Shanaya Kapoor says she is not relying on her surname to secure opportunities. As she prepares for the release of her survival thriller Tu Yaa Main on February 13, the young actor has spoken about navigating the industry amid ongoing conversations around nepotism.
In a recent interaction, Shanaya emphasised that her journey has required consistent effort, including auditions and training, rather than automatic access.
“I’m Not In A Position To Just Pick Scripts”
In an interview with TV9 Hindi Digital, Shanaya Kapoor addressed assumptions often linked to star kids.
“I still audition. I’m not in a position to just sit back and pick scripts,” she said, adding that she feels thankful whenever she secures roles that push her creatively.
Despite industry lineage, Shanaya maintains that each project has required her to prove herself. She described auditions as a routine part of her professional process, particularly for demanding roles.
A Challenging Debut With Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyan
Shanaya’s debut film, Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyan, required her to portray a visually impaired character — a task she describes as technically demanding.
“An actor’s eyes are their biggest tool. Losing that felt like going back to level one,” she explained.
Preparing for the role meant returning to foundational training, focusing on body language and subtle expressions without relying on eye contact. The process, she said, placed her back into a “classroom mode,” reinforcing the basics of performance craft.
Facing A Survival Thriller In Tu Yaa Main
With Tu Yaa Main, Shanaya steps into a high-intensity survival drama that includes a dramatic confrontation with a crocodile — a sharp tonal shift from her debut.
She revealed that the film came to her through a standard audition conducted by casting director Mukesh Chhabra. For her, the process underscored that opportunities are earned.
Working alongside Adarsh Gourav proved to be another learning experience. “He never treated me like a newcomer. His energy makes you react instinctively,” she shared.
Support At Home, Scrutiny Outside
At home, Shanaya credits her father, actor Sanjay Kapoor, as both her strongest supporter and her most honest critic.
In a light-hearted anecdote, she revealed that director Vijay initially messaged Sanjay Kapoor about the project, briefly leading him to assume the role was intended for him. It was, instead, for Shanaya.
Beyond family support, she remains aware of the scrutiny that accompanies the “star kid” tag. Rather than engaging with online criticism, Shanaya says she focuses on professional growth.
Carving An Independent Identity
As conversations around nepotism persist in the film industry, Shanaya Kapoor appears intent on establishing credibility through craft-driven choices.
From playing a visually impaired character in her debut to leading a survival thriller, her early career reflects an attempt to experiment across genres.
For Shanaya, the objective remains clear: growth over perception. As Tu Yaa Main heads toward release, she reiterates that evolution is not optional — it is part of the plan.
