as well as topical thematic ideas. So it was a no-brainer. We were also reading other writers' work at the time, thinking of how to adapt them. But then I said 'why bother adapting when you've got an original?'' They spent months working together on the script, passing ideas back and forth. Kapoor suggested that they change the language from English to Hindi—it was translated by Raghav Dutt—which Rawal credits with making the play feel much more authentic and accessible. 'Siachen' finally premiered at Prithvi Theatre in 2023, directed by theatre veteran Makrand Deshpande and featuring an ensemble cast including Kapoor, Niketan Sharma and Chittransh Pawar. As first-time producers under their banner 72° East, the two found themselves balancing rehearsals with budgeting, logistics and last-minute problem-solving. The leadup to the opening run was so stressful that Rawal, who chose not to act in order to avoid being overwhelmed, would wake up in the middle of the night shouting about set safety or script changes. 'What helped us is the fact that growing up we got a window into the work that happens behind the scenes,' says Rawal. 'You realise that the show is just the culmination—there's a whole iceberg beneath the surface. That really informed our process.' Through it all, their creative dynamic has remained rooted in mutual respect, aided by an easy camaraderie – they finish each other's sentences and gently rib each other. 'We did everything together, both on the creative end and the production end,' says Rawal. 'We understand there's a fluidity to the process, and we jump in wherever the other person cannot be.' Since its 2023 premiere, 'Siachen' has toured across the country with over 35 shows across cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Goa, Surat and Ahmedabad. They've faced plenty of hiccups along the way—an actor dropping out weeks before the premiere, a key prop disappearing from storage last week—but they and their team have remained steadfast. 'They've been absolute troopers,' says Kapoor. 'Theatre demands so much soul from you, and our team has given it everything.' That sense of collective ownership is central to the 72° East ethos. 'There's no monetary gain, and even the strategic gain is so notional,' says Kapoor. 'But they still put so much time and effort into it. That generosity of spirit—that's what theatre teaches you.' The duo are already developing their next play, tentatively titled 'The Queen'. Set in a fictional 16th-century kingdom, it will tackle contemporary moral dilemmas through a historical lens. 'It's the story of a king and a queen and these big lofty worlds,' says Rawal. 'But if you boil it down to its essence, it's about the decisions that you and I also have to make in our lives. The form may vary—film, theatre, maybe even a novel—but our goal [with 72° East] remains the same. To tell stories that are relevant to our times.'


Time of India
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Aditya Rawal and Zahan Kapoor on Siachen: Theatre is dynamic and fluctuating
Aditya Rawal and Zahan Kapoor revisit 'Siachen,' a play exploring the emotional and creative depths of soldiers on the icy frontlines. Guided by Makarand Deshpande, they've refined the production based on audience feedback and personal artistic growth over two years. The play delves into themes of war, inner conflict, nationalism, duty, and identity, aiming for a sharper, more layered experience. As Siachen returns to stage this week, writer-actor Aditya Rawal and lead performer Zahan Kapoor, reflect on the emotional and creative journey behind the play that explores the icy frontlines of war and inner conflicts of soldiers. With new edits and deeper insights gained over two years of performances, the duo, guided by director Makarand Deshpande , promise a sharper and more layered experience, shaped as much by the audience reactions as by their own artistic evolution in the last two years. Excerpts from the conversation… Siachen is being staged again. What does it mean to both of you to return to this play now, and what can audiences expect this time around? Aditya Rawal: The play has been running for two years now, so every time we get together it feels like a homecoming, especially at Prithvi Theatre. This time around, we have made some new additions and edits, so the audience can expect a sharper, more engaging experience. Also, when it comes to theatre, actors and the technicians keep discovering things in a play - so they keep getting better. For example, when Al Pacino played Richard III, it was only after about 80 performances that he figured out how to utter one of the character's most famous lines, "A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!'. Zahan Kapoor: It's always a pleasure to return to the rehearsal room and even more so when we are prepping for shows at Prithvi. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Before Dying, My Husband Said, I'm Sorry. I Asked For What. You'll See. Then This Happened Novelodge Undo With each successive run, the learning has been incredible and a true testimony to how endless the process of discovery can be. I'd hope audiences are as intrigued as we are into the story, the characters and the presentation we have put together. Aditya, what was the initial spark behind writing Siachen? Did any particular incident, news story, or personal reflection set this story in motion? Aditya Rawal: As a keen student of military history, I was always fascinated by the Siachen Glacier, the coldest, highest battlefield on earth, where there has been a ceasefire since 2003. And yet, the best soldiers of India and Pakistan are deployed there to face the greatest enemy of all, mother nature. The sole deterrent to vacating our respective