Shanaya Kapoor celebrates her birthday this year with special significance, marking her first year as an actor following the release of Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan in July. The 26-year-old actor reflects on a journey filled with challenges, including signed projects that did not materialize and a shelved film. Despite these setbacks, she has learned valuable lessons about the unpredictability of the film industry. Shanaya credits her father, actor Sanjay Kapoor, for inspiring her resilience and positive outlook during difficult times. She acknowledges that pre-conceived notions existed about her before her debut, based on public appearances rather than her true personality. This birthday holds emotional weight as she plans a quiet celebration with close friends and family, recognizing the support her parents provided throughout her struggles. Shanaya emphasizes gratitude for every opportunity, having experienced how quickly projects can disappear from one's hands.

Learning from setbacks and finding strength in family values
Shanaya's path to her debut was marked by multiple disappointments. She started her journey at 20 years old, signing films that subsequently fell through. One project was lost the very next day after signing, and another was shelved after shooting. These experiences taught her never to take opportunities for granted in the unpredictable film industry. She credits her father, Sanjay Kapoor, for teaching her resilience through his own career journey. Watching him maintain positivity and dignity during his second innings in cinema shaped her approach to handling rejection. Shanaya notes that no romantic heartbreak compared to losing film projects, emphasizing how deeply these professional setbacks affected her while ultimately making her more grounded and mature.
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