Kapoor family’s fourth generation star Zahan Kapoor on earliest influences: 'Hrithik Roshan, not Shah Rukh Khan was my reference'

Zahan Kapoor has been steadily building a separate identity in the film industry through his choice of projects. As a fourth-generation member of the Kapoor family, the actor has moved towards content-driven roles rather than taking a conventional route. With projects like 'Faraaz' and 'Black Warrant', Zahan has chosen stories that are very different in style and treatment. Recently, the actor spoke to Variety in detail about his creative process and early memories connected to cinema.Zahan explained that he does not follow one specific formula for every role. According to him, each character and project demands a different process. Speaking about his method to Variety India, he said, “I don’t think there’s a single appropriate process. I think you can attack it from every side, depending on which role and depending on the nature of the project." He also explained that the process changes depending on the material available and the demands of the role. The actor believes that every performance develops differently and there is no fixed route to reaching a character.Speaking about 'Black Warrant', Zahan said research played a major role in shaping his performance. Since the project had source material available, he was able to explore different aspects surrounding the story. He said, “With something like "Black Warrant," the advantages are that there’s source material. The first thing I went to, was the book; I read it. The second thing I went to, was all kinds of interviews - video format, even print interviews and articles - around, first of all, Mr. Sunil Gupta, but also other stories around Tihar jail or the prison system." He further explained that after research, he focused on additional elements like body language, speech patterns and physical movements. According to the actor, even costumes and styling can affect the way a performer approaches a character.Apart from discussing acting techniques, Zahan also reflected on his earliest memories related to films. Recalling his first theatre experience, he said, “My earliest memory, actually, is of watching "Tom And Jerry." I think the "Tom And Jerry" movie was the first movie I saw in the theater." He also shared a memory often narrated by his father. Zahan said, “My father tells this story famously about how he took me there, and midway through the movie, he turns around to look at me and sees me leaning forward with tears flowing down my face." The actor revealed that the reaction came from being completely immersed in the experience.The actor also spoke about the films that shaped his early years and left a strong impression on him. Among them were 'Lagaan' and 'Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai'. Speaking about that phase, Zahan said, “I am not the "DDLJ" generation; I’m after it. Shah Rukh wasn’t my first point of reference. For me, it was Hrithik (Roshan)." He further added, “The movie you experience as a child gives you that impression where you say, “Nobody makes them like that.” That freshness and first impression that came with "Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai" was incredible.”Zahan made his feature film debut in 'Faraaz' in 2022 under the direction of Hansal Mehta. The action thriller was based on the 2016 Dhaka café attack, and the actor portrayed Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain in the film.