positions is the fear that the other will occupy it immediately after, thereby gaining the strategic high ground. To me, this conflict is emblematic of war, in general, and of all human conflict that stems from distrust. It is an absurd and tragic conflict, but the play asks: Is it also necessary? Zahan, how did you first come on board for Siachen? What about the script or character immediately spoke to you? Zahan Kapoor: Aditya and I were trying to make the most of our time during the second lockdown of the pandemic where we would read and discuss plays. Aditya mentioned that he had developed this story while he was in drama school and we decided to have a read. One thing lead to another, but it seemed like the perfect fit. A homegrown story, set against a unique backdrop and intimate so we could attempt to make it into something real. Working with Makarand Deshpande, what was special? Aditya Rawal: Makarand Deshpande is the director and guiding light of our play. The joy, freedom and lack of fear with which he approaches the creative process really stood out for me. Our cast and crew are all in their 20's or early 30's yet he always felt like the youngest person in the room. Working with him has shaped not only the play, but also all of us as artists. Zahan Kapoor: Mak sir is an incredible source of inspiration. I admire his sense of playfulness most of all, and then it's his sense of discipline and dedication. He has decades of experience and understands so many aspects of the theatre, it's truly amazing. Having him guide us as we searched for meaning and impact has been a pleasure and a privilege. Aditya, how did you strike a balance between the play's physical setting—the cold, isolating glacier—and the internal worlds of the characters? Aditya Rawal: The ideal is to be both immersive and engaging. You want the audience to believe in the world you create and be fully involved in it while telling them a story that is emotionally moving. The research I had done allowed me to feel secure in my knowledge of the world so I could focus completely on the characters and their journeys. If you understand both facets well enough, then the world invariably affects the characters and you're able to figure out how they would react in the given situation too. That said, you can never really know a world or people to the fullest - and our play reflects that sense of surrender as well. Zahan, coming from a rich legacy of theatre and film, what excites you about working in a contemporary original play like Siachen? Do you approach it differently than your other roles? Zahan Kapoor: I honestly try to approach all roles in a similar way. I'm very proud that we have presented an original story, and along side a very interesting cast and crew. It's our first step into building our own repertoire. Theatre is live, raw, and unpredictable. Were there any performances or rehearsals that stood out—either because they were challenging or unexpectedly moving? Aditya Rawal: The early rehearsals were challenging because we were trying to figure out the shape of the play. Then, with two weeks to go the actor in one of the lead parts had to drop out. Niketan Sharma stepped in and, guided by Makarand Sir, breathed life into the character superbly despite the shortage of time. So, basically the entire rehearsal process was memorable to me! As for shows, the two we performed in front of a packed audience at the Kamani Auditorium in Delhi; first at the biggest theatre festival in the world, NSD's Bharat Rang Mahotsav, and the month after at the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards. Zahan Kapoor: Oh there's been so many, it's hard to choose! It's a wonderful feeling to make breakthroughs in rehearsal and equally, it's crushing yet deeply essential, to hit blocks and feel stuck too. Theatre really keeps your ego in check, it'll you get too carried away with 'getting it right' you'll quickly find yourself in a fix. It compels you to let go of expectations and discover afresh every time. Has the audience response from the earlier shows influenced the way you're approaching this restaging? Have any reactions stayed with you? Aditya Rawal: Absolutely. A play is an ever shifting, ever changing thing. Everything, even the actor's mood on the day, influences the nature of a performance. The reactions that are most dear to us are of the members of the armed forces that have come to watch our play, especially the ones that have served on the glacier and other high-altitude regions. When they say that the play reflects the experiences they had whilst serving - it makes everything we do feel worth it. Zahan Kapoor: Yes I think there have been many things we have learned from audience reactions, maybe some edits, maybe some clarifications; all in all, this is part of the beauty of theatre, its dynamic and fluctuating. We needn't try to fix it too much. Siachen touches on ideas of nationalism, duty, and identity. In today's climate, do you feel these themes are being received differently or more urgently? Aditya Rawal: Certainly. Because these themes are talked about more often and in greater depth, people have begun to appreciate the nuances of every difficult situation; the fact that nothing is truly black and white. Of course, there has been a regrettable swing the other way too, and telling stories like Siachen is our way to reveal aspects of humanity that are often ignored in conflict situations. Zahan Kapoor: It may seem so, there's definitely a sense of immediacy to some of the ideas, especially considering our recent conflict. Beyond simple arguments though, is always a deeply felt experience of loss, triumph, meaning and purpose. It all comes down to the clash of ideas and human emotions, that part is probably eternal.


