Janhvi Kapoor talks about the pressure of carrying forward mother Sridevi’s legacy

Janhvi Kapoor made her debut in 2018, a few months after the death of her mother and legendary actress Sridevi. Despite her mother not being around to guide her at every step, the actress managed to carve her niche in the film industry with her acting in various genres. In a recent interview, the actress opened up about the pressure of carrying forward Sridevi’s legacy. She also shared the mantra her mother once taught her when she expressed her wish to act.

Janhvi Kapoor opens up about if there is any pressure to carry forward Sridevi's legacy

Speaking to Elle, Janhvi shared that navigating the responsibility of carrying forward a legacy is a "complex theme," and it occupies a significant space in her thoughts. She added that "standards are exceptionally high," given the legacy set by my parents, and she must "strive" to meet them.

“Navigating the responsibility of carrying forward a legacy is a complex theme in my life and occupies a significant space in my thoughts. It’s also a straightforward matter in some respects. Starting with the fact that I don’t have a clean slate, there’s an existing benchmark that I must strive to meet. The standards are exceptionally high, given the legacy set by my parents,” she says.

No pain, no gain: The mantra to survive in the film industry by Sridevi to Janhvi Kapoor

The 26-year-old actress didn't have the luxury of seeking advice from her mother, Sridevi, after her first film. Had she been here, Janhvi says, "My mother would have given me more advice than she did." However, she recalled the time she expressed her interest in acting to her mother, and her advice to Janhvi was that she should be prepared for "inevitable comparisons" between her extensive filmography and Janhvi's debut.

Sridevi considered the comparison "unfair" and advised her not to take heed of them. The Mili actress added, "She stressed the importance of being the most authentic version of myself, experiencing emotions organically, and working diligently, underscoring the mantra ‘no pain, no gain.’”

What did Janhvi Kapoor learn from the highs and lows in her career?

Janhvi, who has tasted her share of highs and lows in her career spanning over four years, opened up about maintaining the momentum and a lesson she is still learning. She said that over the past five years, she has dedicated a significant amount of time to "self-discovery, finding my voice, and defining my aspirations as an actor." She has realised that being "overly critical" about herself and intentionally seeking unnecessary challenges was a hindrance.  Now, she is allowing herself to enjoy the journey and appreciate the positive aspects of her career.

Now, the actress is busy focusing on her upcoming film Devara, co-starring Jr NTR and Saif Ali Khan. Releasing on April 5, the film will mark her debut in the Telugu industry.