Janhvi Kapoor Recalls Public Scrutiny After Sridevi’s Death: ‘They Said I Wasn’t Sad Enough’

Janhvi Kapoor has often spoken about the profound impact of losing her mother, Sridevi, whose sudden passing in February 2018 left a void that reshaped her life in ways she was not prepared for. In a recent conversation, the actor revisited that phase, reflecting on grief, public scrutiny and the process of finding her own footing.

‘I Didn’t Know How To Function On My Own’

Speaking about the immediate aftermath of her mother’s death, Janhvi admitted that the loss felt overwhelming, not just emotionally but practically.

“I was completely dependent. I never used to make decisions. I relied on her for everything… what should I wear, what should I do, what is right, what is wrong,” she shared.

Having always leaned on Sridevi for guidance, even in the

smallest aspects of daily life, Janhvi found herself suddenly navigating the world alone. The transition forced her to grow up quickly and develop independence she hadn’t needed before.

Grief Under The Public Lens

Janhvi also opened up about how public perception made an already difficult time even harder.

“In such a time, when the world is trying to divide you into pieces… people would say, ‘She is smiling too much,’ or ‘She is not sad enough,’” she said.

She explained that every reaction, whether she smiled or stayed quiet, was dissected, leaving little room for private grief. The constant judgment pushed her to form her own sense of self, rather than being shaped by external opinions.

Remembering Sridevi

For Janhvi, Sridevi remains an irreplaceable presence and a lifelong source of inspiration.

She described her mother as the emotional anchor of the family, someone whose positivity held everything together. “In our best days, we were a very happy, strong, positive family, and the big reason for that was her,” she said.

Janhvi also noted how deeply the loss affected her father, Boney Kapoor, and the family dynamic as a whole.

When Grief Became Public Conversation

In an earlier interview, Janhvi had revealed that she never got the chance to mourn privately. Media attention followed her through public appearances and promotions, turning even her pain into a subject of discussion.

She admitted that the scrutiny sometimes felt harsher than the grief itself, making her question how people perceive and respond to loss.

Looking Ahead

On the work front, Janhvi was last seen in Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari and is currently gearing up for her next film, Peddi, alongside Ram Charan.

While her career continues to evolve, her reflections on Sridevi reveal a deeply personal journey, one shaped by loss, resilience and the gradual process of rediscovering herself.