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Abhishek made me feel comfortable: Sonam Kapoor
Even though her debut film Sawariya flopped at the box office, there was no doubt that Sonam Kapoor's performance was that of an actress with great potential. With her second movie Delhi-6, directed by Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra and starring Abhishek Bachchan, releasing soon, Sonam is given another chance to prove her acting prowess.
We caught up with the young actress who talked about working with Bachchan Jr, her understanding of Bollywood, her superstar dad Anil as well as her rising popularity as one of the best-dressed women in the Indian film industry.
Even though her debut film Sawariya flopped at the box office, there was no doubt that Sonam Kapoor's performance was that of an actress with great potential. With her second movie Delhi-6, directed by Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra and starring Abhishek Bachchan, releasing soon, Sonam is given another chance to prove her acting prowess.
We caught up with the young actress who talked about working with Bachchan Jr, her understanding of Bollywood, her superstar dad Anil as well as her rising popularity as one of the best-dressed women in the Indian film industry.
You play Bittu in Delhi-6. How do you relate to her character?
Bittu is a modern girl and so am I so we have many similarities. Even so, Bittu belongs to Delhi and I am from Mumbai. There are a lot of differences between Mumbai and Delhi girls. It was fun to play Bittu's character and not just me but today's youth too can relate to her. Many of us go through the same problems that she goes through.
You worked with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and now with Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra. How different was your experience with these two directors?
I am lucky to have worked with these brilliant directors. I worked with Sanjay even earlier when I was an assistant director on Black and it was great to work with him again. I have learnt a lot from Rakeysh. He taught me the importance of a good script, how to perfect a character and give it an edge and how to deliver dialogues. He also gave me many tips on acting and body language.
You are just one film old whereas Abhishek is older than you and has done many films. What was it like working with him?
Don't ask! He used to play so many pranks on me but it all made me more comfortable. He didn't spare me for a single day but I think he did that so that I would be more at ease with him. And because we bonded it translated into our great chemistry onscreen.
Many people say that the music from Delhi-6 songs is much better than Slumdog Millionaire. What you think?
Yay! I think that the music for his next film will also be better than Dehli-6's. That's because A. R. Rahman's talent grows with each project. I am lucky to be in a film for which he has contributed to the soundtrack.
Before becoming an actress, you worked as an assistant director so you must understand the technical aspect of filmmaking better than other actors. How much of an advantage is this knowledge?
It's good because I know when a focal point is set. I know what angle to turn my face at when the camera is moving. I know about the lighting. I know that if the fan is on then I have to dub again and if I wait a long time before dubbing it becomes harder because I've lost touch with the scene. So it becomes easier.
Bittu is a modern girl and so am I so we have many similarities. Even so, Bittu belongs to Delhi and I am from Mumbai. There are a lot of differences between Mumbai and Delhi girls. It was fun to play Bittu's character and not just me but today's youth too can relate to her. Many of us go through the same problems that she goes through.
You worked with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and now with Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra. How different was your experience with these two directors?
I am lucky to have worked with these brilliant directors. I worked with Sanjay even earlier when I was an assistant director on Black and it was great to work with him again. I have learnt a lot from Rakeysh. He taught me the importance of a good script, how to perfect a character and give it an edge and how to deliver dialogues. He also gave me many tips on acting and body language.
You are just one film old whereas Abhishek is older than you and has done many films. What was it like working with him?
Don't ask! He used to play so many pranks on me but it all made me more comfortable. He didn't spare me for a single day but I think he did that so that I would be more at ease with him. And because we bonded it translated into our great chemistry onscreen.
Many people say that the music from Delhi-6 songs is much better than Slumdog Millionaire. What you think?
Yay! I think that the music for his next film will also be better than Dehli-6's. That's because A. R. Rahman's talent grows with each project. I am lucky to be in a film for which he has contributed to the soundtrack.
Before becoming an actress, you worked as an assistant director so you must understand the technical aspect of filmmaking better than other actors. How much of an advantage is this knowledge?
It's good because I know when a focal point is set. I know what angle to turn my face at when the camera is moving. I know about the lighting. I know that if the fan is on then I have to dub again and if I wait a long time before dubbing it becomes harder because I've lost touch with the scene. So it becomes easier.
Have you done any backstage work on Delhi-6?
No.
What has been your family's reaction to the film?
