Shraddha Kapoor is a prominent Indian actress known for her versatile performances in Bollywood films. Born on March 3, 1987, in Mumbai, India, she comes from a family deeply rooted in the Indian film industry. Kapoor made her acting debut in 2010 with the film "Teen Patti" and gained recognition for her breakthrough role in the romantic drama "Aashiqui 2" (2013). Since then, she has appeared in a wide range of films, showcasing her talent across various genres, including romance, comedy, action, and drama. Apart from her acting prowess, Shraddha has also captivated audiences with her singing abilities and has been actively involved in philanthropic endeavours. With her charm and widespread popularity, Shraddha has created an outstanding career in the Indian film industry. Let’s know more about her life and journey.
Family and Early Life
Shraddha Kapoor was born and raised in Mumbai. Her family background is a mix of Punjabi, Marathi, and Konkani descent. She comes from a Punjabi background on her father's side, while her maternal relatives hail from Maharashtra and Goa. Her maternal grandfather, Pandharinath Kolhapure, is the nephew of renowned singers Deenanath Mangeshkar and cousin of Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. This musical lineage influenced Shraddha’s upbringing, and she was raised in a Marathi cultural setting.
Shraddha went through a tomboyish phase during her childhood and had a strong attitude. She even sought out fights with boys, reflecting her spirited nature. Her family is deeply rooted in the Indian film industry. Her father, Shakti Kapoor, and mother, Shivangi Kapoor, are actors, as are her aunts Padmini Kolhapure and Tejaswini Kolhapure. Moreover, Shraddha is the great-niece of iconic singers Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Meena Khadikar, Usha Mangeshkar, and Hridaynath Mangeshkar. Growing up surrounded by actors, she strongly desired to become an actress.
From a young age, Shraddha harboured dreams of acting. She would wear her parents' clothes, rehearse film dialogues, and dance to Bollywood songs in front of the mirror. Her passion for acting led her to accompany her father to various shooting locations. During one such shoot by director David Dhawan, Shraddha befriended actor Varun Dhawan, and they would pretend to be a camera crew, holding a torch and reciting film lines to each other. They would also dance to popular songs from Govinda's films.
Education
Shraddha completed her schooling at Jamnabai Narsee School. At the age of 15, she transferred to the American School of Bombay, where she became schoolmates with Tiger Shroff and Athiya Shetty. Athiya later revealed that they participated in dance competitions together. At the age of 17, Shraddha ventured into sports and played soccer and handball, seeking challenging experiences.
After completing her school education, Shraddha enrolled at Boston University with a major in psychology. However, her journey took a turn when she was discovered on Facebook by producer Ambika Hinduja, who cast her in the film “Teen Patti”. Shraddha left her studies in her freshman year to pursue her acting career. Interestingly, even before this opportunity,Salman Khan had approached her with a role in the film “Lucky: No Time for Love” in 2005 when she was just 16 years old. However, she rejected the offer at that time, as she had aspirations of becoming a psychologist.
Bollywood Career
Shraddha Kapoor's journey from a spirited and tomboyish child to a successful Bollywood actress is a testament to her talent and determination. With her diverse cultural heritage and the influence of her family, she has carved a niche for herself in the Indian film industry. Let’s know about the beginning of her inspirational career in the Bollywood industry.
Early stages
Shraddha Kapoor made her acting debut in 2010 with the thriller film "Teen Patti," sharing the screen with renowned actors such as Amitabh Bachchan, Ben Kingsley, and R. Madhavan. Although the film received negative reviews, Shraddha's performance was well-received. Critics noted her potential and described her as a raw talent with a lot to offer. Following her debut, she signed a three-film deal with Yash Raj Films. In 2011, she appeared in the teen comedy "Luv Ka The End" opposite Taaha Shah. Although the film underperformed at the box office, Shraddha's portrayal of a teenage student seeking revenge received positive reviews. Her confident performance impressed critics, and she won the Stardust Searchlight Award for Best Actress.
In 2013, Shraddha found her breakthrough role in Mohit Suri's romantic musical "Aashiqui 2," the sequel to the 1990 film "Aashiqui", opposite Aditya Roy Kapur. The film was a commercial success, earning over ₹1.09 billion globally. Her performance was highly praised, with critics commending her vulnerable portrayal. In the same year, she also appeared in a guest role in the romantic comedy "Gori Tere Pyaar Mein." Her next notable film was the romantic thriller "Ek Villain" in 2014, in which she also made her singing debut in with the song "Galliyan." This film was a major commercial success.
