Up close and personal with Vaani Kapoor, who’s geared up for a string of releases this year

She’s low-key, introverted and in a close relationship with her trusted pyjamas. She arrives for the cover shoot for Brides Today at a Mumbai bungalow dressed comfortably, as that’s fashion to her—easy, breezy and true to herself. But as soon as the Shehla Chatoor lehenga set is on and the cameras are raring to go, Vaani Kapoor transforms into the glamorous star we know and love. There’s much in store for Vaani this year, with a slew of releases lined up (Khel Khel Mein is already in theatres), as well as her OTT debut on Netflix with Mandala Murders. “I’ve never done a crime thriller, and this role took me back to my initial days of Shuddh Desi Romance. So I’m pretty excited,” she gushes.

As she strikes pose after pose for the camera, her hair flying and make-up on point, Vaani is poised and a complete natural. Dressed in demure pastels and pearls, she has a soft spot for Indianwear and cannot decline any offer to wear them. “I look for opportunities to wear Indian attire because I’m usually a pyjama and jeans girl,” she shares.

Reticent yet articulate, understated yet conspicuous, Vaani personifies oxymorons, but she’s clear in her ultimate goal: to give her job her very best and be a better person every day of her life…

Brides Today: The last half of 2024 is going to be quite exciting for you. Could you tell us about your upcoming projects, and how you went about selecting such different characters?

Vaani Kapoor: I’m extremely excited about my releases this year. But the kind of characters we choose to play is not something we can plan. Whatever comes our way, we hear it out, read the script and assess, and if something in us connects with it, we pivot towards it naturally. I’ve simply been trying to make the right calls with different genres. Mandala Murders, for instance, is a crime thriller, which is new for me. It was refreshing because I got to play a small-town girl after a string of urban characters. It took me to my initial days of Shuddh Desi Romance. Raid 2 is a lovely franchise to be part of, and I got to work with Ajay Devgn. It’s, again, a very different storyline even from Khel Khel Mein, which is already out in theatres. I’m choosing whatever resonates with me, taking it day by day, project by project, and trying to make the most of it.

BT: Mandala Murders is going to be your OTT debut. Is working on OTT content any different from shooting for the big screen? How differently do you think content is created for the two platforms?

VK: A larger-than-life franchise is easily more consumable as a theatrical release. People like to celebrate such movies. But they have become relaxed and want to watch a lot of good content from the comfort of their home, too. But as an actor, I see a film as a film, whether it’s for OTT or the cinemas. The process remains the same for us—we have to put in the same amount of hard work. I also believe it’s the story that drives content for any platform. The difference primarily lies from the writing perspective because with an OTT series, a lot more time and energy is spent on developing a character arc that ultimately connects the story. It’s limited when it comes to movies.

BT: You’re a little over a decade old in the industry, and every journey is marked with its highs and lows. What milestones stand out in these past 10 years? And were there any regrets?

VK: With my debut film Shuddh Desi Romance, I was lucky to get the right director and production house. It was a nerve-wracking first experience as the character was very different from who I am. But it gave me that confidence and push to be okay to be someone else on camera. Befikre played an integral part of my career not just because of the actors, director and production house, but also because Shyra, my character, was very unlike me. I had a ball of a time shooting that film. It was made with a lot of love. I even learned French for it! War was more Hrithik and Tiger’s film, but it was a mega blockbuster and I had an impactful part in the storyline. And, of course, I’m extremely proud of Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui. It’s a rarity for lead actresses to get that kind of story. I really felt the love for that role not just from the critics but also from the audience. Whatever be the consequence at the box office, the movie earned a lot of respect. A subject like this needed the right sensibility without being too preachy. The director had the right vision, so I felt safe playing the character. These are the films that shaped me; I learned a lot from them. Regarding regrets… Today, I’m very proud of who I’ve become. One learns from the mistakes they make. It may sound cliché, but it really does mean something. I certainly made my share of mistakes, but they’re for me to know, observe and acknowledge. They were essential to my growth.

BT: In the rush of fame, money and glamour, how do you remind yourself of the person you inherently were before your career took over? And how would you describe your support system, the ones who have been there since before stardom struck?

VK: I never lost touch with who I am or been lured by things people from the outside perceive. I keep it real. For me, it’s a job I love, like a nine-to-five stint but longer. I treat it like any other job one would be passionate about. And then I’m back home and myself. Luckily, I know how to keep myself detached when needed. I’ve had the same handful of friends for years who are very grounded themselves. So it helps to just have them and my family in my life, as they are also very detached towards all this. My surroundings and those around me are non-industry people. So I completely cut off from this world when I’m back home. You’ll hardly see me getting clicked by the paparazzi or going to parties. There are days when I like to go out and meet people, but I’m mostly an introvert and not very social. I pretty much keep to myself. I like being in pyjamas at home with my cat and friends—my people—and live a simple life.

BT: How would your closest circle of friends and family describe you?

VK: I’m very gregarious with my people. I do silly things and make them laugh. But usually, I’m just a regular girl who’s introverted and shy. Most of the time, I get terribly awkward and say the wrong things. Later, my friends and family reprimand me for saying something silly. Initially, I’d never take interviews seriously and answer in jest. But I soon realised that people actually read what I say and form their own opinions. So now I try to be a little less silly and awkward… Honestly, I’ve lived most of my life being a non-industry kid, so it’s not difficult for me to detach myself from it.

