Raj Kapoor’s grandson Aadar Jain to be launched in Aditya Chopra production

The next generation of the Kapoors have another actor joining their ranks. After Karisma, Kareena, Ranbir and Armaan (who debuted in Lekar Hum Deewana Dil), it’s now Aadar Jain’s turn. The newcomer is a cousin to the Kapoors, Armaan’s brother and Raj Kapoor’s grandson.

The boy is being launched by Aditya Chopra, no less! An alumnus of the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, Aadar was also first AD on the sets of Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.

Adi might launch Aadar on the same scale as Ishaqzaade, in a romantic drama helmed by Habib Faisal. Another fresh face will be cast opposite him in the film. Casting director Shanoo Sharma who picked Arjun Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra for Ishaqzaade, discovered Adaar, too.

Early impressions

She tells us she met Aadar a couple of years ago and came away impressed. “He was on my radar even then. Rima is a family friend and these kids have grown up before my eyes. I would keep running into Armaan and Aadar at Dharma Productions, while casting for Karan’s (Johar) movie. I told Aadar that I wanted to capture him on video just talking. He came across as very charming and incredibly cute. There’s a whole different side to him — flirtatious and mischievous — Aadar has Shashi Kapoor’s energy about him. I showed the video to Adi who liked him, too, and said we could cast him whenever something suitable was happening,” says Shanoo.

‘It just happened’

Habib’s film happened by chance. Says Shanoo, “All these months, we were auditioning for Habib Sir’s film and Aadar was busy assisting on ADHM. After that, he was thinking about what to do next when I asked him to audition for the film. I love casting for Mr Habib as he makes it your most difficult job. I get to learn so much from him. We had tested a lot of newcomers for this part and then I brought it up again with Adi. Aadar was not fully trained, but Habib Sir liked him and he got the film. It all happened so fast. Even Aadar didn’t expect it.”

‘He has it’

Shanoo says, “I always tell actors to do their best, keep oneself hungry and to not think they have arrived because the actual struggle starts now. In the film industry, people from the biggest film families are rejected whereas a boy from nowhere can become a big star. Aadar did not get Habib’s film because he is Raj Kapoor’s grandson, but because this boy has it in him. He is incredibly watchable, arresting and has that charisma. In the end, no matter what, if Habib Sir didn’t believe in the boy, nothing would have made him sign him. It has to be the perfect casting.”