In 2014, Shraddha also starred alongside Shahid Kapoor, Irrfan Khan, Tabu, and Kay Kay Menon in the critically acclaimed drama "Haider," an adaptation of William Shakespeare's Hamlet. Critics appreciated Kapoor's nuanced portrayal and her ability to capture the complexities of her character. She also performed an item number named "Dance Basanti" opposite Imran Hashmi in the thriller film "Ungli," produced by Karan Johar. In 2015, Shraddha appeared in the dance film sequel "ABCD 2" (Any Body Can Dance 2), where she played the role of Vinita Sharma, a hip-hop dancer. The film was a commercial success, becoming her most widely-seen film at that time, earning ₹1.57 billion worldwide.
Shraddha Kapoor started 2016 with the action film "Baaghi," opposite Tiger Shroff. She portrayed the love interest of the rebellious lead character, and her role required her to learn Kalaripayattu, a martial art form. While critics considered her character to be dated, they acknowledged her satisfactory performance in romantic and action sequences.
Struggles
Shraddha Kapoor's career continued in 2016 with the release of the rock musical drama "Rock On 2," a sequel to the 2008 film "Rock On!!" In the film, she starred alongside Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal, and Prachi Desai, portraying the character of Jiah Sharma, an introverted singer and keyboard player. To prepare for the role, Shraddha isolated herself and immersed herself in books. She also underwent vocal training under singer Samantha Edwards. However, the film received negative reviews, and Shraddha's performance was criticized as "self-consciously meek and submissive".
In 2017, Shraddha appeared in the romantic comedy "Ok Jaanu," her second collaboration with Aditya Roy Kapur. Her next movie was the romance film "Half Girlfriend," based on Chetan Bhagat's novel of the same name, opposite Arjun Kapoor. Later, she appeared in "Haseena Parkar," a biopic of Dawood Ibrahim's sister, who had her own crime ring. she played the titular role, with her brother Siddhanth Kapoor essaying Dawood Ibrahim's character. Unfortunately, the film received negative reviews.
Despite the underwhelming performances of her films during this period, Shraddha continued to pursue her acting career with determination. She displayed versatility by taking on diverse roles, but her performances were met with mixed reviews. Her journey in the film industry showcased both successes and failures, and she remained committed to honing her craft and delivering memorable performances in the future.
Success
Shraddha Kapoor's career continued to evolve with a variety of roles and film releases. In 2018, she starred opposite Rajkummar Rao in the horror comedy "Stree." The film featured Shraddha as a mysterious woman who falls in love with Rajkumar’s character. Critics praised Shraddha for her portrayal of the enigmatic woman. "Stree" became Shraddha’s highest-grossing film at that time, earning over ₹1.7 billion at the box office. In the same year, she reunited with Shahid Kapoor in "Batti Gul Meter Chalu," a social problem film tackling electricity issues in rural India. She was drawn to the project because of its social message. In 2019, she appeared opposite Prabhas in the action film "Saaho," shot in both Telugu and Hindi languages. While the film received mixed reviews, Shraddha's performance was criticized by some. However, its Hindi version was a commercial success.
Her next release was "Chhichhore" in 2019, a comedy-drama set in a college environment, co-starring Sushant Singh Rajput. Shraddha's performance in the film received great praise. The film emerged as one of Shraddha's most successful films, earning over ₹2 billion worldwide. In 2020, Shraddha reunited with Varun Dhawan in the dance film "Street Dancer 3D." The film received mixed reviews and did not perform well commercially. She then appeared alongside Tiger Shroff in the spiritual sequel "Baaghi 3," which faced challenges due to theatre closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and had underwhelming commercial performance.
After a three-year pause due to the pandemic, Shraddha returned to the screen in 2023 with Luv Ranjan's romantic comedy "Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar," co-starring Ranbir Kapoor. Her performance in the film received great appreciation. The film achieved moderate commercial success.
Movies List
| # | Movie Name | Releasing Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Teen Patti | 2010 |
| 2 | Luv Ka The End | 2011 |
| 3 | Aashiqui 2 | 2013 |
| 4 | Ek Villain | 2014 |
| 5 | Haider | 2014 |
| 6 | ABCD 2 | 2015 |
| 7 | Baaghi | 2016 |
| 8 | Rock On 2 | 2016 |
| 9 | Ok Jaanu | 2017 |
| 10 | Half Girlfriend | 2017 |
| 11 | Haseena Parkar | 2017 |
| 12 | Stree | 2018 |
| 13 | Batti Gul Meter Chalu | 2018 |
| 14 | Saaho | 2019 |
| 15 | Chhichhore | 2019 |
| 16 | Street Dancer 3D | 2020 |
| 17 | Baaghi 3 | 2020 |
| 18 | Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar | 2023 |
Tracks
Shraddha Kapoor has not only known for her charming acting skills and screen presence but also for her melodious voice. She has sung various songs in her career. Let’s have a look at her popular tracks.
