The actress, who is currently gearing up for her Telugu debut Peddi opposite Ram Charan, shared how the combination of immense personal grief and public scrutiny broke her spirit during her first year in the industry.
The Validation Vacuum 💔
Janhvi explained that her mental health struggle was inextricably linked to the loss of her mother, Sridevi, just months before the film’s release:
The Shift: "I got all of my validation in my life from my mom. She went away. So I was like, okay, I'm going to shift that to the audience," Janhvi shared.
The Expectation: She admitted to expecting "across-the-board acceptance" as a coping mechanism for her grief, which she later realized doesn't exist in the real world.
The "Packup" Thought: Despite the film being a hit, she felt worthless. "I thought ho gaya and that packup hogaya (I am done). People hate me."
Ignoring the Success 📈
Interestingly, Janhvi revealed that she couldn't even acknowledge the film's financial success at the time:
The Success Blindspot: "I didn't concentrate or even acknowledge the fact that it was the most commercially successful film with newcomers up until 'Saiyaara' (2026). It didn't even click to me that it was a hit."
The Negative Loop: She confessed to being obsessed with negative comments, which became her only reality. She felt that because she had been "given everything on a platter," she was technically "worthless" as an artist.
On Paparazzi and "Oversexualisation" 📸
The podcast also touched upon Janhvi's current struggles with fame in 2026:
The Paparazzi Talk: She recently confronted photographers, telling them that zooming into specific body parts is "invasive and non-consensual."
The Fear of AI: Janhvi expressed deep anxiety over AI-generated deepfakes, revealing she has seen her likeness misused on porn sites since her school days. "Even when I post something now, I overthink—will this be misused or edited?"
Janhvi Kapoor's Career Evolution (2018–2026)
Phase Key Projects Mental State / Status The Debut (2018) Dhadak Depressed; seeking external validation. The Growth (2020-22) Gunjan Saxena, Mili Feeling "undeserving" but working hard. The Rom-Com (2025) Sunny Sanskari... Moderate success (₹100cr worldwide). The Pan-India (2026) Peddi Confident; focusing on self-acceptance.
SantaBanta Verdict:
Janhvi Kapoor’s revelation is a powerful reminder that "privilege" doesn't insulate one from pain. By admitting that she felt like a failure during her biggest success, she has humanized the "nepo-kid" narrative in a way that few others have. For her fans, this new version of Janhvi—vulnerable but vocal about her boundaries—is far more relatable than the "perfect" debutante we saw eight years ago.