Time of India
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Black Warrant Season 2 OTT Release Update: When and where to expect return of Zahan Kapoor and Rahul Bhat's show
Black Warrant Season 2 OTT Release Update: If you thought the first chapter was intense, get ready, the prison gates are opening again. Netflix's gritty jailhouse drama Black Warrant is coming back for Season 2, and yes, Zahan Kapoor and Rahul Bhat are returning to take us deeper into the terrifying, true-to-life world behind Tihar Jail's walls. The series was officially renewed on 28th May, 2025. What went down in Black Warrant Season 1? Adapted from the book Black Warrant: Confessions of a Tihar Jailer by Sunil Gupta and Sunetra Choudhury, Season 1 gave us a raw, dramatised look inside one of India's most notorious prisons. It went deeper into the psyches of both inmates and those who guard them. Zahan Kapoor played Sunil Kumar Gupta, a young officer walking into the chaos of Tihar with hopes of making a difference. Rahul Bhat portrayed a senior jail official whose moral compass was constantly tested. The show didn't flinch from showing brutality, injustice, survival politics, and even brief flickers of hope in the darkest corners of the system. From power dynamics to quiet moments of vulnerability, Season 1 was a rare, bold piece of Indian storytelling. Rather than glamorising crime, it made you sit in your discomfort. So, what's the word on Black Warrant Season 2? Here's the good news: Netflix, along with creators Vikramaditya Motwane, Applause Entertainment, and Confluence Media, have confirmed that Black Warrant will return for Season 2. There's no official date yet, but if we go by the production pace and Netflix's schedule pattern, late 2025 to early 2026 is the most likely window for its return. Season 1 dropped on 10th January this year. Vikramaditya Motwane, the man who gave us Sacred Games and Udaan, is at the helm again. And that's a reason alone to watch. Backing him are Applause Entertainment and Confluence Media, known for championing bold, original Indian content. Sounds exciting? Drop your thoughts @indiatimes.