BT: You’ve mentioned being a non-industry person a number of times, and that you don’t have a support system within the industry. What is your take on the nepotism debate? How rampant is it really in the world of films?

VK: People do have their favourites, but I don’t hold anything against anyone. It’s their destiny to get the opportunities that come their way. Everybody charts such different courses for themselves. No two people have the same journey. While having a well-known last name does come with more opportunities, it’s the audience that eventually decides whom they want watch or don’t. In this industry, we can only grow if we get love and acceptance from the audience. Besides, there’s a lot of self-inflicted pressure for me because it’s a dream come true that I am where I am, and that I’m getting to live this life. I don’t like to take that for granted. I don’t come with a support system within the industry, so it’s been ingrained in my head that only hard work, talent and the right attitude towards the craft can sustain me here. If one is good, they will get work. If they’re not, they won’t.

BT: The Shehla Chatoor collection you wore for the Brides Today shoot was all about pastels and pearls. What did you think about the line and the silhouettes you wore? Do you enjoy fashion shoots?

VK: The shoot was lovely! The outfits were gorgeous. I love Indianwear and can never say no to it. In fact, I look for opportunities to wear them because I’m usually a pyjama and jeans girl. But when a special occasion arises where I get to wear Indian attire, be it a sari, suit or lehenga, with beautiful embellishments, I enjoy dressing up like a doll. I find fashion shoots refreshing because in my everyday life, I dress down so much. I used to love dressing up when I modelled in Delhi, but Mumbai made me calmer in that aspect. Now I can roam around in chappals, and I feel more relaxed when I’m dressed down. Even on my birthday, I was in a sweatshirt and pyjamas.

BT: How different is it to be in front of the camera when you’re shooting for a movie and shooting for fashion campaigns?

VK: When I’m shooting for a film, I’m playing a character and can’t talk or behave like myself. The outfits support the character. They are not for my joy. You’re literally a mannequin in a costume turned into someone else. But when it comes to fashion, you’re most yourself. You’re on set, speaking your mind and bringing forth your personality. It’s all an extension of you.

BT: Would you describe yourself as a fashion conscious individual?

VK: I have days when I really like to dress up. For instance, I like to put in that little bit of effort for red carpet appearances. But it’s all about how I’m feeling—how you dress up speaks volumes of your mindset and personality. One of the key ways of showcasing who you are is through the way you style yourself. Your attire supports who you are and is more than just clothing. Having said that, I respect people who are fashion conscious. I like keeping tabs on these things, but in my day-to-day life, even when I’m heading to a set, I’m in my most relaxed, comfortable clothing. I’m not one for airpoor looks either. In fact, I don’t even like being clicked at the airport, and I certainly can’t stay uncomfortable for the sake of fashion. I like to dress smart and presentable while keeping my comfort intact.

BT: How important is your fitness regime in your life? Do you think it plays a part in attracting the kind of roles you do?

VK: I come from a Punjabi family where butter chicken is a dinner staple. It’s so unhealthy! I see my parents tackling a lot of ailments today, so I made a conscious decision to follow a fitness regime. When I’m 80, I want to still be standing on my two feet actively. You want to look your best for the camera, of course, but that’s just one aspect of a bigger picture. Staying active re-energises me mentally and emotionally because it’s got so much to do with hormones, endorphins and, ultimately, my mental state of being. So it’s become a part of my lifestyle. I’m not a fitness freak; I’m a happy, lazy person, but I know it’s essential for my overall wellbeing, so I drag myself to the gym.

BT: You have a pretty packed schedule coming up. When you do get some downtime, how do you like to spend it?

VK: I like to compartmentalise it. I take out time for my family. Now, as I watch my parents grow old, I feel the need to spend time with them even more. I also like to catch up with my friends who don’t live in the same city. So we try to go for trips here and there. I mostly try to take out quality time for the people I love and value. Otherwise, I’m happy in my pyjamas, watching movies back to back, which I find extremely de-stressing.

BT: What do you hope to achieve the rest of the year on the personal front?

VK: I just want to be better at who I am. At not just my job, but as an individual. I’ve become pretty spiritual over the years… Just the other day, my friends and I were discussing this, and I told them I wanted to be a better person, be more positive. Even though one can try to find a purpose in life, you want to eventually leave the world feeling like you added some value to the space around you. So I want to be consistently better each day.

Editor: Ruchika Mehta (@ruchikamehta05)

Digital Editor: Sonal Ved (@sonalved)

Photographer: Sahil Behal (@behalsahil)

Stylist: Meagan Concessio (@spacemuffin27)

Interview: Shraddha Chowdhury (@shraddhaskc)

Cover Design: Mandeep Khokhar (@mandy_khokhar19)

Editorial Coordinator: Shalini Kanojia (@shalinikanojia)

Hair Artist: Mitesh Rajani (@miteshrajani)

Make-up Artist: Anil Chinappa (@anilc68)

Styling Assistant: Harshita Samdariya (@harshitasamdariya), Shreya Agarwal (@_shreeyyaa); Intern:
Srishti Verma (@srishtiiverma_)

Line Producer: Salim Memon (@lineproducer)

Vaani Kapoor is wearing handcrafted pearl crop top paired with a hand-painted weaved sequin skirt with an embroidered and embellished floral brooch, Shehla Chatoor (@shehlachatoor), price upon request; Diamond necklace and earrings, Senco Gold & Diamonds (@sencogoldanddiamonds), price upon request.