I’m now working on two big South projects, with Gagan under the Geetha Arts banner – Kashika Kapoor

Kashika Kapoor is an Indian actress and model, known for her work in Bollywood and Telugu cinema as well as music videos. She made her Bollywood debut in the socially driven drama Aayushmati Geeta Matric Pass (2024) and her Telugu debut in LYF: Love Your Father (2025). She has played the female lead in more than a dozen music videos.Kapoor attended Jamnabai Narsee School in Mumbai and later earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree via distance education from NMIMS Deemed-to-be-University. She trained in acting for six months at Jeff Goldberg Studio in Mumbai and completed a three-year professional acting course at the New York Film Academy. Highlights of an exclusive interview given to Rambabu Varma behalf Telugu Times.net when we met recently in Hyderabad.

*Did you like acting since childhood?
-Absolutely. Acting has been something I’ve loved since I was a child. I was always that expressive kid who loved performing on stage — whether it was school plays, dance shows, or even mimicry at home. The idea of becoming different people and telling their stories fascinated me early on. Somewhere deep down, I think I always knew that this was my calling.

*What is your family background? Do you have any connection with the Raj Kapoor family?
I come from a well-educated and supportive family with no film background. There’s no direct connection with the Raj Kapoor family, though I do feel honored to share the same surname as such an iconic legacy. My journey has been entirely self-made, driven by passion, hard work, and the constant desire to grow.

*How far have you studied?
-I’ve always been very focused on academics. I studied at Jamnabai Narsee School, one of Mumbai’s most reputed institutions, and later pursued film and acting studies at the New York Film Academy (NYFA) to refine my craft. I then completed my BBA from NMIMS, and I’m now preparing to pursue my master’s degree alongside my ongoing projects. Education has always been a priority for me — it strengthens my perspective as an artist and as an individual.

*When did you decide to become an actor?
-I started working professionally when I was 15, and that’s when I knew there was no turning back. Acting gave me a sense of belonging — I felt truly alive in front of the camera. Even as a student, I used to balance shoots, academics, and training, and that discipline has stayed with me ever since.

* Tell me a little about yourself (in relation to your acting journey)?
-My journey in front of the camera began quite early. I first gained international recognition as Moco — the face of the global game Free Fire, which gave me immense exposure and connected me with audiences worldwide. That experience gave me confidence and helped me establish my identity across platforms. Soon after, I began my journey in films and music videos with T-Series, gaining major recognition from the song Dil Pe Zakham. I went on to work on several successful projects including Ishqa, Tere Kol Rehna, Thodi Thodi Saans, and O Rano Aaj Bura Na Mano. My web series The Vibe Hunters on Jio Cinema was a milestone — it won an award, and I received the Best Actor (Female) award for my performance as Tanya.
In cinema, I’ve worked on films like Aayushmati Geeta Matric Pass, a socially driven story supporting the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign, and my Telugu-English film LYF (Love Your Father, Love Your Family, Love Your Friends), which released pan-India and received a wonderful response. Each project — whether in gaming, digital, or cinema — has helped me grow as an artist and as a person. I feel incredibly grateful for the love and recognition I’ve received so far.

* What do you like about acting the most?
-For me, acting is about empathy — living lives that aren’t yours and yet finding a piece of yourself in them. I love that through my characters, I can make people feel something real — hope, pain, love, or inspiration. That emotional connection is the most beautiful part of being an actor.

* Did you receive any formal acting training or attend workshops?
-Yes, I did. I trained at the New York Film Academy (NYFA), which gave me a strong foundation in screen acting, performance techniques, and camera awareness. I’ve also attended several acting workshops in India and continue to evolve with every project I take up.
But I genuinely believe that while technique can be taught, no one can truly teach you how to act — that has to come from within. Acting, at its core, is about honesty and emotional truth. You can learn the craft, but the ability to feel, to empathize, and to live as your character must come naturally from your own depth and understanding as a person. That’s what makes each actor unique.

*We heard that you are a national-level sportswoman — how true is that?
-That’s absolutely true. I’ve been a national-level basketball player and swimmer, and I’ve also competed in running. Sports taught me discipline, endurance, and focus — all of which are incredibly valuable in this industry. It also helped me build resilience, which is essential in show business.