Pink Villa
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Bollywood Newswrap, May 28: More legal trouble for Akshay Kumar's Hera Pheri 3 to Tiger Shroff, Janhvi Kapoor's next getting title
From the renewal of Black Warrant Season 2 and The Royals Season 2 to fresh legal troubles for Akshay Kumar and Hera Pheri 3, here's a quick recap of everything that made headlines today. 1. Jailer sahab returns: Netflix renews Zahan Kapoor's Black Warrant for Season 2, here's what to expect in gritty crime drama Zahan Kapoor is all set to reprise his role as the intense Jailer Sahab in the much-anticipated second season of Black Warrant. Netflix confirmed the news on its official Instagram handle, igniting enthusiasm among fans. Zahan earned acclaim from both critics and viewers for his commanding performance in Season 1, and his return promises to bring more depth and intensity to the gripping series. 2. Ishaan Khatter, Bhumi Pednekar return for The Royals S2—Netizens clash over their chemistry and demand new female lead The Royals, featuring Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar, premiered on Netflix on May 9 and received mixed critical reception. With Netflix recently confirming a second season, audiences are now divided over Ishaan and Bhumi's on-screen chemistry and the addition of a new female lead. 3. Hera Pheri 3: More legal trouble for Akshay Kumar? Mystery deepens over film's rights after Paresh Rawal's exit Hera Pheri 3 grabbed attention after Paresh Rawal's exit, sparking controversies and a Rs 25 crore lawsuit by the producers, as confirmed by Akshay Kumar's banner. Amid reports that Firoz Nadiadwala still holds the film's rights, director Priyadarshan refuted them, revealing Akshay had shown him the legal documents. 4. EXCLUSIVE: Tiger Shroff and Janhvi Kapoor's next with Raj Mehta and Karan Johar titled Lag Jaa Gale inkvilla has exclusively learnt that Raj Mehta has locked the script of his next, and the film will feature the first-time pairing of Tiger Shroff and Janhvi Kapoor. The movie will be titled Lag Jaa Gale. 5. Housefull 5: Sajid Nadiadwala's 30-year-old idea behind Akshay Kumar-led film's double endings? Truth revealed At the trailer launch of Housefull 5, producer Sajid Nadiadwala revealed that the concept of multiple endings had been on his mind for nearly three decades. He reflected on his long-standing curiosity about creating a thriller with an unpredictable twist, where the identity of the villain would remain concealed until the climax, leaving audiences surprised.


Mint
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Netflix drops BIG update: ‘Black Warrant', ‘The Royals', ‘Mismatched', more to return with new seasons; details here
Netflix on Wednesday took to Instagram and shared a new poster of of Zahan Kapoor with fans, while announcing the second season of Black Warrant. Apart from it, Mismatched, Maamla Legal Hai and The Royals are other shows set to return with next seasons. 'Welcome to Season 2, Jailer sahab. Black Warrant Season 2 is coming soon, only on Netflix,' the caption stated. 'The love and appreciation we've received for Black Warrant has been overwhelming and deeply encouraging. Collaborating with Netflix, Applause Entertainment, and Confluence Media to bring Sunil Gupta's unique perspective and powerful story to life has been an incredibly fulfilling journey,' Creator-director Vikramaditya Motwane stated the feedback of Season 1, which was released on January 10, 2025. He added, "We're grateful to Sunil for trusting us with his story, and to our stellar cast and crew for bringing such heart and conviction to this world. We can't wait for audiences to see what's in store for Season 2, as we dive deeper into the human stories, moral complexities, and raw realities of life inside Tihar.' 'Mismatched', the beloved slice-of-life romance that has been on the platform for five years, is set to return for its fourth and final season. When it comes to Maamla Legal Hai, filming for Season 2 is underway, promising more chaos and quirky legal battles. The fan-favourite legal team, featuring Ravi Kishan, Naila Grewal, Nidhi Bisht, and Anant Joshi—is making a return. Joining them this season are Dinesh Lal Yadav, popularly known as Nirahua, and the ever-entertaining Kusha Kapila. The Royals Season 1 made waves as the first Indian series to break into Netflix's Global Top 10 Non-English TV Shows, trending in 58 countries. Season 2 is set to raise the stakes with even more intrigue, drama, and unexpected twists. 'Some stories are built with a long arc in mind from the start, while others earn that next chapter through the love they receive after release. Sometimes we wait to see how it lands before greenlighting the next season, and other times, we know right away that we want to continue the journey. Either way, our aim is to honour both the creator's vision and the audience's emotional investment,' HT quoted Tanya Bami, Series Head—Netflix India, as saying. "We are thrilled to bring back Mismatched for its fourth and final season, making it one of our longest-running fan favourite shows from India," Tanya added. Fans are often curious when their favourite show will come back soon but it takes long sometimes. Tanya said they are 'committed to bring back' next seasons in nearly "18 to 24 months from the previous one". 'Of course, we want to bring stories back as soon as we can, but we also want to make sure that when we do, it's worth the wait. There is an expectation along with that anticipation, and it is something we take very seriously with our partners in every aspect of designing a returning season. The conflict, the characters, raising the stakes season on season, isn't easy, and we want to give our creators the intentionality to bring their best to the fans! Yet we are committed to bringing back our subsequent seasons in about 18 to 24 months from the previous one,' Tanya mentioned.