5 Janhvi Kapoor characters that taught us there’s immense strength in vulnerability

As Janhvi Kapoor turns 28 today, let’s take a look at some of her memorable roles that inspire us to power through our difficulties with courage and determination!

Vulnerability is a word often associated with feelings of fear, shame, uncertainty and all things negative. One often dreads being vulnerable despite it being one of the most regular human experiences. There is immense strength in vulnerability. It empowers one to be their authentic self, to show courage that might often open doors to new opportunities or life-long relationships, and contrary to popular belief, it is a rather liberating experience!

Confused?! Let’s visit one thing we often turn to for finding answers and meaning for complex ideas - movies! There is no dearth of films that epitomize the idea of protagonists finding courage in their moments of vulnerability in Bollywood. The best and the most recent examples are that of Janhvi Kapoor’s movies. 

Also Read: Ziddi Girls serves as a reminder that sometimes being ziddi is just as important as it is necessary!

Take a look!

Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl

Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl was an endearing tale of a feminist father and a determined daughter. The film focuses on Gunjan Saxena’s journey of becoming a pilot which is marked by systemic sexism and doubt. She has to prove herself worthy of the opportunity almost every day, creating a constant state of vulnerability and self-doubts. However, her mental conditioning and unwavering commitment to her dreams help her overcome all the deterrents and setbacks, proving inner strength can turn any dream into reality. 

Good Luck Jerry

Good Luck Jerry was widely appreciated for its sharp writing, humor, and performances. Kapoor’s willingness to take on another woman-centric film after Gunjan Saxena over the usual eye candy roles, which would have been a safer option at that point of her career, was also praised by Bollywood buffs. The actress played Jerry, a masseuse who takes up a risky drug smuggling operation to provide for her ailing mother. Her financial crisis, mother’s health, and the perils of dealing with drug peddlers leave her immensely vulnerable. However, she rises to the occasion and displays solid resourcefulness and resilience to navigate through her problems. She uses her smarts and adaptability to swim through the troubled waters of her predicament. The chaos and drama keep the film light-hearted, however, the narration doesn't shy away from showcasing the emotional turmoils of Jerry as she deals with overwhelming odds to protect her family. Jerry’s situation might have left her feeling weak and helpless, however her strong actions and decisive nature help her script a happy ending.

Mili

This survival thriller, too established Kapoor as an actress to be taken seriously. She played Mili, an ambitious girl who dreams of moving to Canada for a better life and to pay off her father’s debts. She is also a sincere daughter and a girlfriend, however, her father is against her idea of moving abroad and also disapproves of her relationship. Things then take a cruel turn when Mili gets trapped in a storage freezer while working part-time at a restaurant. All of this makes Mili’s situation inherently vulnerable, both emotionally and physically. However, it is during this face of adversity that she finds strength and displays great resilience and adaptability in her fight to survive. The narration was a complex interplay of a subtle commentary on a working woman’s life and the thrill of the protagonist surviving in a life-threatening situation, handled well by Kapoor.  

Bawaal

The film was embroiled in various controversies, however, Kapoor's nuanced portrayal of her character Nisha was widely appreciated by audiences and critics. Nisha is epileptic, a medical condition, her image-conscious narcissist husband Ajay (Varun Dhawan) is embarrassed of, leading to a troubled marriage, making her feel extremely vulnerable. However, she displays great emotional fortitude and stands up for her dignity as a wife. She holds her husband accountable and calls him out for his toxic behavior. Kapoor’s portrayal of Nisha’s emotional strength that helps Ajay correct the course of his life and in-turn save their marriage testified her growth as an actor. One major takeaway from the film is that it’s okay to be an average person with imperfections than to be a fake person.

Ulajh

This spy thriller failed to impress the audience however, Kapoor's character proved there is immense strength in vulnerability. The plot focused on Suhana Bhatia, a young IFS officer who gets entangled in a dangerous personal conspiracy amidst a career-defining post abroad. The opportunity she gets despite her young age and the fact that she hails from an illustrious family of patriots, leaves her in an extremely helpless situation. She is exploited, blackmailed, and targeted consistently, however, she braves it all and proves her worth through her wits and courage. It is important to note that Suhana wasn’t your regular Bollywood spy who was battle-ready and trained to take on four men in a hand to hand combat. She was a government functionary who had to play by the rules to outsmart her blackmailers and would be held accountable for every step she takes. Suhana, however, displays a great deal of fortitude and determination to power through her testing times. 

Kapoor, who was once constantly targeted for her fabled last name, has grown strength to strength as an actor. The actress’ unique choice of films, her courage to experiment with diverse genres, and her authentic media presence have won over her critics and made her a force to be taken seriously!

Here’s celebrating the strength in her vulnerability! Happy Birthday Janhvi!  

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