On Father’s Day today, Shakti Kapoor opens up about his daughter
Shakti Kapoor is a proud father. With a successful actress like Shraddha Kapoor for a daughter, why wouldnt he be? On the occasion of Fathers Day today, the senior actor revisits Shraddhas childhood days. Excerpts:
Tell us about the day when Shraddha was born.
I was shooting when I got the news that my wife will deliver anytime now. So I rushed to Breach Candy hospital. And then she was born. I named her Shraddha. I was thrilled to have a daughter. All my brothers and sisters have sons. Shes the only daughter in our family. Shes the most precious thing in our family.
How was Shraddha as a kid?
She was not naughty but was very moody and stubborn. She has these traits even now. She was very loving. Whenever she had a problem with a kid, she couldnt beat him up. So she used to come home and beat me up. Siddhanth and she used to see me fighting with Jeetuji (Jeetendra), Dharamji (Dharmendra), Salman (Khan) and others in my films. So they thought, ‘Chalo, Papa ko hi maro.
She was a bright student and had scored 95%. She used to be the lead in the prayer singing group in school. I had never thought that shell become an actress.
When did she decide to become an actress?
While studying in Boston, she had come down for a holiday. Thats when she met Ambika (Hinduja) and Teen Patti happened. When the film bombed, she said, “Papa, I can never be unsuccessful in life. I have to prove myself in one film and then Ill go back to studies.” Then she gave few auditions to Aditya Chopra and was signed on for 3 movies. Then she never went back to Boston. Ek baar make-up lag jaata hai chehre pe, phir Bombay chhodkar jana namumkin hai.
You must be feeling over-protective when it comes to her intimate scenes.
She had refused 10 films initially because she didnt want to do kissing scenes. One evening, I sat her down and told her, An actor cannot have inhibitions. Youll have to play a mad girl, a psychopath, a prostitute, etc. If you are shy, you cant be a good actor. Slowly, her inhibitions went away.
Did she ever give you trouble like partying too much or coming home late at nights?
Shraddha has seen the world. Weve just told her, Never get into drugs, dont do anything which will embarrass us. Sometimes, when she went overboard, I used to take her to task. I told her that we come from a family where people talk if a girl is out so late everyday. Gradually, it stopped. She hardly gives us a reason to complain.
According to you, which is her best performance?
Aashiqui 2. I saw it at a friends theatre in Delhi. She kept people glued to their seats with her performance. Im telling you, she will carry films on her shoulders in the future.
Her pairing with Aditya Roy Kapur was much talked about. Have you met him or his family?
I met Aditya when they signed the film. Hes a very good actor. Even today, I tell Shraddha that she has to do a film with him again. Their second film will create havoc. Their chemistry was as electric as Dharmendra and Hemajis. I respect Aditya and his family but have never met them.
Does she get carried away by stardom?
She had everything before she became an actress. So she doesnt get carried away. She used to give autographs to everyone. I told her, You wont be able to do this everyday. So dont get carried away by all this.
What do you think is her best quality?
Her love for her family and her honesty. She will never cheat anyone.
A trait that annoys you
She is a maniac when it comes to shopping. Once I had to call her and tell her that there is no space in her room. She'll keep buying 300 pairs of shoes.
Lastly, rate her as an artiste on a scale of 1 to 10.
She is a 10 on 10 as an actress, singer and dancer. Im not saying this because shes my daughter. Im fond of Kangana (Ranaut) and Deepika (Padukone). Having said that, Im sure Shraddha is going to be the top actress in her league. School and college students love her. They all want to be like her.
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