In a deeply personal revelation that has resonated across the film industry, actor Janhvi Kapoor has opened up about one of the darkest phases of her life. While the world saw a rising star making a grand debut with Dhadak in 2018, Janhvi reveals she was privately battling a downward spiral of depression and self-doubt.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Raj Shamani Podcast, the actress peeled back the layers of her early career, describing the period following her first film as “emotionally paralyzing.”
The Weight of Grief and Validation
Janhvi’s debut was uniquely tragic. Her mother, the legendary Sridevi, passed away just months before Dhadak hit the screens. For Janhvi, her mother wasn’t just a parent but her primary source of validation.
“All of my validation in life came from my mom,” Janhvi shared. “When she was gone, I subconsciously started seeking that same approval from the audience. I wanted them to love me because I needed to feel like I belonged.”
However, the reality of the film industry—often harsh and critical—hit her hard. Despite Dhadak being a commercial success, the online hate and the “nepotism” labels took a severe toll on her mental health.
“I Thought My Career Was Over”
While many remember Dhadak as a hit that launched her career, Janhvi’s own memories are far more painful. She admitted that the constant criticism made her feel like a failure before she had even truly begun.
“Every time someone tells me I was good in Dhadak, I feel a disconnect. My memory of that time is just depression. I thought ho gaya, packup (it’s over). I genuinely believed the world hated me and that I didn’t deserve to be here.”
She explained that she became hyper-focused on negative comments, ignoring the film’s box-office numbers. “I didn’t acknowledge that it was a success. I just knew that I sucked and people hated me. That became my reality,” she added.
A Struggle for Private Grief
The actress also touched upon the difficulty of grieving in the public eye. During the promotions of Dhadak, every expression of hers was scrutinized. If she smiled, she was told she “wasn’t sad enough” about her mother’s death; if she looked somber, she was called “unprofessional.”
“There was no room for private grieving,” Janhvi noted. “The world was trying to divide me into pieces. I was constantly compromising my mental and physical safety just to keep up appearances.”
Moving Forward
Years later, Janhvi has found a way to navigate the noise. While she still deals with the pressures of being a public figure, she has transitioned from seeking external validation to finding confidence in her own hard work.
Her recent projects, like Mili and Mr. & Mrs. Mahi, have seen her earning critical acclaim on her own merits, proving that while the “star kid” tag might open doors, it is resilience that keeps one in the room.
Today, Janhvi uses her platform to remind others that success on paper doesn’t always equal happiness inside—and that it’s okay to acknowledge the struggle even when the world expects you to celebrate. To know
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