* Even though you had an interest in sports, why did you shift toward the film industry?
-Sports shaped my personality, but acting gave me purpose. On the court, I learned strength and teamwork; in front of the camera, I found emotion and self-expression. Acting allows me to reach hearts, tell meaningful stories, and make an impact — and that’s what I wanted most.

*How did you get the opportunity to act in the Telugu movie Love You Father?
-The team had seen my previous work and felt I suited the role perfectly. When I heard the narration, I connected instantly with the film’s message and emotional depth. It’s a project that’s very close to my heart and one that marked a beautiful beginning for me in the Telugu film industry.

* Were you satisfied with your role in Love You Father?
-Yes, completely. It was a very performance-driven role that challenged me emotionally. I feel blessed that I could portray a layered character in my Telugu debut, and the appreciation I received from the audience made it even more special.

*After the release of Love You Father, didn’t you get any offers in Telugu films?
-Yes, I did receive several offers. The Telugu industry has been very welcoming, and I’m grateful for that. I’m currently working on two major South projects, and I’m excited to share details about them soon.

*What kind of roles are you interested in playing?
-I’m drawn to roles that have substance — characters with emotional complexity, strength, and a clear journey. I love stories that inspire or leave an impact, whether they’re intense dramas or light-hearted narratives.

*How do you prepare for a specific character?
-I start by understanding the character’s psychology, motivations, and emotional graph. I like to spend time finding their rhythm, voice, and inner world. I also work very closely with the director to align with their creative vision — for me, it’s never about acting, it’s about becoming that person authentically. I truly dwell in every role I take up. For my debut film Aayushmati Geeta Matric Pass, which focused on women empowerment, I actually spent time in Banaras with local people and young girls who had gone through similar real-life situations. That helped me deeply understand the emotional truth of Geeta’s journey. During LYF (Love Your Father, Love Your Family, Love Your Friends), I wanted to fully embrace the Telugu culture and language. India is such a beautifully versatile country, and we as Indians are so proud of our multilingual identity. Initially, I thought Telugu would be tough to learn, but surprisingly, it turned out to be one of the easiest languages for me to pick up — and I genuinely enjoyed immersing myself in it. Learning the regional nuances not only excited me for my role but also deepened my respect and love for the Tollywood industry.

* In 2021, you made your acting debut with the music video O Mere Dil Ke Chain. How many — -music videos have you done so far? Which one of them became a trending hit?
I’ve done around 10–12 music videos so far, each of which has been a special chapter in my journey. Dil Pe Zakham was definitely the turning point — it became a massive hit and truly made me a household name among the youth.After that, I worked on several songs that were both creatively fulfilling and commercially successful — O Mere Dil Ke Chain, Ishqa, Tere Kol Rehna, Thodi Thodi Saans, Saajan, Hisaab, Neendra, O Maahi, Dil Na Lageya Ve, and O Rano Aaj Bura Na Mano.I also made my Punjabi debut with “Her”, and my Hollywood music debut with rapper Rahul for “Sachha Wala Pyaar”, which was a unique and exciting experience.

Almost all of these projects did exceptionally well, both for me and my career. They brought me recognition, helped me connect with audiences across languages, and eventually opened the doors to bigger opportunities — including my web series and film offers. That’s really how I transitioned into mainstream cinema and found the limelight.

* When you research a role and prepare to perform it, what do you do first?
-I begin by finding the emotional truth of the character — understanding their mindset, insecurities, and motivations. Once that connection is established, everything else — from gestures to expressions — starts to flow naturally.

*What movies are you currently working on?
-I recently wrapped up Aayushmati Geeta Matric Pass, which received immense love nationwide for its powerful message on women’s education. My Telugu-English film LYF (Love Your Father, Love Your Family, Love Your Friends) also released recently and was very well received across audiences. I’m now working on two big South projects, announcements for which will be coming very soon. One of them has already been announced — it’s with Gagan under the Geetha Arts banner, which I’m incredibly excited about. Both projects are very performance-oriented, and I can’t wait for audiences to see a new side of me.