In an age when actors are constantly chasing visibility, Vaani Kapoor stands out for doing just the opposite. With just over a dozen titles like Shuddh Desi Romance, Befikre, Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, Raid 2 to her name in a career that spans more than a decade, Vaani has opted for quality over quantity—strategically choosing roles that challenge her, excite her, and help her grow. Her latest outing, Mandala Murders, marks her OTT debut and might just be one of her most transformative performances yet. In a candid conversation, the actress opened up about the reasons she took on the project, the emotional and physical toll of action sequences, and why she doesn’t believe in doing films for the sake of staying visible.The lure of ‘Mandala Murders’: A storyteller’s visionWhen asked what drew her to Mandala Murders, Vaani is quick to credit director Gopi Puthran. “When Gopi sir met me, I’d already seen his previous work, the film she directed and he wrote.I’ve always connected to his world as an audience,” she shares. “So I knew I could trust him and surrender to him.”It wasn’t just the script or the platform that pulled her in—it was the opportunity to immerse herself in a character that felt grounded, unpredictable, and emotionally layered. “Rhea’s character had a sense of gravitas without being too heavy. The essence of her was very new for me,” Vaani says, acknowledging that this was a genre and a role she hadn’t explored before.“It was the writing. It was the character. It fascinated me,” she says.Pushing physical limits: Action in the summer heatWhile the emotional depth of Mandala Murders intrigued her, it was the action sequences that surprised both Vaani and the audience. “I wanted to do more!” she laughs, recalling how she kept pestering the action director for extra stunts. “I was very enthusiastic. I didn’t realize how excruciatingly exhausting it would be.”Shot in peak summer in Lucknow at 44 degrees Celsius, one of the key action set pieces had to be wrapped in a single day. “People were fainting on set. We were surviving on coconut water and watermelon juice,” she remembers vividly. “But we had to keep bringing the same energy again and again for different angles. It was mentally, physically, and emotionally draining.”Despite the toll, Vaani found the challenge rewarding. “I enjoy pushing my boundaries. I’ve always had a critical lens on my own work, but I’m happy people are responding positively to it.” And through the process, she developed a newfound respect for action stars. “Hats off to every action hero in our industry—it’s like choreography. You miss one beat, and you could injure yourself or someone else.”Respecting the craft, choosing with careLooking at her filmography, it’s easy to wonder why an actor of Vaani’s caliber hasn’t done more films. But for her, the answer is simple: she’s deliberate, not hesitant. “Whatever has come my way, I have tried to pick the best out of that lot. It’s not easy. It’s not like I’m waking up with the best filmmakers sending me their scripts. You have to earn it. No matter what people say, I find myself very lucky. I’m grateful that a studio like Yash Raj Films backed me. But even then, I had to audition and prove my worth. They only chose me after multiple auditions. My journey hasn’t been very easy. I have made very little money. I support myself, I support my family. One can always feel selfish and say, ‘Let’s do it for the money.’ But I’m lucky—my family has never burdened me with that pressure. Nobody’s said, ‘Do this because we need you to.’ I’m very grateful to the support system I have, whether it’s my family or my agency. When it comes to picking films, that’s one thing I don’t want to compromise on, I will work more with brands and endorsements etc. “Her best friend Rashi Khanna’s reactionOne of the most heartfelt moments in the conversation comes when Vaani talks about her friend and fellow actress, Rashi Khanna. “She was pleasantly surprised watching me in Mandala Murders,” Vaani says. “She said, ‘I’ve never seen you do something like this.’” Vaani confesses she kept asking Rashi to be objective, to be critical if needed. “She’s sweet and lovely, but I think she genuinely liked it. That’s a big compliment.”A final word on War 2 , and what’s aheadFans of War were also curious about whether Vaani would appear in the upcoming sequel War 2 with Hrithik Roshan , especially since she played a significant role in the first installment. With a smile, Vaani says, “I loved being a part of War 1. If there’s ever a space for me in the Spy Universe, I’d love to be a part of it again.”For now, though, Mandala Murders is her moment. It’s a bold, physical, emotionally resonant leap that shows just how much Vaani Kapoor is willing to give when the role feels right.
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