'Tu Yaa Main’: Shanaya on fear of heights

Shanaya Kapoor says a key moment in ‘Tu Yaa Main’ forced her to confront a long-standing struggle: a fear of heights. In a recent interview, the star kid shared that the survival drama demanded she stay calm even when anxiety kicked in, and she relied on training, her co-stars, and constant guidance from the director to finish the scene.

Shanaya Kapoor on fear of heights in ‘Tu Yaa Main’

Speaking to ANI, Kapoor described how the ledge sequence tested her nerves. “When we were shooting a ledge scene, I was walking straight. But in my mind, it felt like I was going that way because I just have a fear of heights. At that moment, Shanaya was tense, but Avani was very calm. I had to bring that same calmness in the scene, which was challenging,” she said.She added that mental focus became her biggest tool during filming.

“I think it was all about just being in the moment. Stay calm. Don’t overthink. And just give it your best shot. And learn whatever you’ve learnt in the workshop. Try and use it on set.”

Shanaya Kapoor on working with Bejoy Nambiar and Adarsh Gourav

Kapoor credited Bejoy Nambiar and Atul Mongia for helping her shape Avani. “I should just give credit to Bejoy Sir and to my acting coach, Atul sir. I think it was both of them that helped me bring the character to life.”Her exchanges with Adarsh Gourav also helped her stay present.

“When I was performing the scenes, I was performing with Adarsh, my co-actor. He was giving me so much energy, which made it easier for me to respond and stay in the moment,” she said.The actor has often spoken about leaning on advice from her father, Sanjay Kapoor, especially after her debut ‘Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan’ failed to click at the box office. “Dad always says, ‘put your head down and keep doing the work.’ Vo hamesha kehte hai sache dil se kaam karo, always know that the camera catches everything.

So, have an honest heart. Kyunki jab aap honest ho aur sache dil se kaam kar rahe ho to aapka acha hi hoga.

(They always say: work with a pure heart, and always know that the camera catches everything. So, have an honest heart. Because when you are honest and working with sincerity, only good things will come to you.) You will be able to present the character more effectively. So, he always tells me, just do good work and do it with a good heart.”

Produced by Aanand L Rai, ‘Tu Yaa Main’ released in theaters on February 13.Kapoor is an Indian actor from a prominent film family, born on November 3, 1999, in Mumbai to Sanjay Kapoor and Maheep Kapoor. She grew up around cinema and gained early experience behind the camera as an assistant director on ‘Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl’ in 2020, which gave her a close look at filmmaking. Kapoor entered the industry as a lead actor in 2025 with ‘Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan.’ She then switched gears for ‘Tu Yaa Main,’ a survival thriller.