Usually in the news for her style statements or candid quotes, and more recently a cameo in Coldplay's "Hymn For The Weekend", this is the first time that Sonam Kapoor -- the actress -- is getting all the attention.
Neerja is turning out to be for Sonam what Queen, Cocktail and Paa were for some of her peers.
For her, the journey from Saawariya to Neerja has been slow, but she has been on a steady ascendant for some time now, with confident performances in Raanjhanaa and Khoobsurat, followed by a stunning music video with Hrithik Roshan and to top it all a dance step that is now a must-do at every wedding sangeet.
Here's a throwback to all those times we fell in love with Sonam Kapoor!
Saawariya
If you jog your memory a bit and rewind to Diwali 2007, you will recollect that Sonam Kapoor's shy persona gave tough competition to Deepika Padukone's magnetic screen presence (in rival release Om Shanti Om). Unfortunately for her Saawariya sank without a trace, but those enduring images of Sonam in songs like "Yun Shabnami", "Masha Allah", "Thode Badmash" and the title track gave us a glimpse of that charming smile and trademark sparkle in the eyes that were bound to win a million hearts in the years to come.
Delhi 6
She came, she saw, she danced with a pigeon on her head... And voila! A star was born. The "Masakalli"-moment over the years became a defining image for the actress and still enjoys exceptional recall whenever the actress interacts with her fans and the media.
Aisha
Unfortunately there isn't much love among critics for good-looking films with wealthy characters. Which is why Sonam's remarkable portrayal of a high-society control-freak brat didn't get the attention it deserved. Scratch the glossy surface and you'll notice a performance that accurately captures the vibe of a section of South Delhi's posh young crowd.
Khoobsurat also suffered from the Aisha problem... It just wasn't dark and depressing enough to be applauded by the critics.
Raanjhanaa
Dhanush's breakthrough performance left little scope for anybody else to shine in this hinterland romance, but Sonam Kapoor was self-assured in her portrayal of a character that was not exactly likeable. Revisit it today and you see a nuanced performance that gave context to the entire plot as well as the leading man's character.
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
A short and sweet cameo in the flashback portions of the movie worked due to her ever-so-addictive smile, as she perfectly symbolised the goodness and positivity that her character's presence brought to the protagonist's troubled youth.
Khoobsurat
This one also suffered from the Aisha problem... It just wasn't dark and depressing enough to be applauded by the critics. Playing our desi counterpart to Anne Hathaway's Princess Diaries, Sonam Kapoor brought a unique freshness to a somewhat predictable premise with her vibrancy and energy. Sonam is especially superb in her scenes with Fawad Khan, and the way she plays off his intense persona is among the best examples of on-screen chemistry in recent times.
Prem Ratan Dhan Payo
When was the last time a Himesh Reshammiya track with Indian dance steps and an extravagant Rajasthani setting went viral for the right reasons? Sonam Kapoor's gorgeous moves from Sooraj Barjatya's family drama became such a talking point on the Internet that it inspired a mini-Dubsmash revolution in the country. Despite being a Salman Khan film it was this track and her steps that got people talking. This was indeed Sonam's "Didi Tera Devar"...And the beginning of the magic that we are experiencing now in Neerja.
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