She’s only a film old, but actor Khushi Kapoor is already Bollywood’s Gen Z style icon. Whether it’s her fashion sensibility or candid demeanour, she’s the talk of the town for the right reasons.
But the adulation doesn’t come easy. As the daughter of late superstar Sridevi and filmmaker Boney Kapoor, she’s always under the scanner. No wonder, when she made her debut with Zoya Akhtar’s The Archies (2023) alongside other star kids, there was immense pressure to deliver.
Kapoor remembers her first day on set when she was nervous yet equally excited to play the role of Betty Cooper. “It was fun to see what was happening behind the scenes and understand how everything works. I remember my first shot was to pull out my bike from a stand, and I had to watch Archie play the guitar in his garage with his band,” she tells ELLE India.
“I was so nervous even though I had no lines that day. It was quite intimidating to be on set. But the entire cast came to support me. They were all cheering behind the monitor and we hugged right after,” she says.
While this was her first outing on celluloid, Kapoor got a taste of fame early on. “I remember being out with mom often. After people took pictures with her, they asked her for permission to get themselves clicked with Janhvi and me. I was too young to understand what was going on,” she remembers. However, what’s been special is the outpouring of love she has received for her work in The Archies.
“I don’t think it’s something you can ever get used to. Having people say to your face that they like you and appreciate something you’ve done. Promotions were eye-opening for me. Just meeting so many people and talking to them one-on-one was super special,” she reiterates.
It’s not just Kapoor’s acting but also her fashion game that often makes waves on social media. For instance, the shimmering strapless gilded gown that she sported at the movie premiere of The Archies was a defining moment, much appreciated by fans and critics alike. Incidentally, it was a Kaufman Franco outfit that her mother, Sridevi, wore at the IIFA awards in 2013.
“It wasn’t a planned decision to wear my mom’s gown. I was looking at different options, but since the day was so special, I wanted to have a part of her with me. It’s such a simple and timeless piece. The necklace I chose to wear with the outfit was also my mom’s,” she reveals.
This also shines the spotlight on her inclination towards sustainable fashion choices. Unlike many, Kapoor doesn’t shy away from repeating outfits, albeit with a twist.
“I think you can wear the same dress a hundred times and make it look different with accessories. You can pair it with shoes, stilettos, and boots and add a belt or maybe a hat. It also depends on what mood I’m in and where I’m going,” she shares.
“Trends keep changing, and there’s so much to get inspired. When I am in a girly mood, I put on a bow. On other days, when I want something retro-inspired, I go for a leather jacket and boots,” adds Kapoor.
She also has a soft spot for ‘90s fashion. From her vintage checkered Dior dress paired with a pearl choker to channelling retro workout glam in a red sports bra, high-waisted shorts, and a red hairband, she has rocked it all.
“I visited a few thrift stores and vintage shops in the US when I lived there briefly. Somehow, that has inspired my fashion choices. With vintage pieces, most of them are one-of-a-kind and you won’t find two of the same in a store. So, it’s always a better choice,” Kapoor says.
Is there a luxury purchase that she’s particularly chuffed about? Kapoor answers without getting into specifics, “I am currently into big, chunky bags since they look effortless. I believe in less is more. A simple black bag can elevate a look in so many ways.”
For Kapoor, sustainability is about walking the talk through little habits that make a huge difference. “I carry my water bottle with me every single day. There are also so many old clothes that I recycle and reuse in different ways,” she concludes.
ELLE India Editor: Ainee Nizami Ahmedi; Photographer: Tenzin Lhagyal; Fashion Editor: Zoha Castelino; Words: Geetika Sachdev; Makeup: Tanvi Chemburkar; Hair: Yianni Tsapatori; Bookings Coordinator: Anushka Patil; Assisted by: Komal Shetty, Sanaaya Gajaria (styling), Shreeya Salvi (makeup); Artist’s PR Agency: Communiqué Film PR; Location Courtesy: Strategis Mumbai
Read the full story on ELLE India’s new issue, or download your digital copy via Magzter.
