Kashika Kapoor reflects on her journey from an unexpected Bollywood debut to artistic reinvention in Telugu cinema. Rooted in authenticity, she champions balanced work culture, emotional storytelling, and redefining beauty on her own terms
Kashika Kapoor
Kashika Kapoor’s rise in the film industry has been marked not just by her performances, but by the sincerity she brings to every frame she inhabits. In a landscape crowded with newcomers, Kashika stands out for her emotional honesty, her cultural curiosity, and her unwavering commitment to telling stories that mean something. In an exclusive conversation with mid-day, Kashika opens up about her journey as an actor. From an accidental Bollywood debut with Aayushmati Geeta Matric Pass to finding her rhythm in Telugu cinema, and her philosophy on beauty, work culture, and craft.
Kashika on her Bollywood debut
Kashika’s first brush with Bollywood was almost accidental. While shooting an advertisement, her director took one look at her and declared, “You’re my Geeta.” She didn’t fully grasp the weight of those words until she heard the film’s narration- a story rooted in women’s empowerment and education.
“Preparing for Geeta required empathy,” she recalls. “I had to understand her resilience, her silences, her emotional world.” Even while unwell, she delivered the film’s intense one-take climax, driven by the belief that storytelling should spark conversations and touch lives.
Kashika stepped out of her comfort zone right after her Bollywood debut. Kashika stepped into Telugu cinema with LYF (Love Your Father), a move that proved transformative. She describes the industry as a space where “discipline meets warmth,” a balance she deeply cherishes.
Working in a new language pushed her beyond spoken dialogue. Classical dance rehearsals, emotionally layered scenes, and precise coordination helped her expand her artistic vocabulary. “It taught me reinvention,” she says. “And it made me fall in love with storytelling all over again.”
Kashika on working hour debate
As conversations around work culture in the industry gain momentum with Deepika Padukone bringing light to it, Kashika believes the ongoing shift is healthy and necessary. While filmmaking often demands unpredictable hours, she has seen encouraging change. She said, "I think every creative industry goes through phases where conversations about work culture evolve, and it’s wonderful that ours is doing the same. Filmmaking is an intensive process, it involves large teams, unpredictable requirements, and sometimes long hours become a part of that rhythm."
“I’ve worked with teams who are extremely respectful of time and well-being,” she says. For her, the focus shouldn’t be on blame but on building systems that allow creativity and balance to coexist. “And from what I’m seeing, we’re definitely moving in the right direction.”
On breaking the beauty mould
In an industry obsessed with perfection, Kashika chooses authenticity, something rare and refreshing. "In an industry where perfection is constantly projected, I choose to show up as myself, with my natural skin, my dark circles, everything. There’s a quiet power in honesty."
“Beauty isn’t a mould it’s authenticity,” she insists. She wants young girls to know their individuality is their strength. “Confidence doesn’t come from fitting in—it comes from embracing what makes you different.”
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