Sonam's dad wants a 'ghar jamai'

She's sophisticated, charming and talented, much like her supremely successful father Anil Kapoor. Her much-hyped debut "Saawariya" might have been the debacle of the year but like her tenacious father, she's not about to let the failure pull her down.

Sonam's back with "Delhi-6" by none other than Rang De Basanti's celebrated director Rakyesh Omprakash Mehra, and that too opposite Abhishek Bachchan.

Sonam plays this young loveable girl Bittu in the movie, someone so ordinary and yet so special. The actress admits her character represents "80 per cent of the people in India" – the youth. Mehra is an ace when it comes to youth-oriented subjects – the revolution that "Rang De Basanti" started is still on.

"Bittu doesn't want to become a graduate then marry someone her father chooses for her. She wants to create her own identity. Those between the ages of 18 and 28 will identify with my character. "Delhi-6" is a universal story that everybody will like," says Sonam.

The pretty actress admits to being similar to Bittu in her own life. She's been torn between following her parents' wishes and being her own person. "I don't want to hurt my parents or go against their wishes," she says. But there are differences between her and Bittu, the biggest being the socioeconomic class the two belong to. "Plus I am from Mumbai and she's from Delhi. Girls from Mumbai are very different from those in Delhi."

How does she know that? She's never really lived in Delhi to be able to compare. "A did my bit of research. I saw a lot of films about Delhi girls, spoke to many of my Delhi friends too. The way they talk and behave is quite different from the girls in Mumbai," elaborates Sonam.

Why then didn't Mehra take some Delhi girl? So many Indian actresses are actually from Delhi and we bet there's a steady stream of starry-eyed pretty young things into Mumbai from the national capital. "He did audition a lot of girls. But he didn't find anyone suitable. We just met up at my home and he told me about the role. After I heard the script, I felt nice about it. Plus the fact that a director like him wanted to sign me on was a big deal," she recalls.

The film was shot extensively in Delhi, particularly in Chandni Chowk, which Sonam feels is symbolic of everything India stands for. Mehra seems to have used symbolism to the fullest extent in the movie. Like the use of pigeons in "Delhi-6". What we thought was a "Maine Pyaar Kiya" hangover is actually Mehra's attempt to draw parallels between the pigeon and the female lead. "Like the pigeon, Bittu also wants to be free. But both have to live with some restrictions."

Off the sets, she was rather free and herself despite being in the presence of more experienced professionals. "Abhishek keeps playing pranks. But he makes everyone comfortable. He guided me through the film and never did make me feel like a newcomer," she gushes about her love interest in the film.

As for Waheeda Rahman, her role of Rosy in "Guide" is something Sonam would kill to do. For now, however, she will have to be content to be called Masakalli, which ironically is the pigeon's name in the film and not hers. "People call me that! Recently I was passing Mohammad Ali Road and two women called out to me, calling me Masakalli," she laughs.

While that's a nice high isn't it dangerous for Sonam to be clad in traditional fineries in all her movies at a time when the glam brigade is going all out to outshine each other. "I don't really fear being stereotyped. Besides, even though they wear traditional clothes, Sakina of "Saawariya" is very different from Bittu of "Delhi 6". Sakina was very shy and Bittu's is happy and outgoing."

We bet daddy Anil doesn't mind her being all covered up at all. He's been a consistent hitmaker in the film industry and has done a variety of roles with some of the best in the industry. So does she rely on his good judgment to make her career decisions?

"I do ask him for advice and help. He's been around for 30 years and knows how things are done," she observes. Now that his film "Slumdog Millionaire" is up before the Academy Awards firing squad, she's rooting for her papa. She can't stop admiring director Danny Boyle's handiwork either. Once upon a time, Sonam too wanted to be a director, didn't she? "No, I wanted to be a writer," she replies.

Earlier, both Anil and her mother weren't too comfortable with the thought of her becoming an actress. But somewhere along the way, they gave in to her demands. "I think all fathers are like that. They would like to keep their daughters at home. And even if she gets married, he would like a 'ghar-jamai'. My father wants that too. He's really funny," she giggles.

Can't blame him for being possessive about his princess. There was a time when he did everything for Sonam, even tie her shoelaces. She recalls one incident during the shooting of "Roop Ki Raani Choron Ka Raja".

"I was on the sets with my father. And my shoelaces came loose. Papa was in the middle of a shot and I wouldn't let anyone else tie my shoelaces. I started crying for him. He actually left the shoot and came and tied my shoelaces."

She's no longer a little girl but still very much in her daddy's shadow.

Now that she's done two films, how does Sonam rate herself as an actress? "I think I am okay. I can act," she says modestly. She admits being a star kid has its advantages. "Yes it is easier. No one would mess with me. My dad would kill them," she finishes.

A refreshingly honesty attitude, good looks, talent and an influential father's support - is there any stopping Sonam?