It's known as the before-and-after affect. And it happens to every aspirant who is blessed with that career-changing hit. Understandably Shraddha Kapoor is left a little dazed and disoriented with all that has happened to her since the release of Aashiqui 2 on Friday.
`I can't believe all this is happening to me! It's just not registering in my mind. I haven't had the time to let it all sink in. I am scared if I begin to understand all that's being said and written about me and my performance I'll just break down and howl.
For now, my co-star Aditya and I are just going crazy with the marketing and promotion. We haven't really had time to feel successful, ` confesses Shraddha.
The overwhelmed young actress admits the experience of being recognized is unique. `People seem to love the film. They've connected with my character.
Suddenly on the roads and in the airports there is a lot of finger-pointing and saying, 'Look, Aashiqui ki heroine'. I am trying to get used to the attention. I've to admit it feels nice. I was in Delhi over the weekend for a wedding. On the airport I had random people coming forward to say hello to me. `
The role of the singer in Aashiqui 2 was providential, as Shradha comes from a family of singers. Her mother Shivangi Kolhapure and her aunt Padmini Kolhapure are singers.
`And do you know, I am related to Lataji and Ashaji ? So playing a singer was part of my karma and in my genes, I guess. Mahesh Bhatt Saab had predicted this film would be the film I'd want to preserve for posterity. He was right. `
There is much jubilation in the Kapoor household, `My home is currently a beehive of activity. My brother and I have releases within a week of each other. So our home is a madhouse at the the moment. I hope it stays that way.
My parents (actor Shakti Kapoor and Shivangi Kolhapure) are over the moon about Aashiqui 2. But the happiest one is my brother. Siddhant Bhaiyya himself makes his debut this week in Shootout At Wadala. So he is excited about my film while I am nervous and excited about his debut. `
Shradha admits the the failure of her initial films affected her. `Of course I was hurt. But when I am started shooting for my first film Teen Patti I was still very raw. I was too young to undertand what was going on. But no regrets at all. Whatever films I chose to do I look at as part of my journey as a human being and an actor. `
Next, Shraddha has Puneet Malhotra's Gori Tere Pyar Mein with Imran Khan and Kareena Kapoor coming up.
`It's a solid part. I can't talk about it now. But I can say this much. People who like me in Aashiqui 2 won't be disappointed with it. I'm getting good offers now. I couldn't have hoped for more. `