Three years of waiting. Four months of intensive workshops. Countless blindfolded rehearsals. Yet when Shanaya Kapoor finally made her Bollywood debut in July 2025, the film earned a devastating Rs. 35 lakhs on opening day—the lowest first-day collection of 2025. The nepotism debate reignited, but there’s more to Shanaya’s story than star-kid privilege and box-office disasters.
Shanaya Kapoor: Profile Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shanaya Kapoor |
| Date of Birth | November 3, 1999 |
| Age | 25 years (2025) |
| Parents | Sanjay Kapoor (Actor), Maheep Kapoor (Jewelry Designer) |
| Education | Ecole Mondiale World School, Mumbai |
| Debut Film | Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan (July 11, 2025) |
| Co-Star | Vikrant Massey |
| Original Debut | Bedhadak (Shelved in 2022) |
| Upcoming Film | Tu Yaa Main (February 14, 2026) |
| @shanayakapoor02 |
The Shelved Launch That Changed Everything
Originally, Karan Johar planned Shanaya’s debut with “Bedhadak” in 2022 alongside Lakshya Lalwani and Gurfateh Pirzada. Posters were released, excitement built, then… silence. The film stalled indefinitely. Lakshya moved on to debut with the critically acclaimed “Kill” in 2023, while Shanaya remained in limbo, watching peers like Khushi Kapoor and Suhana Khan make their debuts.
Rather than rush into any project, Shanaya acknowledged the delays had “ups and downs” but insisted she was aware of what she was choosing as a profession.
Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan: A Beautiful Failure
Adapted from Ruskin Bond’s short story “The Eyes Have It,” the film starred Shanaya as a theater artist and Vikrant Massey as a visually impaired musician who meet on a Himalayan train journey. The premise was poetic, the music by Vishal Mishra was soulful, and Shanaya reportedly performed key scenes blindfolded to authentically portray blindness.
Yet the film earned only Rs. 35 lakhs on its first day, making it 2025’s lowest-opening Bollywood film. Critics called it a “half-baked love story,” though some praised Shanaya’s restraint and performance, noting she exceeded expectations set by recent nepo debuts.
Why Tu Yaa Main Could Be Different
Shanaya’s second film arrives February 14, 2026—a survival thriller directed by Bejoy Nambiar where she and Adarsh Gourav play social media influencers escaping a man-eating crocodile. The unconventional premise has generated buzz, with netizens commenting that “at least she didn’t make her debut with a shitty Dharma shake yo booty film”.
This genre shift suggests strategic thinking. After a romantic drama flopped, trying a thriller with clear commercial hooks makes sense. Plus, Gourav’s critical acclaim from “The White Tiger” adds credibility.
The Nepotism Paradox
Being a Kapoor opened doors—but couldn’t guarantee audiences. Online commenters noted that “even if the movie flops, this Nepo Woman still has 3 new films in the making”, highlighting both privilege and the impossible standard nepo kids face: succeed spectacularly or be dismissed entirely.
Shanaya previously worked as assistant director on cousin Janhvi Kapoor’s “Gunjan Saxena,” learning filmmaking from behind the camera. Her digital presence and active social media following prove she understands modern celebrity beyond traditional film promotions.
What’s Next for Shanaya?
Beyond “Tu Yaa Main,” industry insiders suggest Shanaya has multiple projects in development. Her connection to Dharma Productions remains strong despite “Bedhadak’s” cancellation. The question isn’t whether she’ll get opportunities—it’s whether she can convert them into sustained success.
Her debut may have bombed, but several critics noted her performance exceeded expectations for a newcomer. In an industry where second chances come easily to those with connections, Shanaya’s real test begins with her second film.
Sometimes the longest journey to stardom starts with a spectacular stumble.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What happened to Shanaya Kapoor’s original debut film Bedhadak?
Shanaya Kapoor was originally set to debut in Karan Johar’s “Bedhadak” in 2022 alongside Lakshya Lalwani and Gurfateh Pirzada. The film was announced with promotional posters but never went into production and remains shelved. Meanwhile, Lakshya debuted with “Kill” in 2023, leaving Shanaya waiting until her actual debut “Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan” released in July 2025.
Q2: How did Shanaya Kapoor’s debut film Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan perform at the box office?
“Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan” released on July 11, 2025, and earned only Rs. 35 lakhs on its opening day—the lowest first-day collection for any Bollywood film in 2025. Despite positive reviews for Shanaya’s performance and the film’s beautiful music by Vishal Mishra, it became a box-office bomb and received mostly negative critical reception with a 27% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Sources:
- Wikipedia – Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan
- BollywoodShaadis – Box Office Report
- IMDb – Shanaya Kapoor
- Bollywood Hungama – Filmography
- The Daily Jagran – Interview
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