Sonal Chauhan On Not Doing Bollywood after Jannat & Nepotism: I Almost Got Few Films But Later Someone Else Did It

Actress Sonal Chauhan has won over millions of hearts with her new song ‘Fursat Hai Aaj Bhi’ by Arjun Kanungo. The duo had impressed the audience with their scintillating chemistry in the 2016 song Fursat, and have yet again teamed up to take you on a romantic ride. The lyrics are penned by Mayur Puri and sung by Arjun Kanungo, the song released on June 25, 2020.

We got in touch with Sonal for an exclusive chat, where she opened up about her new song, nepotism and also revealed why she did not do any more Bollywood projects after Jannat. 

Sonal made her Bollywood debut with the 2008 film Jannat alongside Emraan Hashmi, which garnered her massive popularity and she was also nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. Despite the successful beginning, Sonal soon disappeared from the screens.

We asked her why she did not do any more Bollywood projects after Jannat, to which she said:

“When I did Jannat, I was very young and I come from a family that has absolutely no connection to the film industry. And acting happened to me by chance, but I got immense love and appreciation from the audience. Just because I did not have anyone to guide me, I did not realise what it meant to have such a massive hit with your first film and the amount of love my character ‘Zoya’ received. Even today when I go out, people call me ‘Zoya’ and ‘Jannat Girl’, so I don’t think I understood that and I went back to finish my studies. 

“But after I came back, I did get offers but they were not the kind of roles I wanted to do. And I am happy with my choices because the ones that came to me before, did not do well and even the ones that did well, did not resonate with me. And, I was very clear that I want to do films and stories that I can relate to.”

“Also, there were certain films that I almost got and then I don’t know what happened. Later, I got to know that someone else is doing it. Then I did some films in South, that was a great experience. But I wish, there was somebody to guide me and help me when Jannat happened.”

Sonal had also signed a 3 movie deal with the Bhatts, two of which are pending. Speaking of the same, she shared:

“Yeah, I did sign a three-movie deal but I don’t know what happened to that. I did the first film (Jannat), that was produced by Mukesh Bhatt and later we spoke about another project but that did not materialise. I speak to Mukesh Bhatt once in a while, but we never spoke about the movie deal again.”

Ask her about the ongoing debate around Bollywood culture and the nepotism row, Sonal talks about her own experience in the industry: 

“I’ve had good and bad times, my highs and lows. There were moments of frustration where I felt that I get so much love on social media so why are not the offers coming in. But like I said, there was nobody to guide me and there have been bad experiences.

“As far as nepotism is concerned, I do not have a problem with that. If one wants to put their money where they want to, it’s their call and I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. I just feel, more than nepotism, there is favouritism for sure, which is natural in the industry. But the problem is when there is someone talented, and that talented person’s work is given to someone who may not be that talented, so that is really discouraging.”

Watch the full interview here: