Sanjay Kapoor and Maheep Kapoor recently revealed how their daughter, Shanaya Kapoor, developed an interest in acting. Interestingly, she never formally announced her dream of becoming an actress.
During their appearance on Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi’s Double Date, the couple shared memories from Shanaya’s childhood. They also discussed her admiration for Sonam Kapoor, her acting preparation and her understanding of Bollywood’s challenges.
Sanjay Kapoor Reveals Shanaya’s Early Interest in Acting
Sanjay Kapoor explained that Shanaya’s passion for acting developed naturally. She grew up surrounded by films and actors. Therefore, her interest in cinema never surprised her parents.
“She never came and said, ‘Maa, when I grow up, I want to become an actress.’ It was never like that,” Sanjay shared.
He added that Shanaya’s actions made her ambitions clear over time.
“We knew that Shanaya was inclined towards acting, and she was brought up in that environment,” he explained.
Maheep Kapoor Recalls a Special Childhood Memory
Meanwhile, Maheep Kapoor recalled a memorable incident from Shanaya’s childhood. She took her daughter to the premiere of Saawariya, which marked Sonam Kapoor’s Bollywood debut in 2007.
At the time, Shanaya was very young and wore a lehenga to the event.
After the premiere, the Kapoor family gathered for dinner at the Marriott. However, one particular moment caught Maheep’s attention.
Shanaya began running around in her lehenga, imitating Sonam Kapoor. Looking back, Maheep believes that moment revealed her daughter’s fascination with Bollywood.
“I knew then that she had tasted blood,” Maheep recalled.
Sonam Kapoor Inspired Shanaya’s Bollywood Dreams
Furthermore, Sanjay revealed that Sonam Kapoor played an important role in Shanaya’s childhood.
“She used to look up to her sister, Sonam,” he shared.
Sonam’s entry into Bollywood gave Shanaya someone to admire within her own family. Moreover, she could closely observe her cousin’s journey in the film industry.
As a result, Sonam became an early inspiration for Shanaya’s acting ambitions.
Shanaya Continued Training During COVID-19
However, Shanaya’s interest in acting went beyond watching films and admiring actors.
Sanjay revealed that his daughter worked hard to develop her skills. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, she remained focused on her preparation.
“She is working really hard. Even during COVID, she used to train in belly dancing and work on her diction,” he said.
Dance training helped Shanaya improve her movement and coordination. Meanwhile, diction practice focused on her pronunciation and dialogue delivery.
Therefore, she used the lockdown period to strengthen her acting skills instead of waiting for opportunities.
Sanjay Kapoor Says Shanaya Understands Bollywood’s Challenges
Apart from discussing her preparation, Sanjay also spoke about the challenges of working in Bollywood.
Having experienced different phases of his own career, he understands the industry’s unpredictable nature.
According to him, Shanaya has witnessed both his professional achievements and setbacks.
“She has seen my journey and she knows there are highs and lows,” Sanjay shared.
Consequently, he believes his daughter understands that an acting career involves both success and disappointment.
More Than Just a Bollywood Family Background
Although Shanaya belongs to a well-known film family, her parents highlighted her personal dedication.
Her interest developed through childhood experiences, family celebrations and admiration for Sonam Kapoor.
However, her training and commitment also played an important role.
Sanjay and Maheep’s revelations showed that Shanaya’s acting ambitions were not the result of one sudden decision. Instead, her passion grew gradually as she explored the world of cinema.
Shanaya Kapoor’s Acting Journey Started With Passion
Ultimately, Sanjay Kapoor and Maheep Kapoor’s conversation offered a personal glimpse into their daughter’s early dreams.
From attending the Saawariya premiere to training during lockdown, Shanaya’s journey reflects her long-standing interest in films.
Moreover, her father’s career experiences helped her understand the realities of Bollywood.
For Shanaya Kapoor, acting was never about making a grand announcement. Instead, her passion became clear through her actions, dedication and childhood memories.
What do you think about Shanaya Kapoor’s acting journey and her admiration for Sonam Kapoor? Share your thoughts in the comments!
About the author
Neha Nikharge is Assistant Editor at Awesome TV and a writer for AWSM Times. Neha covers Bollywood, OTT releases, celebrity interviews and pop culture for South Asian audiences in the US and around the world, and has written more than 4,500 stories for Awesome TV. Story tips and corrections: hello@awesometv.com.
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