The camera and the Kapoors share a karmic conspiracy. You can’t keep a Kapoor away from razzmatazz. That explains why Rishi and Neetu Kapoor’s gorgeous daughter, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, at 44, agreed to feature in Karan Johar’s glamour-driven reality show Fabulous Lives Vs Bollywood Wives. The show is a fun face-off between the original queens of Mumbai—Maheep Kapoor, Neelam Kothari Soni, Seema Sajdeh, and Bhavana Pandey—and Delhi divas/entrepreneurs Shalini Passi, Kalyani Saha Chawla and Riddhima… adding the tadka and TRPs. Glamour may be Riddhima’s heirloom but so is her sense of rootedness. If her style score is stunning, so is her emotional gravitas, which helps her sieve the significant from the shallow. A devoted daughter, wife and mother… She’s the satellite around her family. That’s why she regrets missing the last call her father, made to her. That’s why she believes that love has to be expressed today and not deferred to tomorrow. That beneath the varnish lies vulnerability. And life is all about recognising and respecting it…
Your taking to the camera in Fabulous Lives Vs Bollywood Wives comes as a surprise!
We were attending a common friend’s wedding overseas where Karan (Johar) mentioned he had something exciting in mind for me. Back in Mumbai, he called to inform me that the third season of Fabulous Lives Of Bollywood Wives was being planned and he wanted to bring it to Delhi. Karan believed the show would be incomplete without me. I was shell-shocked. I called up my mum, who found the idea exciting. So I thought, let me give it a shot.
Coming from a family of actors, did you ever wish to be one?
(Smiles) I was a keetabi keeda (bookworm). There were no film aspirations as such. I went to London to study fashion marketing for four years. Then I launched my own fashion and jewellery brand. People have the wrong impression that my dad wouldn’t have allowed me to act. In fact, when I was abroad, I was told that there were a couple of film offers for me. On my return, I got married to Bharat (Sahni) in 2006. Then I had my daughter, Samara. I was constantly hovering over her. Today she’s a teenager, but a child always needs a mother. I juggle between Mumbai and Delhi.
Being a first-timer, were you intimidated by the camera?
No. The challenge here was that you had to think and talk as it’s an unscripted show. That was hard but fun. I’ve known Neelam, Maheep, Seema and Bhavna for a long time. They even attended my wedding. Maheep and Sanjay (Kapoor) were my Chacha’s (Rajiv Kapoor) friends. They often visited RK Cottage in Chembur. So, it was a comfortable atmosphere.
What’s the difference between the social scene in Delhi and Mumbai—something the show dwells upon?
I lived for 26 years in Mumbai. After marriage,
I moved to Delhi. It’s been 18 years since then. But I’m more of a Mumbaikar. In Delhi, things are larger than life. They like celebrating with opulence. The parties are big, the weddings huge. Dilli hai dilwalon ki… they do everything dil se. Mumbai is cool. They’re comfortable with everything. Delhi believes in showmanship.
How would you describe your sense of style since the show is glam-centric?
(Smiles) I like to dress up but never over the top. In the show, you may find me a li’l more dramatic. We had to show the difference between the scene in Mumbai and Delhi. I remember, soon after my marriage, I was to visit the GK market in Delhi. My mother-in-law sweetly suggested I dress up and go. I realised in Delhi you’ve got to dress to the nines even if you go shopping. Personally, I’m chilled out and casual in my choices. I’m largely a jeans and t-shirt person. I like to wear what’s comfortable and suits my body type and not dress to show off. You can’t fake your personality. In fact, I was never fond of jewellery. My mother insisted I wear some heavy stuff at least on my wedding day. Later, mum and I endorsed a jewellery brand. Seeing the beautiful pieces, my interest in it developed. That’s how I launched my brand.
What was the acting tip given by your mother?
I’ve lived in London for seven years. Thoda sa accent toh aa hi jaata hai even though I’m desi and rooted. Mum asked me to keep the twang out. So I was conscious about that.
