On Sridevi’s Birthday: The Untold Story Behind Janhvi and Khushi Kapoor’s Names
Mumbai, Aug 13 — On what would have been Sridevi’s birthday, fans are remembering not only her unparalleled legacy in Indian cinema but also the charming Bollywood-inspired backstory behind the names of her daughters, Janhvi and Khushi Kapoor. Both names are tied to films and characters that held a special place in the late actress’s life — a testament to how closely the Kapoor family’s personal and professional worlds intertwined.
A Legacy That Lives On
Khushi Kapoor, who was last seen in Nadaaniyan, has often spoken about her mother’s unmatched dedication to acting. “My mom gave her all to acting, starting when she was barely four. My sister and I are very proud of her, and she will always play a huge part in our lives,” she told Hindustan Times.
Recalling her debut on the big screen, Khushi admitted the moment was bittersweet: “When I saw myself on the big screen for the first time, I missed her a lot.”
She has also been candid about comparisons to Sridevi. “I can’t be like my mom even in the next 100 years. She was made of a different mold; they don’t make artists like her anymore,” she said.
Janhvi’s Promise to Carry the Torch
Janhvi Kapoor, who will soon be seen in Param Sundari, spoke to Film Companion in 2024 about her responsibility to uphold her mother’s cinematic legacy.
“I cannot abandon my mom’s legacy. I need to take it forward; I will die trying. It means the most to me… out of respect, I must overcompensate in order to justify this opportunity.”
How Janhvi Got Her Name
Popular belief links Janhvi’s name to Urmila Matondkar’s character in the 1997 hit Judaai, produced by Boney Kapoor and starring both Sridevi and Matondkar. Sridevi reportedly loved Matondkar’s portrayal of Janhvi — a confident, assertive young woman — and the name stuck.
However, Janhvi herself has clarified the story:
“No, I was not named after Urmila's character in Judaai. I think dad just really liked the name from before the film and mom did too. Mom was obsessed with the meaning — purity — and she would keep telling me I had a pure soul. It really resonated with her.”
Khushi’s Name and the Film Connection
Khushi Kapoor’s name has a cinematic twist as well. In 2000, around the time of her birth, Boney Kapoor was producing the film Khushi, starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Fardeen Khan. Kareena’s character was bubbly, spirited, and full of life — traits that inspired the choice of name. The film was released three years later, but the name had already been sealed in family history.
Why This Story Matters to Fans
For admirers of Sridevi, these stories serve as a reminder of her deep connection to the art form she devoted her life to. Even her daughters’ names are rooted in film culture, symbolising the Kapoor family’s enduring bond with cinema.
As Janhvi and Khushi continue to chart their own paths in the industry, they carry with them not just the Kapoor surname, but also names that hold a piece of Bollywood history.