“I Am Comfortable Wearing A Bikini And Going To The Beach, Though Wearing A Bikini Is Not Mandatory When You Do A Film”

Jyothi Venkatesh

VAANI KAPOOR celebrated her 32^nd birthday on Sunday 23^rd August 2020. To celebrate her birthday, we atbollyy.com and Mayapuri wish her by reproducing this first and last interview of VAANI KAPOOR by JYOTHI VENKATESH taken seven years ago at Yashraj Studio for the promotions of her debut film Shudh Desi Romance

What is your role in Shudh Desi Romance?

I play the role of a young and bubbly girl called Tara in the film Shudh Desi Romance. Tara is a real girl with whom every viewer will be easily able to relate to. She is a straight forward, sensible and sorted out girl with aspirations. The brief that Maneesh gave me about my character was that Tara hails from Jaipur from a middle class family and is a go- getter, who is very different from the others.

How did you get your break?

It reads like a fairy tale. I used to feel that it is only when you have the right connection that you will get an offer from a big banner but I was proved wrong. I was busy as a model when I got a call from Shanu Sharma, the casting agent from Yashraj Films asking me to come for an audition for the part of Tara. I would not hesitate to say that it is only thanks to the ability of Shanu to spot talent that I am now here in the industry.

Was it easy for you to get into the skin of your character?

I never felt that it would be difficult for me to play the part of Tara as she is different from what I am. I am not like Tara and have very few friends who are even remotely like Tara. I also had absolutely no reference point.  I am very shy and reserved in real life. I have had very less exposure to people in life and am very inexperienced. Maneesh Sharma and Jaideep Sahani discussed with me my role at length and I went on to do the scenes by listening to their instructions. I was even asked to do a lot of impromptu scenes before the film went on the floors to let me gain experience as an actress and It did help me when the film went on the floors, though Maneesh would not let any of us improvise on the sets.

Vaani Kapoor

How was your experience of interacting with Parineeti Chopra?

Parineeti’s and my space were different in the film. Though we were very rarely together in any scene, we were very cordial to each other and chilled out since we belong to the same age group.

How was Maneesh Sharma as a director?

Maneesh Sharma is very focused and clear in his vision as a director. He exactly knows what performance he wants to extract from his actors. I just followed his vision point blank. What I like about Maneesh is that he is very quick about his takes and becomes actually very restless if you give two or three retakes. When I told Maneesh that I was also part of the Tamil remake of his film Band Baaja Baraat in the role that Anushka had essayed in the Hindi original, also made by Yashraj Films, he was very happy for me.

How open are you to the idea of kissing your co-star or appearing in a bikini in any scene in a film?

Though I am comfortable wearing a bikini and going to the beach, I do not think that wearing a bikini is mandatory when you set out to do a film. My parents didn’t bring me up, making me feel that it is a crime to wear short dress.

How nervous are you now when your film Shudh Desi Romance is being slated for release?

I am actually getting numb and am feeling very nervous. I have various feelings. I am also feeling excited. I am waiting to know how people react to my performance especially since I have not done any acting course at all. I have just tried to give acting my best shot

Who are your role models in films?

I would say that I do not have any role models though I like a little bit of each one. I like Madhuri Dixit, Sridevi, Kajol, Rani Mukerjee, Kareena, Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence etc, because each one has inspired me in some way or the other as actors.

Is it true that you are also working in a Tamil film?

Yes. I am working in the Tamil film which is as of now untitled. It is the remake of Yashraj's  hit Band Baaja Baraat which was also directed by Maneesh Sharma. I am playing the role that Anushka Sharma had done in the Hindi original whereas Naani who had played the lead in Makhi has been cast opposite me in the film.

Who are your favorite directors?

My favorite directors are Rajkumar Hirani, Anurag Kashyap, Anurag Basu and Aditya Chopra.

What next after Shudh Desi Romance?

Right now, besides the Tamil remake of Baand Baaja Baaraat, I do not have any other film. I am keeping my fingers crossed because I have been signed for a three film contract by Yashraj Films.