Shraddha Kapoor - #1 Source - Biography, Gallery, Picture & News -

Shraddha Kapoor tells that she bagged her debut role in Teen Patti on her own merit and not because she happens to be the daughter of Shakti Kapoor or the niece of Padmini Kolhapure.

What is your role in Teen Patti?

I play the role of Aparna Khanna who is a studious girl and is also a guitarist in her college’s music band. Aparna is a very intriguing person. The film is all about Aparna’s journey and how during the journey Aparna starts discovering things about her which surprise her.

Do you think Teen Patti is the right launching pad for a newcomer like you?

Teen Patti, let me reiterate is not a quintessential Indian cinema about boy meets girl. Nor is it about gambling. Gambling forms just the backdrop of the film Teen Patti. It is something which Indian cinema has not seen before. I thought that the script was very gripping and my role was well etched. I really felt that the film was good enough to be my launching pad.

To what extent could you relate to the character of Aparna in the film?

With my glasses on, I look like Aparna at home. I could relate to the role of Aparna to some extent since we look almost similar. The curiosity which both Aparna has and I have is another similarity between both of us.

Did you learn acting to equip yourself for the part that you are playing in Teen Patti?

I did not learn acting from any acting Institute. I learnt acting from my dad and Padmini mausi. As far as preparing for my part for the film Teen Patti was concerned, Mohit Tugnait taught me the nuances required for the role of Aparna.

How was the experience of working with an actor like Amitabh Bachchan?

I was extremely excited and also very nervous at the same time because I had got the opportunity to work with a legendary actor like Amitabh Bachchan in my very first film. The stature of the film was set automatically because of the presence of Amitabh Bachchan.

Did the fact that you are Shakti Kapoor’s daughter help you bag your first break easily?

Just because I happen to the daughter of Shakti Kapoor and the niece of Padmini Kolhapure, the role did not just land on my lap on a silver platter. I got my break on my own merit. Not many are aware of the fact that I had actually gone to audition for the role. It helped me that Ambika Hinduja who is the producer of Teen Patti had seen my picture on Face Book.

However, I would admit that the biggest advantage that I have is that people know me better even before I have made my debut as an actress because the media is more interested in me because I am the daughter of a celebrity like Shakti Kapoor. I also confess that I have more connections in the film industry because of dad and hence people know that I exist.

And what according to you is the flip side of the coin?

The flip side is that people will compare me with my dad and my mausi. All that I’d say is that even if I have 2 percent of the talent that they have, I’ll be happy.

How intimidating was it to share the frame with Amitabh Bachchan?

It was simply a great learning experience to work with an actor of the stature of Amitabh Bachchan. Amitji knew that he would unknowingly make us feel intimidated and hence he made it a point not to spare us and left no opportunity to pull our legs and make us shed our inhibitions and feel comfortable and at ease while working with him. In fact, I’d be worried if I was not asked to give a retake or Amitji did not give me any suggestion to improve myself.

What did you find interesting about Mr. Bachchan, as an actor?

It was interesting to note that Amitji used to cut himself off and be aloof whenever he had to do a serious scene. Amitji made me realize to what extent you have to go as an actor to go inside yourself to perform the character that you are playing.

What about your experience of working with R. Madhavan?

Working with an actor like R. Madhavan, who we used to call Maddy fondly was great fun. Maddy taught me a lot of card tricks while we were shooting on the sets for the film.

What kind of roles do you like to take up as an actress?

As an actress, I’d like to do a wide range of roles and be a part and parcel of what is known as versatile cinema.

Which films of your mausi do you like the best?

Prem Rog is my most favorite film among all the films in which my aunt Padmini Kolhapure has acted.

Who are your favorite directors?

Among the directors who I’d like to work with are Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Imtiaz Ali, Anurag Kashyap and Karan Johar, to name a few.

Who are your favorite actors and actresses today?

My most favorite actor among the stars of today is undoubtedly Ranbir Kapoor who has shown a lot of caliber even though he is only four films old till date. Among the actresses of today, I like Priyanka Chopra as well as Vidya Balan who are performers of the first order.

Shraddha Kapoor, who is making her debut with Leena Yadav’s Teen Patti, calls her dad Shakti Kapoor ‘Baaps’ as she offers him coffee. Both get comfortable for a joint interview in the conference room of the production office of the film.

