Shanaya Kapoor is in the middle of a creative awakening. Since starring in Bejoy Nambiar’s thriller Tu Yaa Main (2026), she has been deliberately seeking out stories that push her limits — narratives that demand more than presence, but genuine emotional reckoning. It’s a pursuit that might surprise those who assume growing up in Bollywood’s inner circle breeds complacency. For Kapoor, it’s done the opposite. Cinema, she says, still fills her with wonder. Here, she shares the five films she returns to again and again.
Gully Boy (2019)
WHY SHE LIKES IT: “This film really inspired me as an actor,” she shares. Raw, urgent and deeply motivational, Gully Boy struck a chord with her, not just for its underdog story but for its performances. Kapoor points especially to Alia Bhatt’s screen presence. “She taught me how you can leave a mark even with limited screen time,” she says, admiring the fire and vulnerability that Bhatt brought to her role.
Directed by Zoya Akhtar, Gully Boy traces the rise of a street rapper navigating class, ambition and self-doubt. Anchored by raw performances and its distinct soundtrack, the film became a cultural milestone in India, bringing the underground movement to the surface.
Luck By Chance (2009)
WHY SHE LIKES IT: Few films capture the chaos and craft of the movie business quite like Luck By Chance, says Kapoor. “For an actor, it’s crazy to watch,” she says. “You see the entire journey — everything that happens behind the camera.” The film’s unfiltered look at ambition, rejection and reinvention makes it relatable for her.
Luck By Chance was Zoya Akhtar’s directorial debut and delivered an incisive yet sensitive satire on the world of Hindi cinema, addressing many of the criticisms that the industry faces even today. By following an aspiring actor’s climb through auditions and chance encounters, it reveals the machinery behind stardom.
Devdas (2002)
WHY SHE LIKES IT: “An all-time favourite,” Kapoor says, “A timeless classic.” For her, Devdas represents Hindi cinema at its most opulent. The richness, the scale, the visual poetry — hallmarks of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s storytelling — leave her spellbound after every watch. “It would be a dream to work with him,” she says, crossing her fingers.
Adapted from Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s novel, the tragic period romance is known for its lavish sets, intense emotions and visual scale. Having won several accolades, it remains one of the most celebrated films in the Bollywood pantheon.
The Black Swan (2010)
WHY SHE LIKES IT: “If I ever get to choose a film to be part of,” Kapoor says, “I hope — fingers crossed — it would be a remake of Black Swan.” She is drawn to the psychological depth, the duality, the unravelling in the film. “It’s the kind of role that demands total surrender,” she says. The central performance left her blown away. “[Natalie Portman’s] transformation was incredible,” she adds.
Directed by Darren Aronofsky, The Black Swan is a psychological thriller set in the cutthroat world of the New York City ballet company. The story charts a performer’s unravelling as her ambition turns into obsession. Portman earned both an Academy Award as well as a BAFTA Award for Best Actress for her role in the film.
Whiplash (2014)
WHY SHE LIKES IT: For Kapoor, Whiplash is about pure, unbridled passion. “It’s about the conviction you have towards your craft,” she says. “Cutting out the noise, what people say — and focusing on your self-belief.” The film’s explosive finale still gives her goosebumps.
Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash explores obsession through the relationship between a jazz student and his demanding instructor.