'I take advantage of being a star kid'

Actress Shraddha Kapoor has seen the highs and lows of the film industry. The daughter of the veteran actor Shakti Kapoor and niece of Padmini Kolhapuri didn’t have it easy the first few years as all her films failed.

But with Aashiqui 2 last year, she became an overnight sensation.

In the City to promote her upcoming film Ek Villain with co-star Sidharth Malhotra, Shraddha showed what it takes to be a star as she kept going from promotional activity to another despite being unwell. 

“I think it will take a while before I get better. But work just keeps you going,” she told Metrolife when asked about being under the weather. 

Extremely happy to be back with her mentor Mohit Suri in Ek Villain, with whom she worked in Aashiqui 2, she says, “I am happy that Mohit taught me well. Ayesha, my character in Ek Villain, is very real and well-written. She is energetic and happy-go-lucky,” she adds. 

Ask her if her character has shades of grey owing to the title of the film and she smiles, “She is the actually the rainbow in the film. She adds brightness to the film. She is the sun!” With many big projects like ‘ABCD 2’ opposite Varun Dhawan and Haider opposite Shahid Kapoor on her plate, Shraddha couldn’t be happier.

 “I have been busy preparing for my role in ‘ABCD 2’. The rehearsals are getting tougher but I’m actually getting to be part of an all-dance movie.

I saw the first part and loved it. It was one of the few dance movies in which the dancing didn’t overpower the story. It was about people from regular backgrounds so everyone could relate to it,” she notes. She adds, “And Haider will be releasing in October.” 

Is it true that the petite actress has been asked to lose weight for ‘ABCD 2’? Pat comes the reply, “That’s not true at all!” She laughs, “I am already thin so I need to be more toned. In fact, I need to gain weight. It’s ulta with me.” A big foodie, Shraddha is on a protein diet now. “I love food and am tired of eating egg and fish,” she exclaims. 

There were many reports stating that the actress was part of Akshay Kumar’s Gabbar too. But she denies and smiles, “It’s Shruti Hassan who is in Gabbar, not me! My dates didn’t work out.” 

The industry is filled with star kids and it’s assumed that they have it easy. But according to Shraddha, “there is a flip side to everything.” However, she is grateful about being from a film family. 

   “There are many positives too. I take advantage of being a star kid. But in the long run, it’s tough to get people to appreciate your work,” she signs off.