Janhvi Kapoor recently opened up about the emotional challenges she faced following the loss of her mother, the legendary Sridevi. In a candid discussion on Raj Shamani’s podcast, she reflected on the scrutiny Sridevi endured throughout her life, particularly the damaging label of being a “homewrecker,” which deeply affected her.
During the podcast, Janhvi described her struggles with grief, stating, “I try to escape my mind, my inner turmoil. The biggest trauma was losing my mom, especially the way I did, in front of the whole world.” She expressed sorrow over the impact of their loss on her and her family, saying, “I didn’t lose one parent, I lost my father also that day, the version of him that existed when she was around.”
In reminiscing about Sridevi’s challenges, Janhvi recounted watching an old interview with her mother, which highlighted the scrutiny Sridevi faced for marrying Boney Kapoor. She noted the cruelty of public perception at that time, saying, “People were not very kind when she was around. It played on her mind and made her feel a certain way.” With maturity, Janhvi acknowledged that her understanding of these circumstances has evolved over time. “I understand her now. And I am sorry that I didn’t understand her before,” she added, recognizing the complexities her mother navigated.
Boney Kapoor’s marriage to Sridevi in 1996 followed the end of his first marriage to Mona Shourie Kapoor, with whom he has two children. Their relationship attracted significant media attention, particularly because it coincided with the end of his first marriage. Despite facing public scrutiny, Boney and Sridevi shared a lasting bond until her untimely death in 2018.
Sridevi, born Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan in 1963, was admired for her extraordinary performances in various Indian films, including classics like “Chandni” and “English Vinglish.” Her accolades included the Padma Shri award, and she garnered critical acclaim for her last film, “Mom,” which earned her a posthumous National Award for Best Actress. Sridevi passed away at the age of 54, with the autopsy report classifying her death as an accidental drowning while in Dubai.
On the professional front, Janhvi Kapoor made her debut in Bollywood with “Dhadak,” shortly after her mother’s passing. She has recently appeared in the romantic comedy “Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari,” alongside Varun Dhawan and Sanya Malhotra. The film performed reasonably well at the box office, grossing around ₹100 crore on a budget of ₹80 crore.
Looking ahead, Janhvi is set to star in the upcoming Telugu film “Peddi,” opposite Ram Charan, which is scheduled for release later this year.