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Sonam Kapoor, the star daughter of Anil Kapoor, has
been always in the news as a fashion icon, a
fashionista. Simultaneously, she has been in news for
her selection of roles and films. Right from her debut
film Saawariyaa to the current Ranjhanna, she has been
extremely cautious and choosy when it comes to
selection of roles—be it Sakina (Sawaariyaa) or Bitoo
(Delhi 6) or Yayat ( Mausam). The tall beauty is back
again with director Anand L Rai's Ranjhanna. Excerpts
from a chat with Sonam:
Was playing a school girl tough?
I still remember the first day when I was on the set with
two chotis (plait/braid) and in a school uniform. There
was Dhanush and few thousand people who had
gathered to see us shoot in Benaras. I was honestly
very tense and anxious. But when I used to be get ready
on the set with my hair and costume I would look like
15-year old Zoya. I also believed in myself and thanks
to the good genes from my father! Though my father
gets upset when he hears this (smiles), I do look like my
mother a lot.
So how was Sonam in her school days?
Don't ask me! I was so different from Zoya. I went to
Arya Vidya Mandir in Mumbai and this school was very
conservative. I used to wear Nehru shirts and trousers.
And in the film I am wearing skirts so it was quite a
contrast. I was a very calm and timid girl in my school
in comparison to Zoya. My school was also a Hindi
medium school and one of the reasons why Anand Rai
(director) approached me for Zoya was my Hindi. I
speak very good Hindi which was needed for this role.
What is the mantra for a good on screen chemistry?
Chemistry cannot be created. I strongly believe that it is
the screenplay and characters that are responsible for
it. You can create moments of good chemistry between
couples. I am happy that people have liked my
chemistry with Dhanush. At the same time, I am scared
too. The scenes are also very important. For example
Shahid and Kareena did Jab We Met and in that movie
people have noticed their striking on screen chemistry
and also loved them. In other films the scenes and the
dialogues were not good enough so it didn't catch the
audiences' attention.
Your roles are very different in every film. Is it a
conscious decision?
I don't judge or compare my life with the success ratio. I
am not getting typecast in the industry. If people can
consider myself for a 1950's era role as Milkha Singh's
girlfriend, and that of a girl in the holy city Benaras
wanting to go to JNU (Ranjhanna), and as a modern day
girl who is a banker (In YRF's next film), I think that says
a lot. I consciously take a decision not to be seen in
similar characters in every film of mine. For example
Mausam bombed at the box office, but the way I played
Sakina in the film I am extremely proud of myself and I
have got some worthy compliments for the same. So
after 20 years when I will look back at my career I want
to feel good. Every character of mine in my films has
helped me grow as an actor. In my six-year-old career,
people know me for my characters. My fans have loved
me as Masakali girl and have showered their praises for
my glam look in Aisha.
There were rumours that the role of Zoya was offered to
a different actress. Your comments on that
Never, I was always the first choice to play Zoya. I
respect my director, my actor and my team a lot. And
the rumour was a result of some PR machinery on an
overdrive.
A lot has been written about you and Abhay Deol post
Aisha. How comfortable were you during Ranjhanna?
We are very comfortable with each other. We do wish
each other on our birthdays for the last five years. We
both know what exactly is happening in our lives. And if
you ask him how's Sonam Kapoor, his reply will be
'Sonam always beats me up.' I would have not been
working with Abhay if I had a problem with him. I am
quite an honest person and I would be always vocal
about it. If I don't like a person I would tell him/her on
the face.
What's your take on love
I am right now single and I do believe that love can
happen many times and can come to your life more
than once. Human beings have that capacity. After
Ranjhanna, I understood the capacity of a person to
love, compassion and forgiveness. This film has a lot of
emotions and I grabbed it with both my hands to
experience this film.
How is Dhanush as a co-star?
Well he is extremely quiet, after the shooting came to an
end we have become friends. He really worked hard in
this film and when it comes to emotions language is no
barrier for anybody. I am very specific about everything
in my life like the way I would like to see things. With
him I have noticed he is extremely creative and always
in his character that I also became like him during the
making of the film.
Your pairing with Dhanush has got mixed reviews
Dhanush became a part of the cast after I was signed
for the film. Director Anand L Rai called me one day and
told me that he is taking Dhanush as the hero of the
film. I was aware of Dhanush's fame for Kolaveri D...
and I also knew he is a national award winner. My
director has also showed me one of his film's still where
he is wearing a gamcha around his neck and wearing a
saffron turban and seating with sadhus in Benaras.
After seeing that I told director that definitely I would
like to do this film with him. I knew from that moment
that this pairing is going to work for the film.
Do you consider yourself as a director's actor?
I am a complete director's actor and I have always
maintained that. Whenever I sign any film I always
surrender myself to the director so if my film is
successful, in terms of box office, the credit goes to the
director and if not the blame also goes to the director! I
would do whatever my director would ask me to do till
the time he says cut.
Recently you have celebrated your birthday overseas.
How was the celebration?
You know for the last few years I have been celebrating
my birthdays on the sets--whether it was my birthday
during the making of Black, where I was assisting
Sanjay Leela Bhansali , and later when I was doing
Sawariyaa. So it was always a working birthdays for
me. This year, as I am busy with film promotions, I took
the time off and went to Europe to celebrate my
birthday. I do work a lot in my life but I would never
prioritize work before life. I earn money to lead a good
life. And this birthday I have taken a resolution that
every four months I should take a break and enjoy
myself.
Tell us about the celebrity father-daughter
relationship?
I am a very sensitive person and he knows this quality
of mine so he is very protective about me. I started
working when I was 18 years old, and stopped taking
money from him since then. He is proud that I am on
my own. I want to create my own identity. People see
me as Anil Kapoor's daughter, but they also see me as a
fashion icon and a as a good actor too, I hope. I love my
father. I am fortunate to have such a wonderful family.
All of them have been supportive with all my decisions.
Indeed, with the looks, the brains, and the personality to
match, Sonam Kapoor is a fortunate young lady. She is
B-town's current generation - speaking her mind and
living her life to the fullest. Sonam Kapoor brings to
Bollywood - a fresh spirit & an unbeatable charm -exactly our definition of a true fashionista.
by Srabanti Chakrabarti
Members Lounge
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