5 Years of Dhadak: How Janhvi Kapoor went from girl-next-door to the modern woman in her half a decade film career

Shashank Khaitan’s Dhadak has completed five years today. With that, Janhvi Kapoor, who made her debut with the film, also completed five years in the industry. Awaiting her release Bawaal, the actress has transformed from the girl-next-door in Dhadak to the modern woman in Gunjan Saxena and Mili (the one who survives despite the conditions).

Here’s looking at her career graph so far:

Debut with Dhadak

In the Bollywood film Dhadak, Janhvi Kapoor portrays the character of Parthavi Singh, a young and spirited girl from a wealthy upper-caste family in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Parthavi is confident, independent and full of life. She is well aware of her privileged background but also carries a sense of empathy and understanding for people from different walks of life.

Parthavi’s path crosses with Madhukar ‘Madhu’ Bhagla, played by Ishaan Khatter, who comes from a lower caste background and belongs to a modest family that runs a restaurant. Despite the societal barriers and family opposition due to their different social statuses, Parthavi and Madhu fall in love with each other.

The film explores the challenges and obstacles that the couple faces in their relationship as they try to bridge the gap between their worlds and overcome the deep-rooted prejudices and norms of society. Janhvi Kapoor’s portrayal of Parthavi showcases a range of emotions, from joy and love to pain and determination, making her character a significant part of the film's narrative.

Exploring Ghost Stories

In the anthology film Ghost Stories, Janhvi Kapoor appears in the segment directed by Zoya Akhtar. The film is a collection of four short horror stories from different directors and each story revolves around supernatural elements and eerie themes.

In Janhvi Kapoor’s segment, she plays the role of Sameera, a young nurse who is hired to care for an elderly bedridden woman in a remote and eerie mansion. As she begins her duties, strange and unsettling events start to unfold, causing her to question her sanity and the reality around her.

Janhvi Kapoor’s performance in the film showcases her versatility as an actor, effectively portraying the fear and vulnerability of her character in the haunted setting. Her segment adds a chilling and suspenseful element to the overall anthology, leaving audiences intrigued and on the edge of their seats.

The high point – Turning Gunjan Saxena

In the biographical drama film Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, Janhvi Kapoor portrays the real-life character of Flight Lieutenant Gunjan Saxena, who is one of the first Indian women to become a combat pilot in the Indian Air Force. The film is based on the inspiring and courageous journey of Gunjan Saxena, who faced numerous challenges and obstacles to achieve her dream of serving as a pilot in the IAF.

The story follows Gunjan Saxena’s determination and passion for flying, her struggles during training, and her eventual deployment in the Kargil War of 1999. Despite facing gender biases and skepticism from her male counterparts, Gunjan proves her mettle and dedication, earning the respect of her fellow soldiers and becoming an inspiration to many.

Janhvi Kapoor’s portrayal of Gunjan Saxena received praise from both critics and audiences. She effectively captures the essence of Gunjan’s character, depicting her as a strong, resilient and trailblazing individual who defies societal norms to pursue her dreams.

The film highlights the importance of gender equality and the empowerment of women in traditionally male-dominated professions. It celebrates the real-life achievements of Flight Lieutenant Gunjan Saxena, who played a significant role in breaking barriers for women in the Indian Armed Forces.

Lead role in the horror-comedy franchise film, Roohi

In the horror-comedy film Roohi, Janhvi Kapoor plays a dual role, portraying the characters of Roohi and Afza. The movie revolves around a quirky and supernatural premise, where Roohi and Afza are two personalities inhabiting the same body due to a strange and haunting curse.

Roohi is a timid and innocent village girl who is possessed by the spirit of Afza, an assertive and bold woman with a mischievous nature. The two personalities coexist within Roohi and they often take control of her body, leading to chaotic and humorous situations.

The film follows the misadventures of Roohi and Afza as they navigate their shared existence and the complications it brings to their lives. Alongside Rajkummar Rao and Varun Sharma, who play the male leads, Janhvi Kapoor's performance adds a unique and entertaining dimension to the film.

Good Luck Jerry, followed by Mili

Good Luck Jerry, which is a remake of the 2018 Tamil film Kolamavu Kokila, turned out to be one of Janhvi’s best decisions. Her performance was lauded by viewers and critics alike.

Playing Mili, a woman who struggles to survive, in her very next film, only helped boost Janhvi’s career. The film, which is a remake of the Malayalam movie Helen (2019) was lauded by one-and-all. Janhvi, too, received a lot of praises for her character.

The actress is now seen playing Nisha Dixit, a wife from small town stuck in the middle of World War II during their honeymoon in Europe. Fans cannot wait to find out what this movie will offer.