Dressed in denims and a tee, Shraddha starts off with her childhood dream, “Since childhood, I have seen my father and my aunt Padmini Kolhapure at shoots. I had a natural inclination to follow in their footsteps.”

Doting dad Shakti, looking at his daughter with pride, says, “She is pretty and talented and nothing can stop her. She is very bindaas, and very few people make me laugh like she can.”

Her training started in school where she learnt Kathak and started doing theatre in 9th grade. She says, “That gave me a taste of the stage. Before Teen Patti, I trained with Mr Mohit Tugnait, who taught me acting and diction. For Teen Patti, we did many workshops with Barry John and Ashley Lobo.”

Did Shakti warn her about the wolves in the industry? He says, “I always believe that if you are strong, nothing in this world can hurt you. Wolves are everywhere, but in show business, we are more exposed to them.”

At this juncture, Shraddha quips, “I think there are bad people everywhere and I can also turn into a wolf!”
Shraddha had read several scripts before Teen Patti but no role offered her such scope and range. And, of course, Shakti thinks his daughter is lucky to debut in a film that features Amitabh Bachchan.

He says, “The audience will go to the theatres for Mr Bachchan and will recognise the young talent. In the movie, she plays a college girl, a pick-up, a socialite, a tapori, chaalu ladki eating paan, while all the monsters are ogling at her. She might not have the songs or the romantic angle, but she portrays a wide range of emotions.”

Shraddha gently chides him as she tells him not to give away too much information about the film. Shraddha is open to the idea of bold scenes, and Shakti is supportive of her stance. He only says, “She is an adult and knows what is right or wrong.

All I tell her is that we come from a respected family and that she should know her boundaries.” It’s actually her mother who gives Shraddha advice as she makes frequent visits to the sets. Shakti has the final word as he says, “Good people make good actors.” And, we presume, he’s referring to his daughter.

"Coming from a family with a background in movies, I always aspired to be an actress. I started learning Kathak while still in school,and when I was in the ninth grade, I started doing theatre. I trained in acting and diction under Mohit Tugnait. Ambika Hinduja, the producer of Teen Patti, saw my photographs on Facebook. It was only after we met that she learnt that I’m Shakti Kapoor’s daughter."

"I auditioned for the role and couldn’t have asked for a better debut, since the film features Mr Amitabh Bachchan and Sir Ben Kingsley. For Teen Patti, we did many workshops with Barry John and Ashley Lobo. That taught me a lot about the finer nuances of acting. The role offers scope to portray a range of emotions."

"When you come from a film family, you can’t escape comparisons. Since I’m Padmini Kolhapure’s niece and Shakti Kapoor’s daughter, people will be waiting to see how good I am. If I can achieve even one iota of what my aunt achieved in her debut movie, it will be great. I want to do good work with notable filmmakers. I haven’t signed anything else yet. There are a couple of scripts waiting to be read. I’m waiting to see the response to Teen Patti before deciding anything."

She’s extremely confident, ‘ambitious’ in her own words and believes in her capabilities, and when it comes to Bollywood — she’s no babe in the woods. Because this gal hails from a khandaan that boasts of father Shakti Kapoor, aunt Padmini Kolhapure and grandfather Pandit Pandharinath Kolhapure. Presenting the latest Kapoor — Shraddha Kapoor!

“I grew up in an atmosphere where I saw my father leaving early for work, having odd hours and then to see the difference between him on-screen and the way he was off-screen. I found the whole process of becoming someone else fascinating!” she smiles.

Considering her lineage, it’s but natural to expect offers on a platter. But Shraddha didn’t take her entry into filmdom for granted. The newcomer, who makes her debut in Serendipity Films’ Teen Patti coming Friday, believes her journey towards acting started the day she was born 21 years ago. Shraddha’s done theatre for four years, learnt acting from Mohit Tugnait and later from Barry John, was part of a dance troupe at Boston University and knows how to play the guitar after six months of learning it for the film (“I play the lead guitarist of a band,” she informs us). Of course, she’s lucky to have an acting guru at home itself. “He is so humorous that I got to learn a lot just by observing him,” she adds about dad and filmi bad guy Shakti.

