“It Does Bother You As an Actor” – Shanaya Kapoor Shares How Rejection Affected Her

Shanaya Kapoor, daughter of Sanjay Kapoor and Maheep Kapoor, is set to make her much-awaited Bollywood debut, although she shares that the journey to this moment took place in an unexpected manner. During a recent interview, Shanaya Kapoor, who is soon to appear in Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan alongside Vikrant Massey, revealed that her debut role was not the one she actually pursued, rather, it presented itself to her.

Throwing more light on her casting process, she said, “I think I said this earlier as well, when Vikrant and I were chatting. I think when it comes to a film, I think somewhere the film chooses you as well. It’s both of ya’ll meeting. It’s like the stars are aligned and both our paths are aligned for us to have this journey together.”

Shanaya also discussed the deep connection she developed with her character throughout the filming process. She mentioned, “You find those little similarities, you get attached to your character, you kind of get a little protective, you learn a lot from your character, you befriend your character. And that’s what I’ve tried to do in this film.” In the film, Shanaya portrays Saba Shergill, an aspiring actress whose path crosses with Jahaan Bakshi (Vikrant Massey), a passionate musician, as they go on a journey to rediscover the artistes within them.

Landing her role in the film wasn’t really straightforward and she recalled, “I had auditioned for another project at that time, which unfortunately didn’t work out. That audition tape, the casting director really liked it, and she sent it across to Sandy sir (Santosh Singh), our director, and he really liked it!”

She added, “It just made me realise how when things are meant to happen and when things are not supposed to happen, they don’t. And in the time when that audition didn’t go through and I didn’t get that project, it’s not a nice feeling but I took it with stride and tried to take it in a positive way…but it does bother you, of course, as an actor. Then when finally it worked out for this, it suddenly feels like ‘oh my god’ thank you.”

Apart from Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, Shanaya Kapoor will also be seen in the thriller, Tu Yaa Main, opposite Adarsh Gourav, set to release on Valentine’s Day 2026.

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