SONAM:I don't consider myself to b in the rat race

'I'm not a nun: Sonam

SARAH SALVADORE , TNN, Jun 19, 2010, 12.00am IST

Sonam Kapoor might know her Guccis from her Pradas and is hailed as one of Bollywood's best dressed leading ladies, but she has a down-to-earth charm that percolates through even over a long-distance phone interview with Hyderabad Times.

Currently in Scotland, shooting with Shahid Kapoor for Mausam, Sonam took time out to talk about her next outing, I Hate Luv Storys and lots more.

After debuting with Sanjay Leela Bhansali in Saawariya and following it up with Rakyesh Omprakash Mehra's Delhi 6, one wonders why this lovely lass chose to work with debutant filmmaker Punit Malhotra. The thing that attracted me most to the film was the script. Punit was eager to have me on board and I always wanted to work with Karan (Johar). Plus, it was thrilling to be paired with Imran.

I think we look fantastic together on screen,she explains. After a much talked about debut , one thought that the Kapoor beti would go on a signing spree. But so far, the actor has just two films that hit screens, while her contemporaries have raced ahead in terms of number of movies. Is she being cautious after her debut debacle?

Being my father's daughter the one important thing I learnt is how to move ahead in life and not ponder over the past, says Sonam adding, It was a sorry situation that things didn't work out, but I'm a positive person who likes to move on.

So what's the reason behind her taking things slow on the filmi front? I don't remember sitting home because ever since Saawariya released, I've been working,she explains. Yes, my contemporaries have had more films releasing, but to be honest, I don't like over-working myself. For an actor it's important to sit back and think as to what you want to do next. I want to be an actor for the rest of my life even when I'm married with kids so I'm going to do it at my own pace. With the race to be crowned queen bee getting hotter, doesn't it hamper her chances? Not at all. Because I don't consider myself to be in the rat race, she says confidently.

This year Sonam has two releases IHLS and her home production Aisha. And the mere mention of Aisha adds excitement to her voice. It's a film close to my heart. In fact in real life, I identify myself more with Aisha. And a large part of it is because my personal style has reflected in the film,says the clothes horse who swears on collecting vintage outfits. It's a hobby. Each garment has a story and since I'm fascinated by history and people, it all fits!Hailing from a film family, one expects Sonam to know her cinema. And she does not disappoint. As kids, my mother always kept us away from the filmi environment. In fact, I was in boarding school for 15 years. But thanks to my naani, I was sucked into the world of cinema after I watched Bandini and Sujata. That's when I knew I wanted to be part of films, maybe a director or script-writer. But fate had other plans, she says. So do her parents influence her filmi decisions ? I would be a fool not to ask dad and mom for advice. They give me their views but ultimately it's my decision.

Not really set in her filmi ways, as she would like to say, Sonam does not upset herself with rumours of link-ups. It began with Ranbir Kapoor in her first film and Cyrus Sahukar in the second. Now it's Punit's turn. I don't really care. Come on, I'm a young girl and I'm allowed to have my share of link-ups. It's not like I'm a nun, she says. Dad would get upset initially because in his days things were different, but now he is cool. He's taught me how to be a professional and that takes care of most rumours.

Apart from Imran, Shahid and Abhay, Sonam's also paired with Akshay Kumar in a forthcoming film. Who you are paired with does not matter. In future I'd like to work with SRK, Aamir and Salman too, she says as a parting shot.