With her last two releases Aashiqui 2 and Ek Villain entering the prestigious Rs 100 crore-club of Bollywood, Shraddha Kapoor is now gearing up to star opposite her childhood friend Varun Dhawan in ABCD 2. Shraddha feels Varun, who was last seen in romantic comedy Humpty Sharma ki Dulhania, is the most versatile actor of current generation.
“I am excited to shoot with Varun because he is not only my childhood friend but also the most versatile actor of our generation. “We have grown up together in the same film environment as we used to accompany our fathers during the shoots. He is my friend first than a co-star and I really hope that our chemistry as friends translates onscreen too,” Shraddha told PTI in an interview.
Being directed by ace choreographer Remo D’Souza and produced by Disney movies, Any Body Can Dance 2 will go on floors next month for a release next year. Shraddha is worried about matching the high-octane energy of Varun and is currently undergoing dance workshops in Mumbai.
“I am playing a professional dancer in the film. To match up with the energy level of Varun and other real dancers in the film is a challenge for me. “I am rehearsing a lot with them. ABCD 2 is a great learning experience for me as I am getting to learn how to become passionate and dedicated towards your interest.” The sequel of the last year’s 3D dance film will also see the previous actors Prabhu Deva, Lauren Gottlieb, Punit Pathak Dharmesh Yelande reprising their roles besides Shraddha and Varun playing the lead.
Shraddha credits the back-to-back success of her last two relases Aashiqui 2 and Ek Villain to her director Mohit Suri. “I am lucky that I have given two hits and I owe my success to Mohit Suri. But at the same time I have to work hard to fulfil the expectations from my fans. I just hope that all these films help me to sharpen my acting prowess,” she said.
Shraddha, who is the daughter of Shakti Kapoor, started her career with Amitabh Bachchan starrer ‘Teen Patti’ but she could not make a mark in the industry despite having a dream start. Her second outing as a college girl in Yash Raj Films’ Luv Ka The End also went unnoticed.
Shraddha, however, is happy to see her stock rise in Bollywood despite a poor start. “I am happy that I am getting unique and challenging roles now despite giving two unsuccessful films. With my each film I am learning as an actress,” she said.
The next big challenge for Shraddha is the Vishal Bhardwaj-directed Haider. The film, an adaptation of Hamlet, completes Bhardwaj’s trilogy of William Shakespeare’s tragedies after Macbeth and Othello, which the director translated to the big screen in Maqbool and Omkara.
The young star will have to match up to a stellar star cast of Shahid Kapoor, Tabu, Kay Kay Menon and Irrfan. Shraddha’s role is based on Hamlet’s tragic lover Ophelia.
“I still can’t believe that Vishal sir gave me this opportunity to be a part of the film which has a cast like Shahid Kapoor, Tabuji, Kay Kay and Irrfan,” Shraddha said.