With Tu Yaa Main set to release soon, Shanaya Kapoor is stepping into a role that challenged her in a very different way. The film sees the actor move beyond her comfort zone, and Shanaya has hinted at a power-packed performance shaped by focused preparation and a deeper exploration of her craft. Speaking about this process in an interview with Bollywood Hungama, Shanaya opened up about an acting exercise that played a key role in building her character.
Actor Shanaya Kapoor revealed that during Atul Mongia’s acting workshop, she was introduced to the concept of animal study — a method she had never explored before. “Atul sir introduced us to animal study, which I had never done before,” Shanaya shared, adding that the session helped her approach her character from a fresh perspective.
As part of the exercise, actors were asked to choose an animal that reflected their character’s personality and physicality. For Shanaya, the choice came instinctively. “I chose a Black Panther because of its gaze, strength, and the sensual, charming confidence it carries,” she explained. “Even the way it moves felt very aligned with my character.”
To internalise these qualities, Shanaya spent time closely observing the animal, studying its movements and energy through videos. The process became even more immersive when the actors were asked to perform as their chosen animals during the workshop. “We actually interacted as the animals,” she recalled. “I was a Black Panther, and Adarsh’s character was a Peacock.”
Shanaya admitted that she was initially unsure whether the exercise would help her understand her character. However, its impact stayed with her long after the workshop ended. “Throughout the entire shoot, my phone wallpaper was a Black Panther — just the eyes,” she revealed. “That genuinely helped me a lot.”
Shanaya’s insights offer a glimpse into the depth of preparation she brings to her work, highlighting how unconventional techniques like animal study can help actors tap into confidence, movement, and emotional presence on screen. Tu Yaa Main, directed by Bejoy Nambiar and also starring Adarsh Gourav, is set to release on 13th February 2026.