Shanaya Kapoor Speaks Out Before Her Debut—And the Internet Has Thoughts
Bollywood's latest star kid steps into the spotlight with Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, but a single comment about “struggles” sparked a social media firestorm.
There’s a certain brand of heat that only a Bollywood debut can stir up—and right now, Shanaya Kapoor is right at the center of it.
The 25-year-old daughter of Sanjay and Maheep Kapoor—and yes, cousin to Sonam, Arjun, and that whole second-gen Kapoors-of-Kalaba clan—is set to make her big-screen debut in Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, opposite the ever-consistent Vikrant Massey. The film, a poetic romance between two visually impaired characters, wrapped its India schedule a few months ago. Think soft-focus love story with real acting meat. A bold first move, if you ask me.
But here’s where things get interesting. Before the film even drops, Shanaya’s already caught in the crossfire of the nepo baby discourse. And not just from bored trolls—actual Bollywood-watchers have taken issue with a recent interview she gave, where she said, somewhat earnestly:
“Whatever the fame or the pressure, with fame comes comments and criticism. I’ve taken it in a positive way, as feedback… and grown from it.”
Cue Reddit’s version of a standing roast. The clip got uploaded to BollyBlindsNGossip (the peanut gallery of Indian celeb culture), where one user dropped:
“What journey? What struggles??”
Another called the whole thing “ick,” which, in Gen Z speak, is pretty much a public flogging.
To be fair, it’s not that Shanaya said anything outrageous. It’s that the timing—and tone—felt off. When someone who hasn’t even done the press tour for her first film yet starts talking about “growth” from criticism, the crowd doesn’t hear “resilience.” They hear, “I’ve had it hard because Instagram was mean to me.”
And listen—I’ve seen this play out from every angle. I’ve sat in trailers where star-kids get media training drilled into them. I’ve watched young actors trip over their privilege while trying to sound relatable. Shanaya’s slip isn’t new—it’s just happening in a cultural moment that has zero chill for glossy self-awareness. Nepotism isn’t a dirty word anymore; it’s just a tightrope. You either own it with grace, or the internet eats you alive.
What complicates Shanaya’s case is that she has been visible for a while—doing fashion campaigns, reality cameos (Fabulous Lives fans, remember?), red carpet rounds, and a now-infamous music video, “Vibe,” with Guru Randhawa and French Montana. That one got roasted too, mostly because the choreography felt forced, the vibe a little too curated. Reddit, again, was not kind. One user quipped: “Nepotism gave her the stage & she shat all over it.” Oof.
But here’s the insider tea: not everyone in the industry is rolling their eyes. People who’ve worked with her on Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan—including the film’s producer Mansi Bagla—say Shanaya’s genuinely hardworking, gracious on set, and surprisingly low-drama. The kind of girl who shows up early to fittings and texts thank-yous to DOPs. Which, trust me, isn’t standard anymore.
There’s also a bit of historic déjà vu here. Remember when Kareena Kapoor got slammed for being the “ultimate insider”? She famously clapped back with: “My 21 years of working would not have happened with nepotism.” (And, well, she wasn’t wrong.) Even Tusshar Kapoor—a star kid who’s been honest about being told he didn’t “look like a hero”—once said, “Nepotism may get you a stage, but you still have to perform.”
That’s the real story here. Shanaya might’ve wobbled on the mic, but her real test is coming. Not on social media, but on screen. Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan could either stamp her as another pretty face playing pretend—or as someone who’s ready to dig deeper, risk vulnerability, and win people over.
Either way, the buzz is building. The pressure is real. And as much as the internet loves a takedown, it also loves a comeback. So here’s hoping she saves her best lines for the silver screen.
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Sana has been covering film, fame, and everything in between for over a decade. From red carpets to rehab rumors, she brings nuance, wit, and an insider’s edge to every story. When she’s not reporting, she’s probably watching Koffee With Karan reruns or doom-scrolling celebrity IG feeds.
