Sanah Kapur recalls why Supriya Pathak was hesitant about her acting career: 'Iss profession ka joh frustration hai…'

Actor Sanah Kapur, known for her performances in films like ‘Shaandaar’ and ‘Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi’, recently spoke candidly about her journey into acting and the concerns her mother, veteran actor Supriya Pathak, had when she first expressed interest in joining the industry.

Sanah shared that despite growing up around cinema, her mother was initially reluctant about her choosing the same path because of the pressures and emotional challenges that come with the profession.

Supriya Pathak didn't want Sanah Kapur to choose acting

In an interview with Bollywood Bubble, speaking about the time when she began thinking seriously about her career, Sanah remembered how she openly told people she wanted to become an actor, though her mother wasn’t fully convinced.

She said, “Ek age aati hai jab aap teenager hote ho aur thode serious hone lagte ho. Log poochne lagte hain ki career mein kya karna hai. Us time main toh kehti thi ki main actress banungi. Lekin Mom nahi chahti thi ki main actress banu.

Unke hisaab se main, very honestly, strong enough nahi thi.” (There comes an age when you are a teenager and start thinking seriously about your future. People begin asking what you want to do in life.

At that time, I would always say that I wanted to become an actress. But Mom didn’t want me to pursue acting. She felt, very honestly, that I wasn’t strong enough for it.)At this point, Supriya Pathak briefly interjected and clarified, “No, no, I don’t think aisa tha.” Sanah, however, explained that her mother’s hesitation came from a place of concern rather than doubt. She continued, “Mujhe lagta hai unhe lagta tha ki is industry mein bahut pressure hai.

Yeh bahut mushkil industry hai. Aur main bahut protected bachchi thi, toh she didn’t want ki main ismein enter karun. Unhe lagta tha ki main yeh sab kaise handle kar paungi.

Handle karna nahi, par is profession ka joh frustration level hota hai na, aap apne bachche ko thodi chahoge ki usse takleef ho ya dukh mile.” (I think she felt that this industry comes with a lot of pressure. It’s a very tough space to survive in. I was also a very protected child, so she didn’t want me to enter it.

It wasn’t just about handling things, but about the frustration that comes with this profession. As a parent, you wouldn’t want your child to experience pain or disappointment.)Sanah added that her mother even encouraged her to explore other career options. “Is point of view se woh nahi chahti thi ki main is industry mein aaoon. Toh unhone bahut koshish ki ki main kuch aur karun, kuch aur try karun. Yeh karo, woh karo.”

(From that perspective, she didn’t want me to join the industry. She tried many times to convince me to pursue something else or try different career options). Supriya Pathak suggested alternative careers.During the conversation, Supriya Pathak also recalled how she attempted to introduce Sanah to other professional choices beyond acting. She said, “Maine actually isko bhi bataya tha ki dekho beta, yeh teacher hai, teaching bhi ek kaam hota hai.”

(I even explained to her that teaching is also a profession and something she could consider.)

Sanah Kapur says acting is her true love

Despite her mother’s reservations, Sanah remained certain about her passion for acting. She explained that the intensity of her love for the craft made it impossible for her to give up on it. She said, “Lekin tab tak main itni badi ho chuki thi ki mujhe lagta tha. Par I think isi liye main kehti hoon ki acting mera true love hai.

Main usse chhod nahi sakti. I’m sorry.” (By then, I had grown old enough to be sure of what I wanted.

That’s why I always say acting is my true love. I simply cannot leave it.)Sanah also acknowledged that with time she began to understand her mother’s concerns. She continued, “Joh bhi hai, jaise bhi hai, jitna bhi mushkil hai — ab main samajhti hoon ki Mom kya keh rahi thi. Lekin phir bhi main bahut happy hoon, kyunki mujhe lagta hai ki aap is industry mein tabhi reh sakte ho jab aap super, super, super passionate ho.

Kyunki yeh industry aapko todne wali hai.” (No matter how difficult it is, I now understand what my mother meant.

But I’m still happy because I believe you can only survive in this industry if you are extremely passionate. This industry will test you and break you in many ways.)She added that true dedication to acting is essential to sustain a long career. “Aap tabhi ismein continue kar sakte ho jab aapko pata ho ki aapko sirf aur sirf yahi karna hai.

Matlab ya toh aap yeh karoge ya phir… mar jaoge type wala feeling. I know yeh bahut dramatic lagta hai, lekin mera matlab hai ki aapko apne profession se itna pyaar hona chahiye.” (You can only continue in this field if you know this is the only thing you want to do.

It’s like either you do this or nothing else. I know that sounds dramatic, but that’s the level of love you need for your profession.)Sanah also addressed the assumption that she benefited from industry connections because her parents are established actors.

She said, “Maine toh saara kaam auditions ke through hi kiya hai. Maine har cheez ke liye audition diya hai. Mujhe kabhi bina audition ke koi kaam nahi mila.” (I have received all my work through auditions. I’ve auditioned for every project. I have never been offered a role without auditioning.

)She also explained why she doesn’t feel she belongs to the typical “star kid” category. “Honestly, mujhe nahi lagta ki main technically star kid category mein aati hoon.

Kyunki mere parents amazing actors hain, lekin joh ‘stars’ wala ek alag world hota hai, main us world ka kabhi hissa nahi rahi.” (Honestly, I don’t think I fall into the typical star kid category. My parents are incredible actors, but there’s a separate world of ‘stars’, and I was never really part of that.

)

Facing rejections and uncertainty

Talking about the realities of auditions, Sanah admitted that rejection is a common part of the process. She said, “I’m sure aise bahut projects honge jinke liye maine audition diya hoga aur main unke liye suit nahi ki.

Kyunki maine bahut auditions diye hain aur utna zyada kaam bhi nahi kiya hai.” (I’m sure there are many projects for which I auditioned but wasn’t considered suitable. I’ve given a lot of auditions, but that doesn’t always translate into getting the role).She further revealed that sometimes actors don’t even know exactly what role they are auditioning for. “Aaj kal toh aisa bhi hota hai ki pehle aap audition karte ho, phir woh batate hain ki aap actually kis cheez ke liye audition kar rahe the. Pehele woh bas ek script ya ek-do scenes de dete hain ki aap yeh perform karke bhej do.” (These days it even happens that you audition first and only later find out which role it was actually for.

Initially they just send a script or a couple of scenes and ask you to perform and send it back).