An old video of the late actress Sridevi teasing her daughter Janhvi Kapoor about her Hindi-speaking skills has resurfaced and gone viral, reminding fans of the close bond the mother-daughter duo shared. The clip captures a light-hearted moment where Sridevi playfully imitates Janhvi's accented Hindi, drawing laughter from everyone present.
In the video, a young Janhvi Kapoor is asked a question by reporters at an event and requested to respond in Hindi. Janhvi, then a school student, replies in a somewhat hesitant and accented tone, "Mujhe pata nahin hai, main abhi school mein padhai kar rahi hoon". Sridevi playfully interjects, saying, "Please don't let her talk in Hindi". The actress then mimics her daughter's accent, causing Janhvi and the reporters to burst out laughing.
The video provides a glimpse into the affectionate relationship between Sridevi and Janhvi. Sridevi's playful teasing highlights a mother's love and her ability to find humor in everyday situations. It also reveals Janhvi's willingness to laugh at herself and take her mother's ribbing in good spirit.
The resurfacing of this video comes after Sridevi's untimely death in 2018, adding a layer of poignancy to the clip. Sridevi passed away just months before Janhvi's Bollywood debut in Dhadak. Janhvi has often spoken about her close relationship with her mother, describing her as her best friend and confidante.
In the years since the video was taken, Janhvi has improved her Hindi-speaking skills and has acted in Hindi films such as Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, Roohi, and Good Luck Jerry. In an interview, Janhvi addressed the viral video, stating that she "played that up". She admitted that her Hindi wasn't great at the time and that she exaggerated her struggles with the language.
Despite the initial challenges with Hindi, Janhvi is said to be fluent in English and Hindi. She can also understand Tamil, a language her mother spoke fluently.
Janhvi's former Hindi teacher, Seema Kapoor, defended the actress against criticism regarding her language skills. Kapoor called the trolls "childish and immature" for targeting Janhvi, emphasizing that language is simply a form of expression. She also revealed that Sridevi and Boney Kapoor were very supportive and involved in Janhvi's language training. Seema Kapoor also shared that she didn't charge any fees for teaching Janhvi, as she considered her "ghar ke bachche" (like family).
The video serves as a reminder of Sridevi's legacy and the impact she had on her daughters' lives. It also highlights Janhvi's growth as an actress and her determination to overcome challenges.