It’s a given that any newcomer working in a film with none other than Big B would be asked how the experience with such an accomplished actor was. But we threw her a different one — was it more difficult working with one of the biggest superstars of the millennium or to act with her father? “The day I was acting with my father was by far the most challenging for me!” she admits, “I think I must have made the maximum mistakes that day. My dad kept yelling at me ‘I’m not your father here, I’m an actor’!” she laughs at the memory.

Her father’s name might help her to an extent but after that, it’s her talent that would have to speak and Shraddha’s aware of that. “I am ambitious. I like to think and dream about the future,” she says. Considering the competition that lies ahead, would she be able to pitch in her best? Would she, for example, wear a bikini if the role requires it? “Nobody’s made that proposition yet, so I’ll consider that when it happens,” she says. Okay, but does she consider herself sexy? “Sexy?” she asks with a laugh, “We’ll let the audience decide that. Sexy’s not the way I would define myself. Moderately reserved, a little shy and very curious. But sexy? Nah!”

Shraddha Kapoor, the pretty young actress who stars in Serendipity Films’ mathematical thriller, Teen Patti, has her net addiction to thank for landing her first role.

“Ambika (Hinduja, the film’s producer) and my brother Siddhanth are school friends. She saw my pictures in his friends list on Facebook, and thought, ‘Who’s this girl?’ She asked my bro if I’d be interested in her movie, and he answered, ‘Why not? Shraddha has always wanted to act,’” she narrates. Shraddha was then called for an audition, amongst many. “Pata nahin kitne hazaaron logon mein ek main bhi thi jisne audition diya!” she says.
First movie, first one to be short listed through a social networking site, and also sharing screen space with dad for the first time – too many firsts at the age of 19? But the teen doesn’t think she’s stepped too early into showbiz. “I always wanted to be an actor. I was even offered films when I was 15,” she says. But she did not accept any, for at that time, studies were a priority. “But now that I have finally begun, each day is a new experience,” says the teenager.

Growing up with a father who’s most popular as a villain did not bother Shraddha. Instead, she enjoyed watching her dad doing serious, negative, as well as comic roles. “It was such a pleasure watching him. He’s so versatile.” But when Shraddha had to be with him on the sets, she was a bundle of nerves. “I was extremely nervous that day. I’d always known him as a father, never as a co-actor. But it was fun too.” Now that she’s a part of Bollywood, any golden instructions from dad? She reveals, “He has never told me ‘Yeh mat karo, woh mat karo.’ Rather, he’s always said, ‘Jo mann mein aaye, woh karo. And enjoy the whole process.’” And she says that this also means that there would be no hassles locking lips or wearing skimpy attire on screen. “He has never taken decisions on my behalf. He knows that I will focus on the beauty of the role, and do whatever suits the script,” she insists.

Ask her if she thought life is a bed of roses for a star kid, and she has a clear take. “The only advantage of being a star kid is that you know a lot of people already. Newcomers don’t have any contacts, which is why they have a tough time. But beyond contacts, it is your own calibre that can draw the audience to a movie – my dad cannot help my movies be a success,” she states. Shraddha reiterates the fact that she gave an audition for her debut, just like the rest of the three debutantes in the film. “So I don’t see any great advantage.”

She’s got a similar take on having a famous surname. “I just hope I get successful, whether my surname is Kapoor, Sharma, Dutta, or anything!” she jokes. And who’d she like to work with in the future? “Ranbir Kapoor and Aamir Khan,” comes the reply.

Shraddha Kapoor is a bundle of excitement as the release of her hatke debut film, Teen Patti, draws to a close.

“I feel I was born to be in the entertainment line. There was a time I wasn’t sure about what I wanted to do and lived life like any other teenager. When I was chosen for the film, I was thrilled because I was very sure about wanting to do Teen Patti. I remember telling my Dad (Shakti Kapoor) that. It was great to have found an aim and a routine, to have found something to work for. Teen Patti has been an amazing journey and I can’t wait to get back on a film set and act. I want to be here for a long time and also get into direction and other aspects of film-making,” she says confidently.

