Janhvi Kapoor Opens Up About Early Paparazzi Encounters and Morphed Images

Expresses Concern About AI Manipulation

In 2018, Janhvi Kapoor marked her Bollywood debut with the film “Dhadak,” stepping into the limelight. However, her journey under the gaze of the public eye began much earlier than her cinematic entry. In a recent conversation, the accomplished actress, reminiscing about her early days, shared how the constant presence of cameras had always been intertwined with her life. She revealed that even before her debut, photographs were taken of her and her sister Khushi Kapoor, often without their consent, significantly impacting her school days. Janhvi also disclosed her distressing experiences with digitally manipulated images during her teenage years.

Speaking with Newslaundry, Janhvi Kapoor reflected on the perpetual presence of cameras in her life, saying, “It has always been a part of my life. The cameras have always been around. In our childhood, it was like we would go out. And people, with or without consent, took pictures of me and my sister.” She recollected that at the tender age of 10, while she was in grade 4, her pictures began circulating on the internet. A startling memory for her was entering her school’s computer lab only to find paparazzi images of herself displayed on her classmates’ screens.

Janhvi Kapoor expressed her discomfort with these paparazzi photos, describing herself as appearing “not groomed” and revealed that the accompanying headlines announced her impending entry into the film industry. Instead of making her popular, these images distanced her from her peers in school. She recounted how her friends started viewing her differently and even made fun of her for not undergoing waxing treatments.

Additionally, Janhvi shared a distressing experience from her teenage years, revealing that she came across digitally altered images of herself on inappropriate, almost pornographic websites. Her concern deepened as she noted the increasing prevalence of fake images, especially with the advancement of AI technology. She remarked, “People see these manipulated images and assume they’re real. That deeply concerns me.”

Turning her focus to her career, Janhvi Kapoor has an exciting lineup of projects ahead. She was last seen in Nitesh Tiwari’s “Bawaal” and is set to appear in films such as “Mr. & Mrs. Mahi” alongside Rajkummar Rao, “Devara” alongside Jr NTR, and “Ulajh” co-starring Roshan Mathew and Gulshan Devaiah.