IFFI 2018: Boney Kapoor recalls Sridevi’s acting prowess, Janhvi recites a poem in her memory 

The third day at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), 22nd November 2018, saw perhaps the busiest schedule of masterclass and panel discussions. The highlight of the day, undoubtedly, was a session that most of the fans were eagerly waiting for – a panel discussion titled, ‘Konversation with the Kapoors’ moderated by Rumi Jaffery with Producer Boney Kapoor and his children, actors Arjun Kapoor and Janhvi Kapoor. However, Arjun Kapoor couldn’t be present due to his prior commitments.

The conversation began with Boney’s take on the film industry and the changes that he has seen over the years. Boney said, “The current times are our film industry’s diamond era. There is much discipline in place unlike the earlier times. The business has become more streamlined. The reach of our films also has grown multifold. Earlier, we used to release our films across 50-60 screens in the country, in addition to maybe 10-15 screens outside the country. Now, for example, Thugs Of Hindostan was released across 7000 screens worldwide. I foresee Indian films being screened in almost 10,000 screens soon.” Boney however admitted that a shortage of good writers has been plaguing the industry for long, and continues to do so.

Soon, the spotlight was on Janhvi Kapoor who looked gorgeous dressed impeccably in a white gown. When questioned about her observations in the industry and the changes from the current generation’s point of view, Jahnvi, without mincing her words, said, “The acting and storytelling of the films in the Golden Era were far ahead of the current times. We are stuck in the commercial trap; the freedom in storytelling was more before. Also, India has had a history of women oriented films across the years but never did we have this practice of stereotyping or giving tags to films, such as ‘female centric’ or ‘women oriented’, like we do now.”

Having a conversation with the Kapoor family without mentioning Sridevi is simply impossible, and the moderator did a fine job of broaching the topic with sensitivity. While acknowledging the void created by her absence, a teary eyed Boney choked with emotion said, “Nobody is as complete as she was as an actor. It would have been nice to have her with us to see her receive the National Award.”

An articulate Jahnvi described the past year that has been a mixed bag of emotions – her mother Sridevi’s sudden death, and her own debut in the film industry with the Hindi remake of Marathi blockbuster, Sairat. Jahnvi said, “The year has been about tremendous personal growth. The worst and the best – both the things have happened to me in the past one year. But I’m extremely pleased with the fact that our family is complete now. About my mother’s loss – we are still in shock and haven’t been able to process it yet. But we are thankful for the love we have received. I just want to entertain you all and aspire to win your love.” The actress also recited a heartfelt poem penned down in the memory of her beloved mother.

Boney acknowledged that nothing makes him happier than to see his children come together as a family. The producer was overwhelmed with emotion, choking as he said this.

The young actress who will soon be seen in her next, Takht, said that she would love to act in a remake of the classic film Khamoshi starring Waheeda Rehman and Rajesh Khanna, for the sheer acting prowess displayed by Waheeda Rehman in the climax of the film. Takht is a period film starring Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt and Anil Kapoor. The film is being produced by Karan Johar.