They have not seen the film yet but my father (Anil Kapoor) told me that I should be practical and work hard. He said that I should never follow anyone else's footsteps because whoever rises early also falls soon. My mummy is the sweetest in the world and she just loves my performances. My father also says that the most important thing is to be professional. He says that everyone's opinion is important in the arts because it is a visual medium.
What sort of guidance have your parents given you regarding your career and what are their expectation of you?
When I was small my mother used to say me 'beta padhayi karo taaki badi ho kar achcha var mile'. My father always treated me as if I were his son. Even if I get married, he would like to keep me as his ghar jamai. But I always wanted to become an actress. Both my parents have always helped and guided me with whatever I have wanted to do. I am also very close to my sister, we share everything. My brother is much younger than me but he is very blunt. If I am not looking good in any role, he will say it.
What is the toughest part of being in Bollywood?
Every industry has its pros and cons. One of the drawbacks here is that women are not taken as seriously as men are. But that happens in most fields, whether you are an actress or a journalist. It's not just a rule in India but the rule of nature. There is no equality.
No.
What has been your family's reaction to the film?
They have not seen the film yet but my father (Anil Kapoor) told me that I should be practical and work hard. He said that I should never follow anyone else's footsteps because whoever rises early also falls soon. My mummy is the sweetest in the world and she just loves my performances. My father also says that the most important thing is to be professional. He says that everyone's opinion is important in the arts because it is a visual medium.
What sort of guidance have your parents given you regarding your career and what are their expectation of you?
When I was small my mother used to say me 'beta padhayi karo taaki badi ho kar achcha var mile'. My father always treated me as if I were his son. Even if I get married, he would like to keep me as his ghar jamai. But I always wanted to become an actress. Both my parents have always helped and guided me with whatever I have wanted to do. I am also very close to my sister, we share everything. My brother is much younger than me but he is very blunt. If I am not looking good in any role, he will say it.
What is the toughest part of being in Bollywood?
Every industry has its pros and cons. One of the drawbacks here is that women are not taken as seriously as men are. But that happens in most fields, whether you are an actress or a journalist. It's not just a rule in India but the rule of nature. There is no equality.
You have become known for your unique style. How does Sonam Kapoor define fashion?
Fashion is whatever looks good and is aesthetically pleasing. As long as you are comfortable and you look good then you are fashionable - you need not be in designer wear. For instance, there is so much good stuff available on Colaba Causeway. Even I buy chappals and shoes from there.
Where do you enjoy shopping from the most?
I buy all my dresses from New York. In India, I like to shop in Delhi.
After becoming an actress, is it possible for you to go shopping on the streets of Mumbai?
Yea, I go pretty often. If you don't demand attention then no one will give it to you. People in Mumbai are used to seeing stars. Plus, there are so many bigger stars than me in Mumbai so it's not a big deal to go out in public. But in other cities such as Delhi and Bangalore, people are mad about stars. Mumbai is different- everyone is used to it.
What are the gadgets you can't leave your home without?
I am a tech-savvy person. I can't leave without my iPod, mobile and laptop. Nowadays people are so attached to technology, especially mobile phones. There are so many things packed into a mobile phone now.
What kind of films would you like to do?
I like Satyajit Ray, Guru Dutt, Quentin Tarantino and Bimal Roy. There are many!
What are your future projects?
No comments.
Fashion is whatever looks good and is aesthetically pleasing. As long as you are comfortable and you look good then you are fashionable - you need not be in designer wear. For instance, there is so much good stuff available on Colaba Causeway. Even I buy chappals and shoes from there.
Where do you enjoy shopping from the most?
I buy all my dresses from New York. In India, I like to shop in Delhi.
After becoming an actress, is it possible for you to go shopping on the streets of Mumbai?
Yea, I go pretty often. If you don't demand attention then no one will give it to you. People in Mumbai are used to seeing stars. Plus, there are so many bigger stars than me in Mumbai so it's not a big deal to go out in public. But in other cities such as Delhi and Bangalore, people are mad about stars. Mumbai is different- everyone is used to it.
What are the gadgets you can't leave your home without?
I am a tech-savvy person. I can't leave without my iPod, mobile and laptop. Nowadays people are so attached to technology, especially mobile phones. There are so many things packed into a mobile phone now.
What kind of films would you like to do?
I like Satyajit Ray, Guru Dutt, Quentin Tarantino and Bimal Roy. There are many!
What are your future projects?
No comments.
Link http://www.starboxoffice.com/newsDetails.aspx?xfile=2009/February/News_20090212_90
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