#BazaarWomenInFocus: Janhvi Kapoor is defining stardom on her own terms

Actress Janhvi Kapoor walked onto the Harper’s Bazaar Women of the Year 2025 stage with quiet confidence at the event held at Trident, Bandra Kurla Complex, in Mumbai on October 25. She accepted her award with a mix of grace, humility, and gratitude—qualities that have come to define her both on and off screen.

Since her debut in Dhadak (2018), Kapoor's journey has been anything but ordinary. Entering Bollywood as the daughter of two of India’s most prominent film personalities—late legend Sridevi and filmmaker Boney Kapoor—she carried the weight of legacy and expectation, and in the years since, she has paved a path that is distinctly her own.

What stands out about Kapoor is her refusal to play it safe. After the romantic innocence of Dhadak, she chose roles that demanded emotional intensity and transformation. In Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, she captured the courage of India’s first female Air Force pilot with sensitivity and strength. The film established her as more than just a newcomer; it showed her instinct for authenticity. Then came Roohi, where she took on a horror-comedy with surprising flair, blending vulnerability with chaos. In Mili, a survival thriller, she delivered a performance that was both raw and deeply human. Critics praised her willingness to surrender to the part, unafraid to look imperfect or fragile on screen.

Her most recent work, Homebound, marks her biggest leap yet. Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, the film has drawn global attention for its emotional storytelling and nuanced performances. With its Oscar nomination, Homebound has not only expanded Kapoor's reach internationally but also proven that she belongs to a generation of Indian actors ready to take their stories to the world stage.

Off-screen, Kapoor continues to grow into her own voice. She speaks openly about ambition, vulnerability, and the pressures of being seen through the lens of privilege. But she also allows her work to answer those conversations, as with every new role, she reminds audiences that effort, sincerity, and craft can cut through these preconceived notions.

Her acceptance speech at Harper's Bazaar Women of the Year Awards reflected that same mix of honesty and heart. She said, "It is such an honour to be in this room filled with such iconic women. I would like to thank Harper’s Bazaar for this recognition. Honestly, when I did the film Homebound, it was the one film that I did without ever expecting or wanting anything in return. I just did it purely because I wanted to be a part of the story and to work with this genius artist that is Neeraj Ghaywan, and actually it has turned out to be the film that’s given me the most."

"So thank you for this recognition. It gives me motivation. It gives me hope that some people can see beyond their perceptions of my privilege and hopefully see the work that I am trying to do," she added.

As she continues to explore new genres and global collaborations, Kapoor's WOTY 2025 award is not just a celebration of her success but a recognition of the growth and resilience of a young woman steadily transforming into one of Indian cinema’s most compelling voices.
 

Also read: Harper’s Bazaar Women of the Year Awards 2025: The game-changing winners you need to know

Also read: Kalli Purie’s Heartfelt words on strength, love, and serendipity at Bazaar’s Women of the Year 2025