Janhvi Kapoor Talks Spy Thriller ‘Ulajh,’ NTR Jr and Ram Charan Films: ‘Cinema at Its Best’ (EXCLUSIVE)

As a huge fan of Janhvi Kapoor, I am absolutely thrilled to see her taking on new challenges and pushing herself as an actor with her latest project, “Ulajh.” Her dedication to her craft is truly inspiring. The way she spoke about her extensive preparation process for the role, from acting workshops to immersing herself in the script, shows a level of commitment that is rare among actors, especially those in their early careers.


Janhvi Kapoor, a popular Bollywood actress, will make her debut in an espionage thriller titled “Ulajh.” This film is being directed by Sudhanshu Saria, who is known for his independent projects, marking his first venture into commercial cinema.

Created by Junglee Pictures, the movie tells the story of a promising young Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, portrayed by Kapoor, who unknowingly gets drawn into a perilous conspiracy during his diplomatic assignment.

In a conversation with EbMaster, Kapoor shared her detailed preparation for the role, involving a nine-day acting session led by Atul Mongia and 15 days dedicated to script readings with Saria. She expressed that this experience significantly influenced her perspective on her acting profession, stating, “It truly transformed my approach to my art.” Subsequently, Kapoor took a break of around ten to twelve days prior to the shoot, immersing herself in the script at home for better comprehension and familiarity.

The actor mentioned that Saria urged her to step away from what he perceived as a submissive, agreeable attitude. According to Kapoor, he aimed to help her assert herself in arguments without losing her identity or appearing weak. This method was distinct from her past acting roles and personal habits.

As a cinema enthusiast, I’ve come to realize that there’s a part of me that feels slightly self-conscious about my background. In an attempt to make up for this, I tend to approach situations in a way that aims to please others. This was something noted by Saria, a character I portrayed in a film. Unlike me, she isn’t hesitant to share her opinions and knows how to assert herself. She handles male egos with confidence and determination.

When creating the role of an IFS officer, Kapoor emphasized mental readiness over physical conditioning. She explained, “I aimed to undergo the same type of training that Suhana, my character, might have experienced in her past. When confronted with challenging, physically taxing scenarios, I adopted the perspective of Suhana, who lacks any prior combat experience.”

Kapoor attempted to modify her vocal delivery, following Saria’s guidance of “not girl, woman.” She expressed the desire for a more authoritative tone and less timid demeanor. Admittedly, she felt apprehensive about how this change would be perceived. “In the movie,” she explained, “I’ve experimented with a new voice. I’m unsure if people will even notice or if it will matter. But it was an attempt.”

The actor expressed her enthusiasm for the teamwork aspect of the project, sharing that she felt more engaged than in past productions. “I’ve rarely felt such a strong connection and investment in a film as I have now,” Kapoor shared. “The team truly made me feel valued and given the opportunity to contribute, which is an incredible sensation. I’ve never had this level of ownership or influence over every aspect of the production before.”

Janhvi Kapoor Talks Spy Thriller ‘Ulajh,’ NTR Jr and Ram Charan Films: ‘Cinema at Its Best’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Starting from her first appearance in “Dhadak” in 2018, Ananya Kapoor has risen as one of Bollywood’s rising stars, demonstrating her acting range in films such as “Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl,” a biopic about the Indian Air Force, and the horror-comedy “Roohi.” In 2022, Kapoor took on challenging roles with the survival thriller “Mili” where she portrayed a woman trapped in a freezer, and the black comedy crime film “Good Luck Jerry,” which is a Hindi adaptation of the Tamil hit “Kolamaavu Kokila.”

In “Mr. and Mrs. Mahi,” directed by Kapoor and co-starring Rajkummar Rao, the story revolves around cricket. To prepare for her role, Kapoor went through rigorous training in the sport. Furthermore, she has expanded her acting horizon into streaming media with projects such as “Ghost Stories” on Netflix. Daughter of the late Sridevi, Kapoor has strived to establish herself independently within the film industry by tackling various roles and teaming up with both established and upcoming filmmakers.

At present, Kapoor is completing her initial Telugu film, “Devara,” collaborating with NTR Jr. from “RRR,” and shooting a romantic comedy named “Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari” with Varun Dhawan. Furthermore, she’s about to initiate the production of a project alongside Ram Charan, known as “RC 16” from “RRR.” Regarding her upcoming projects, Kapoor expressed, “Devara” and “RC 16″ are truly exceptional films. They cannot be categorized into one particular genre. Instead, they represent the pinnacle of cinematic art.”

Considering the shifting preference in Indian cinema’s box office scene towards storyline rather than grandeur in 2023, Kapoor underlined the significance of eliciting an emotional response from the viewers instead of being fixated on the budget. “Indian moviegoers have consistently valued films that evoke an emotional connection, regardless of their genre or commercial appeal,” she stated. “Even mass or commercially-oriented movies carry a thought or a potential thought that can strike a chord with their audience.”

Kapoor pointed out how global content has shaped Indian audiences’ preferences. She remarked, “Over the past few years, Indians have been exposed to an abundance of international films, art, and shows due to the surge in digital media. I believe this exposure may have slightly influenced their taste.”

“Ulajh” releases worldwide theatrically on Aug. 2.

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2024-07-25 10:17