There are only a few actresses in Bollywood, who get to play characters which are equally important and powerful as their male counterparts’. Shraddha Kapoor, daughter of iconic Hindi film actor Shakti Kapoor, is one of those actresses who has built a strong resume with some remarkable roles, and that too within less than a decade in the industry. Her next release is Stree, which is a horror-comedy movie, something which the actress has never attempted before. In this candid conversation with our Mumbai correspondent, Mohnish Singh, Shraddha Kapoor talks about the joy of getting to do a film like Stree, her experience working with Rajkummar Rao and Pankaj Tripathi, and whether or not she believes in the supernatural. Here’s an edited transcript of the conversation with the actress.
Could you please tell us something about your new movie Stree and your experience while shooting it?
Stree is a horror comedy. I am very excited about this film. It’s a purely content driven film. The story of the film is the king and I am grateful that I got the opportunity to be a part of it. When I got the narration of the film, I was so happy. I was going mad laughing. It was such a funny script. It was fantastic to work with Rajkummar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurrana and Abhishek Banerjee and all. Not only did I get to work with such an amazing script but also, I got to work with such fabulous actors. I am a big fan of Pankaj Ji and Raj.
Was there any supernatural incident on the sets?
During shooting, some incidents happened which were weirder than supernatural. One sad thing that happened was that one of the light-men fell from a high level and when we asked him how he fell, he replied that he felt as if someone pushed him. We were very stunned and started thinking about what is happening. Some things are a big question mark.
Do you like horror films?
I am very scared of horror movies and pure darkness is terrifying for me. I sleep with my night lights on always. In Chanderi, it’s so quiet there that the quietness in itself scared me. With this film also, if it was just a horror movie, I wasn’t sure if I would have done it or not because I would be afraid. So, it’s one genre that I don’t even watch much because I am petrified of it, and that feeling stays even after the film is over. I won’t be able to sleep.
Do you personally believe in the supernatural?
I think there is no definite information about supernatural beings, but I also don’t believe it does not exist altogether, that everyone is making it up. I would not rule it out completely. You never know what powers, which powers are actually in this world. If there is, we should respect it.
How do you handle criticism?
Constructive criticism always helps. I always want to do better at what I do than what I have done before. So, I want to work harder and harder every time. But I also sometimes felt that after Aashiqui 2 (2013), suddenly all my films were doing so well that something that didn’t do as well, was panned even more. There was a comparison to extremes. Having said that, it’s entirely up to the audience. They are the ones with the power and I respect their taste. I try to not take the criticism to heart. I try to not take success or failure to heart because there are always ups and downs. So, I just want to keep my head down and work hard. That’s what I want to focus on.
What is the status of Saina Nehwal biopic?
The status is that the training is going on in full swing and from next month onwards, I will start shooting for the film. The badminton portions we will be shooting next year. I have to train more for that because it’s very challenging. It takes a lifetime for people to become a badminton champion. I have to try to play like one in a very short amount of time, so I am trying my best.
How is it working with Prabhas in the upcoming movie Saaho?
It’s amazing. It is so fabulous to work with him. I just feel so good about all the films that I am working on at the moment. There is a lot of hard work. This year is quite a physically challenging one, but it is a very exciting one as well.
There are a lot of ups and downs in an actor’s career, what do you do to learn from each film?
I think there is a lot to learn from success and failures, but where I think one can learn most and where I learned most from is actually from sets. Working with actors like Raj and Pankaj Ji also provides learning moments. Success and failure are something I choose not to take to my heart at all because I want to focus on doing some very memorable work and keep bettering myself each time.
What is your favourite part of filming a movie?
I like travelling a lot and one fantastic thing about being in the movies is that you get to travel with your films. I really like that very much. We were in Tehri for Batti Gul Meter Chalu shooting. What a beautiful place is Uttarakhand! I enjoy travelling to places where there is a lot of nature. Through nature, I feel you find a deeper connection within yourself.
What is your favourite destination?
Ladakh is my favourite. I was there for ten days with my friends a few years back. The place is filled with beauty, with their monasteries, valleys, the flowers and the people. All of that and again just getting in touch with nature.
What kind of a theme is Stree carrying?
The film is handled in a light-hearted manner. It’s a horror comedy. In the film, the roles are a little reversed. Normally, females are expected to stay alert while out and not to stay out late. In Stree, we reversed that, so the men need to be on alert now. It is all done in a comedic flavour and good spirit.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.