Is Janhvi Being Compared Unfavourably With Her Mother?

The verdict is out. Sridevi’s daughter is  star material. She proves  it in Dhadak. However  the inevitable comparisons with the legendary mother are also happening.

Worried and  anxious father Boney Kapoor says he was afraid of that. “We  knew  Janhvi would be compared with her  mother. Sri knew it too and it worried her. Sri had prepared Janhvi for these inevitable comparisons.”

However the good news for Janhvi is that no one is really comparing her  to her  mother after seeing her on screen.

Shabana Azmi who is  a close friend  of the Kapoors feels there  is no reason to compare Janhvi with her  mother.  “Though there aresimiliarities Janhvi  is a different kind of actor from her mother..and that will hold her in good stead.What a polished debut!A star is born !! I loved Ishaan too , charming earnest endearing .I wish them both the very best from the bottom of my heart .”

Filmmaker R Balki who is a close family friend of Sridevi and Boney Kapoor raves, “Janhvi is  fabulous! Sri would’ve been more than proud of her. More importantly  everyone  will love her  performance.She is not a copy of her  mother at all.”

 Trada analyst Amod Mehra feels the  comparisons must be  reined-in. “I am sure everyone knows such comparisons are unfair to  a newcomer. You can’t  compare a super-legend like Sridevi to  her daughter who is just starting out.”

Filmmaker  Gauri Shinde who had the opportunity to work with   Sridevi in one of her last memorable  roles in English Vinglish can’t stop herself from getting emotional . “Janhvi is  so  original. She has her own  charm her own adaa…”

 Says entertainment  journalist Bharti S Pradhan , “Janhvi makes such a sure-footed and spirited debut in Dhadak that you welcome her as a chip off the block. Hers is a confident performance, so there’s really no question of Janhvi suffering because of comparisons to her mother. I think the audience too is going to see her as a refreshing newcomer and not judge her by Sridevi’s standards.”

Adds trade analyst Atul  Mohan, “Comparisons should not be drawn.It burdens the kid but Janhvi will have to face it. She knows she is daughter of legendary Sridevi and must have prepared herself for that. But she has the guidance of her family which has vast experience in father Boney, uncle Anil, cousins  Sonam and brother Arjun, mentor Karan johar. She should be able to make her own identity.”

Film critic Raja Sen has the last laugh. “The problem is  not the  comparisons with   her mother, .The problem is largely  because nobody is sure how to spell Janhvi’s name.”