How did your cousins, Karisma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan, react to you doing the show?
They’re so happy. Kareena posted on social media that she cannot wait to watch it. My cousins have always been supportive. Kareena and I were born a week apart from each other. I’m seven days older than her. Mum was leaving the hospital when her mother (Babita Kapoor) came in. My brother Ranbir (Kapoor) and Alia (Bhatt) are curious about the show. They’re waiting for it with bated breath.
How much is it a privilege to have star parents?
The privilege comes in but once. After that, you have to take it forward. Privilege is one thing, sustaining it another. Star kids tend to be compared to their parents. They have to prove themselves. Achieving stardom is all about hard work, hard work and more hard work.
What lies beneath the advantaged lifestyle you lead?
I don’t wake up and say, ‘Well, I woke up like this.’ Life’s not a bed of roses. Every day is not a good day. Shit happens everywhere. Just to assume that so and so is enjoying a perfect life is not right. Who lives a perfect life? It’s unfair to judge anyone superficially. On social media, everything looks perfect and pretty. Reality is not so. Everyone has their fair share of insecurities, their challenges. Just because they don’t speak about it doesn’t mean they’re not going through it.
What would be one of the challenges you face?
Currently, it would be tackling my teenage daughter. Samara’s at a vulnerable age. She’s just 13. She gets overwhelmed by social media and the world around. To sit her down is a task. At times, Samara doesn’t listen to me. So, Bharat steps in and explains things to her in his own way. He’s an amazing father.
What’s kept your marriage strong?
It’s the comfort level, yaar. He’s so supportive. He’s so good with our family. He’s an easygoing person. Recently, someone asked us when the last time we fought. We looked at each other, wondering when we actually did. We do fight but it’s not like we kiss and make up or bring each other flowers. We simply start talking. We communicate about everything and don’t sleep over what’s bothering him or me. We get done with it. I’m lucky to have a great husband and a supportive mother and mother-in-law. I don’t take them for granted. In fact, I still regret missing my father’s last Facetime call.
What actually happened then?
Dad called me just before he turned critical. Unfortunately, I was in the shower then. I came out and called him back. But by then, he had been taken to the hospital. I’ve saved the screenshot of that missed call. It was my bad luck that I couldn’t speak to him. Those were the last few moments he could talk. After that, he couldn’t register anything as he was under medication. I’d thought I’d be able to meet Dad after a few days. But I never saw him due to the pandemic. You don’t know what life has in store for you. So never take your loved ones for granted. Don’t waste that moment. If you have to tell them that you love them, please do so instantly. Don’t leave anything for tomorrow.
In retrospect, how much are you like your father?
(Laughs) I am a mini version of Dad. He was a Virgo like me. Though I do have a filter, I cannot take nonsense. If I find something or a situation is not right, I’ll stand up against it. I don’t like to pick up fights. But if someone is being unfair to someone, I’ll try to resolve it.
Are genuine friendships possible in showbiz?
Growing up, I witnessed my father enjoy some great friendships. He was close to Jeetu (Jeetendra) uncle, Rakesh Roshan uncle... We spent many occasions with them, including New Year’s, holidays… They stood by Dad throughout. Also, Rekhaji has been extremely fond of Mum and retains that affection. She never forgets my mother’s birthday and makes it a point to wish her. So it all depends on personal equations.
Now that you’re more in the public eye, are you game to deal with trolls?
Trolls are everywhere. Why give them importance? It’s just a power game. I can’t stop Samara from being on social media. I can limit it, though. And educate her about the pros and cons like not giving out personal details. She loves what Priyanka Chopra told her 20 million followers, “Haters gonna hate... tomatoes gonna tomate and rotis gonna rotate… But we will always be together.”
Any plans to get into full-fledged acting?
Arrey baap re! At 44? Let’s see how this goes.
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