Mumbai, February 12 Actor Shanaya Kapoor says that destiny brought her to her second film, the survival thriller "Tu Ya Main", in which she plays the role of a social media influencer.
Shanaya, daughter of actors Sanjay Kapoor and Mahi Gill, made her acting debut opposite Vikrant Massey in "Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan". She credited casting director Mukesh Chhabra for the role in "Tu Ya Main".
"When I read the scenes, I found them very interesting. I felt that it was destiny that allowed me to be there at the right time and at the right moment, and Mukesh sir for thinking of me in the first place, that I got the chance to audition. I'm just starting out, so I want to explore everything," she told News Agency PTI.
"Tu Ya Main" revolves around social media influencers portrayed by Shanaya and Adarsh Gourav, whose romantic getaway takes a deadly turn when they find themselves trapped in a swimming pool with a crocodile.
It is directed by Bejoy Nambiar and is scheduled to be released in theaters on February 13.
Shanaya's debut film, "Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan", did not do well at the box office, but the actor said that seeing herself on the big screen for the first time was a "major achievement" for her.
"I wouldn't say that the film didn't receive love. It didn't reflect in the numbers. But for me, it was a moment, and I was happy seeing myself on the big screen. That was the moment that I had been waiting for.
"So, when I was watching it in the theatre, even if no one was there, it was just me, and I was like, 'What is going on?'. I had to soak in that moment and appreciate that moment, and not get distracted by anything else. It was my first movie, and it's very special to me, and it always will be, no matter what," Shanaya said.
Instead of dwelling on the outcome of the film, the actor said she remained focused on her next project, "Tu Ya Main".
"I'm an actor, and I want my films to do well, and I want the audiences to enjoy them. I want the theatre to be packed. That is my dream, and that's what I'm working towards," she said.
To prepare for her role as a social media influencer, Avani, Shanaya said she revisited survival thriller films like "Jaws", "Crawl", and "The Meg". She also did an unconventional acting exercise with acting coach, Atul Mongia.
"Adarsh introduced me to this technique in Atul sir's workshop. At first, when I heard it, I was like, 'I don't know if this is for me, and if I can do it'. But I gave it a shot, and it really helped. I watched a lot of videos of Black Panther, and that really helped. I felt that the way they moved was graceful, sensual, charming, and confident.
"My character, Avani, has that sensual side where you feel a little intimidated, and she's just gazing, she's not looking at you in a way that you get scared, but there's something about her look," Shanaya said.
"Tu Ya Main" is produced by Aanand L Rai, Himanshu Sharma, and Vinod Bhanushali.