“My ultimate dream is to do a film in which I am acting, singing and dancing because I love doing all that. Farhan Akhtar has done all that in one film so he is quite an inspiration. I want to tell people that besides acting, I can sing and dance too as I am a very creatively-inclined person. I don’t know how to do that because I am quite bad at PR!” says Miss Kapoor.

Talking about music and dancing, Shraddha says, “I love dancing to anything with beats. I haven’t clubbed in ages but I used to go to Prive. I am very selective about what I listen to and it depends on my mood. I like old Hindi songs, selective R&B, progressive house and electronica. I think the music of Teen Patti is quite versatile and the title track is my favourite.”

How did you get the film?

The producer saw my picture on Facebook and got in touch with me.

Were you influenced by your father?

Definitely. My love for films developed naturally. I’d see dad going to work.

Did you train in acting?

After college I took lessons with Mohit Sugnayak. For Teen Patti, I trained with Royston Abel, Ashley Lobo and Barry John and had script readings with Leena Yadav, the director.

How was it meeting Amitabh Bachchan?

I first met him as a little girl at his Holi party. It was only on the first day of the shoot that I properly met him. I was nervous. But he came across as humble and approachable.

How was it acting with the Big B?

I remember this one scene, he was so kind he asked me, “Shraddha, would you like to do this scene from the top so that you get into the mood?” I thought that was thoughtful.

Tell us about your role?

It’s a shy studious girl’s journey from a young girl to a woman.

How is it to be part of this mega industry?

It’s a tiny step. It feels great that something I wanted to do is really happening. I’m looking forward to my stay here.

How do you view the competition today?

The industry is evolving and conventions are being broken, especially in this film where three boys and a girl are being launched. Personally, I am a big fan of good cinema.

How did your parents react to your debut?

Dad was more excited than me. Mum was happy too. Today when they see the promos they’re very excited.

How was it growing up with a film villain for a father?

The kids would ask me if he was strict. And when they came home, they’d see how funny he is and couldn’t believe it.

For someone to break into Bollywood, you need to be ready to make incessant trips to production houses and meet directors. Or if you are lucky you get spotted at a party or at some filmi do.

But if you are Shraddha Kapoor the producer and director find you through a social networking site!

Shraddha, the daughter of Shakti Kapoor and Shivangi Kolhapure, was spotted by Leena Yadav as she looked for actors to cast in her soon to be released film Teen Patti.

“Actually something happened before the Facebook incident. The assistant casting director actually saw her somewhere and he suggested her name. And we were like ‘okay…Shakti Kapoor has a daughter who is ready to act. Okay we need to find her’. So before we got in touch formally we just gave it a shot,” says Leena with a laugh, “Because everybody is on Facebook these days!”

“I think Ambika (Hinduja) knows Shraddha’s brother so with that we got entry into Facebook and we checked her out there. And we said ‘there is something there.’ So we got her into the office and that’s where Shraddha’s story began,” explains Yadav.

With the film a fortnight away from release, Yadav is anxious but she says that has nothing to do with the fact that she has four debutants in her film.

“You know I auditioned for these roles for almost a year. It took me a year to find these final four that I settled on. After that we had some real intense and hard core workshops with the best in the business. And then when I saw them in the same frame as the likes of Mr. Amitabh Bachchan and do so splendidly I was so proud of them. It’s not easy being in the position they are in. I completely empathise with them. Through the filming I almost became like a mother to them and now I feel like I am about to give them up for adoption as the film stands for release,” says Leena.

Teen Patti stars Amitabh Bachchan, Sir Ben Kingsley, Madhavan, Saira Mohan and debutants Shraddha Kapoor,

The film is slated for release on February 26 with a big premiere in London.

She is pretty, funky, cute, stylish, dreamy and slim. Porcelain-skinned Shraddha Kapoor is the promising and polished newbie on the Bollywood block. The soft-spoken girl shares her hair- and skin-care, style and make-up tips.

1) My style is very Bohemian and comfortable. I love colour, and dress according to my mood. I like fashion, but I don’t follow trends. I love to shop everywhere, whether it is at Colaba Causeway or the high street boutiques in London. Lately, I love shoes from Gucci. I purchased a grey and purple bag from Miu Miu and that has become my favourite.