| # | Track Name | Album | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Galliyan | Ek Villain | 2014 |
| 2 | Do Jahaan | Haider | 2014 |
| 3 | Bezubaan Phir Se | ABCD 2 | 2015 |
| 4 | Sab Tera | Baaghi | 2016 |
| 5 | Tere Mere Dil | Rock On 2 | 2016 |
| 6 | Udja Re | Rock On 2 | 2016 |
| 7 | Woh Jahaan | Rock On 2 | 2016 |
| 8 | Rock On-Revisited | Rock On 2 | 2016 |
| 9 | Phir Bhi Tumko Chaahungi | Half Girlfriend | 2017 |
| 10 | Hum Hindustani | _ | 2021 |
Achievements
| # | Award Name | Receiving Year | Received For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BIG Star Entertainment Award for Best Romantic Couple | 2013 | Aashiqui 2 |
| 2 | Screen Award for Jodi No. 1 | 2014 | Aashiqui 2 |
| 3 | Star Guild Award for Jodi of the Year | 2014 | Aashiqui 2 |
| 4 | Global Indian Music Academy Award for Best Celebrity Singer of the Year | 2015 | Ek Villain |
| 5 | Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards India for Favourite Movie Actress | 2019 | Chhichhore |
Social Life
Shraddha Kapoor's life extends beyond her film career, as she actively engages in various activities and has established herself as a popular celebrity in India. Alongside acting, she has supported charitable organizations, performed in stage shows, and showcased her singing talents in her films. She has been a prominent figure in the fashion industry, ramp-walking for renowned designers during the Lakme Fashion Week and gracing the covers of numerous magazines.
Her association with several brands as a brand ambassador further demonstrates her popularity and influence. Shraddha has represented brands like Lakmé, Veet, Lipton, Marico's Hair & Care, and many others. Bollywood Hungama recognized her as one of the most sought-after names in the advertising industry. In 2015, she ventured into the fashion world by launching her women's clothing line called Imara in collaboration with Amazon.com. In 2021, she expanded her entrepreneurial endeavours by investing in the beverage brand Shunya.
Shraddha’s Popularity
Shraddha’s fame and appeal have garnered her recognition and accolades. She has been listed among the world's sexiest actresses by FHM's Indian edition and ranked highly in McAfee's most-searched celebrities poll. Google Trends identified her as one of the most-searched Indian actresses during the years 2014 and 2015. Rediff.com featured her in their list of top 10 Bollywood actresses, while The Times of India recognized her as one of the most desirable women. The International Business Times positioned her among the top actresses, and she has been celebrated for her success and earnings.
Forbes magazine highlighted Shraddha as one of the most successful Asians under the age of 30, emphasizing her achievements and financial prosperity. Her popularity extends to social media, where she has a significant fan following. In 2016, she ranked as the third most-followed Indian actress on Instagram, surpassing 10 million followers. Shraddha's fashion sense has also garnered attention, with media outlets lauding her style and inviting her to participate in ramp walks for esteemed fashion designers. Shraddha Kapoor's financial success is evident in her inclusion among the highest-paid actresses in Bollywood, with earnings of ₹50 million per film in 2016. Eastern Eye recognized her as one of the sexiest women in Bollywood in 2018. She has also been acknowledged for her commitment to a vegetarian lifestyle, earning the title of Hottest Vegetarian by Peta India in 2020.
Beyond her career and fashion endeavours, Shraddha actively supports causes close to her heart. In 2021, she was featured in a documentary titled "Tails of Boo Boo & Cuddly Poo," shedding light on the challenges faced by stray animals. Through her multifaceted pursuits and widespread popularity, Shraddha Kapoor has become an influential figure in the entertainment industry, fashion world, and social causes. Her talent, style, and philanthropic efforts continue to captivate audiences and reinforce her position as one of India's most celebrated celebrities.
Wrapping Up
Shraddha has established herself as a versatile actress, showcasing her talent in a variety of roles across genres. She has garnered praise for her performances, earning nominations and awards for her work in the Indian film industry. With her dedication and growing popularity, she continues to be a prominent figure in Bollywood. While some of her films have faced critical and commercial challenges, she has also achieved notable success and continues to evolve as an actor.
