Kanikka Kapur is preparing for what she describes as one of the biggest moments of her career. The actress will make her big-screen debut in Rajkumar Santoshi’s Batwara 1947, sharing space with Sunny Deol, Preity Zinta and Shabana Azmi. Ahead of the film’s release, Kanikka has opened up about landing the project, the Kiara Advani comparisons that have followed her poster reveal and why the Partition story has become particularly special for her family.
“I am feeling really excited and a little nervous about what the response will be,” Kanikka told NDTV, adding that the reception to the trailer has already left her grateful.
How Kanikka Kapur Bagged Batwara 1947
Kanikka’s road to Batwara 1947 began with Dono, which marked Rajveer Deol’s acting
debut. Rajkumar Santoshi happened to watch the film and noticed her performance.
“He noticed me and apparently asked, ‘Who is this girl? Call her for an audition,’” Kanikka recalled.
What followed wasn’t an instant offer. She went through three audition rounds before finally securing the part.
By the final screen test, Kanikka had learnt enough about the project to understand what was at stake. “I already knew how big this film was. That actually put a lot of pressure on me because I felt I had to crack it and nail it. This was my opportunity,” she said.
Kanikka Is ‘Tired’ Of Kiara Advani Comparisons
Since Kanikka’s Batwara 1947 poster surfaced, social media users have repeatedly compared her appearance to Kiara Advani. Initially, Kanikka would actively correct people making the comparison.
That has changed.
“I don’t know if I look like her or not. So many people have different opinions. My family doesn’t think I do, of course,” she said.
After answering the same question repeatedly, Kanikka now has a suggestion: ask Kiara instead. “I’m honestly tired of answering this question. I think people should ask Kiara Advani whether she thinks I look like her or not,” she joked.
Asked how she might greet Kiara if they met, Kanikka had an equally playful answer. “I’d probably start with, ‘Hey, sister! Nice to meet you.’”
She added, “They say there are seven people in the world who resemble each other, so maybe we’re two of them.”
Kanikka isn’t particularly bothered by the online chatter because she feels the comparisons haven’t been malicious. “The comparisons are healthy, so I’m okay with them,” she said.
In fact, when her first poster was unveiled, she was far too excited about seeing herself on it to notice anything else. “I was just like, ‘Oh, there’s a poster! Share it everywhere!’ Being on the poster itself was such a huge deal for me.”
Who Does Kanikka Play In Batwara 1947?
Kanikka plays Nishat, a woman she describes as unwilling to compromise on what she believes is right.
“Even if someone she loves dearly is doing something wrong, she will raise her voice. Even if speaking up puts her own safety at risk, she will still do it,” Kanikka said.
Working under Santoshi also proved significant for the young actress. “Every day on set, I found myself pinching myself to check if it was actually happening,” she recalled.
Her Grandparents Witnessed Partition First-Hand
Beyond the professional opportunity, Batwara 1947 carries a personal connection for Kanikka. Her grandparents lived through the Partition and migrated to India from the region of Punjab that now falls in Pakistan.
“My grandparents witnessed Partition first-hand. They came to India from the part of Punjab that is now in Pakistan,” she revealed.
Growing up around them also meant the Punjabi dialect required for the film was familiar to her. The cast nevertheless spent considerable time preparing their speech — only for Santoshi to eventually decide that Hindi should dominate the dialogues so the film could reach a wider audience.
Kanikka remembered protesting jokingly: “But sir, we worked so hard on it!”
Kanikka’s Grandparents Are Promoting The Film On WhatsApp
Kanikka initially kept details about the project away from her family until filming was completed. Since then, her grandparents have spent nearly two years waiting to finally watch it.
“My grandmother and grandfather are actively promoting the film. They’re sending posters to all their friends on WhatsApp and asking people to watch the trailer,” she said.
For Kanikka, their enthusiasm has become one of the most rewarding parts of the experience.
“That’s what you work for. You move to Mumbai hoping to do work that makes your family proud, and I can finally see that happening. It’s a beautiful feeling,” she added.
What Makes Batwara 1947 Different?
Kanikka believes Santoshi’s film approaches Partition from a perspective audiences haven’t seen as frequently on screen.
She explained that the story follows the Mirza family moving from India to what became Pakistan, reversing the migration route commonly depicted in Partition dramas.
“Usually, we’ve seen stories of people coming from there to here, but this film explores the reverse journey. I think that could be the USP of the film,” she said.
Kanikka On Box Office Clash And Her Imtiaz Ali Dream
With Batwara 1947 facing competition from Awarapan 2, Kanikka isn’t losing sleep over the box-office clash.
“I feel that if the story is good, both films can work. It doesn’t have to be a case where one film suffers because of another,” she said.
More encouragingly, Kanikka revealed that the trailer has already begun opening doors. She has received new scripts since its release, though she isn’t ready to announce her upcoming projects.
There is, however, one filmmaker firmly on her wishlist: Imtiaz Ali.
“I’m a huge fan of Imtiaz Ali, sir. He writes his characters so beautifully. I’d love to be the heroine in one of his films,” Kanikka said, adding that the nature of the role wouldn’t matter.
As for whether she’s actively manifesting that collaboration, her answer was an emphatic, “Yes!”