2) I think a pair of well-fitted jeans, a versatile jacket, a pair of black stilettos, a versatile day-and-night bag, a dress, tank, tee and shirt in white, Converse shoes and flip-flops are wardrobe must-haves.

3) I love colourful make-up. I use eye make-up from MAC, foundation from Bobbi Brown and Chanel and lip and cheek tint from Benetint. Vaseline is a must-have. It is very important to remove every trace of make-up before sleeping.

4) I use a hair-pack made of aloe vera, hibiscus leaves or flowers and curd. You need to mix aloe vera juice or gel with the dried hibiscus leaves and curd and coat your hair with the mixture. Keep it on for twenty minutes and rinse it off with water. The cooling and nourishing pack leaves your hair incredibly soft, smooth and shiny.

5) Everything in our lives is visual, and our eyes are the first senses that get stimulated. To relax and refresh your eyes, close them and place chilled cucumber slices on them. It is an incredibly relaxing eye-spa in itself.

Shraddha Kapoor loves reading and is a huge fan of The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. She tells us about her favourite pastime and reveals facets of her personality.

Talking about her personality, she says, “I have my moods, but I am not drastically moody. I am quiet on some days and very hyper and loud on other days. I am not entirely reserved, but if I get along with someone really well, then I show a greater side of myself to them. I have very few close friends, who have been with me since childhood and they know me for what I am. I am approachable, but I have my boundaries.”

Shraddha’s world revolves around fun and enjoying the moment. “I like to have fun in whatever I do. Even when I am getting my hair and make-up done, that moment should be fun and enjoyable for me and everyone else. I like to be in the present moment. It’s good to interact with people and understand their point of view. You can learn from people who are younger and older than you. This should be an everyday process. More than anything, I like to enjoy moments,” she smiles.

Being Shakti Kapoor's daughter and Padmini Kholapure's niece, it's only a matter of time before Shraddha Kapoor followed in their footsteps.

Her debut is Leena Yadav's Teen Patti, a film starring Amitabh Bachchan, Sir Ben Kingsley and R Madhavan. Shraddha spills the beans about the whole experience.

You must have been over the moon when you found that you would be sharing screen space with Amitabh Bachchan and Sir Ben Kingsley...

Oh my God! I couldn't believe it! I still haven't absorbed it all. I was on top of the world and so was my family. I was also a nervous wreck. I kept thinking, "What if I goof this up? What will they think of me?" But after working with them, my fears subsided. They were very giving and I learnt so much from them. They were so open and had absolutely no airs about themselves.

I will always be grateful to Ambika [Hinduja, producer] and Leena for giving me the role.

Your father must be proud. How was it growing up as his daughter?

He is a very fun loving father and a very funny man at home too. He always makes us laugh. That doesn't mean he isn't strict when the situation demands it. But he would make me understand things about life using humour as a medium.

Did you wanted to do things but couldn't or wasn't allowed to because of your background?

There were certain things that were different. My father wouldn't let me travel by rickshaws, though I wanted to.

Did you visit him on the sets when he was working?

I used to. When I was big enough, he would let me watch fight sequences. He would always explain to me that what he did on screen was different from what he did in real life.

The fair, pretty, soft-spoken, dreamy, light-eyed girl is all of 20, and she is the promising new Kapoor on the Bollywood block. Read on to find out more about Shraddha Kapoor and her role in Teen Patti.

Her character, Aparna Khanna

“My character is called Aparna Khanna, and she is one of the four students in Teen Patti. With wavy hair, spectacles and baggy clothes, Aparna looks like a pretty, intelligent girl hiding behind her spectacles. About her character, she says, “Aparna is very quiet except that she is head-over-heels in love with her best friend Sid (played by Siddharth Kher). She gets into the game just so she can be with him. The game helps her discovers different, previously unseen facets of her personality and her life changes forever.”


Bagging 'Teen Patti'

“Ambika (Hinduja, the producer) was looking for a girl to play Aparna. She saw my photos on Facebook and contacted my brother Siddharth, who she knew from school. I had to audition several times before I was selected, and I was grilled by the director, producer and casting director. I remember telling my father (Shakti Kapoor) that I was absolutely sure about doing this movie. I was thrilled that I had bagged it.”