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Straight talk with Sonam Kapoor on personal life and public perceptions
Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 16, 2014)
Sonam Kapoor hates tabloid interviews as she believes they create 'misinterpretation' in public space. The apprehension is reflected on her face as she begins the interview over a cup of coffee. Excerpts:
Khubsoorat is one of Hrishikesh Mukherjee's iconic movies, aren't you worried about comparisons with Rekha?
Our film is an ode to the original. Today's films lack the beauty of a Hrishida movie. They were fairytales, simple yet commercial but never fluff. We are hoping to bring back a genre which strikes a balance between a good story, romance and humour.
That doesn't answer the question...
I am Anil Kapoor's daughter and since I've entered the industry, I've been compared to someone or the other. Rekhaji is close to our family, she loves Rhea and me. She was the first to see Aisha and she will be the first to see Khoobsurat. I can't better what she has done, but then ours is a different interpretation.
You recently said that people don't take you seriously as an actress...
That's not what I meant. What I said was that because I don't do much work, my fashion sense and opinions get discussed more than my movies.
There's no truth in that perception?
None. Since there are no controversies that make for a masala copy, my clothes and my opinions--good, bad, ugly, wrong and right-make front page news rather than compliments about me and my work.
If you become more prolific, your performances will overshadow your wardrobe...
I choose to do less work. I want a life outside movies. I have done just 10 films in seven years. A film requires a lot of time and work, I can do only this much.
Deepika Padukone is acting in nearly four films a year...
If my colleagues do more work, it's great. But my profession shouldn't be the only thing that defines me. Travelling, reading, meeting people outside work helps me grow as an artiste, keeps me in touch with reality.
Finding Fanny, Queen, Revolver Rani, mainstream actors are doing experimental films...
I've also done Saawariya, Delhi 6, Raanjhana and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. I wore a black kurta and no makeup in Raanjhanaa. What more can I do?
You think you stood out as a performer in these films?
My problem is the same as Lucielle Ball and Audrey Hepburn. You don't have to do something drastic or experimental to be known as a good actor. Why do I have to do dark films where I am looking weird to be considered a great actress? Kajol didn't have to do those 'hard-hitting' films to prove she's good. If the character is believable the performance is good.
Our industry borrows a lot from Hollywood like scripts, music, wardrobe. Why can't actors borrow the candour of their stars in talking about their personal lives?
There's a reason why your personal life is called 'personal'. Did I ask you who are you sleeping with?
But I'm not the movie star here...
Fair. I'm okay that people are interested in my personal life, but that's their problem.
Will you ever publicly acknowledge the man you are dating?
I can't say now. I wouldn't want my personal life to become a public spectacle.
Besides Prem Ratan Dhan Payo with Salman Khan and Dolly Ki Doli with Rajkummar Rao, do you have any other films?
There's Battle For Bittora whose rights we've bought. We start next year. There is also a biopic of Amrita Sher-Gil.
Alia Bhatt redeemed herself for the Koffee With Karan fiasco with a mockumentary called Genius Of The Year. Would you give something like this a shot?
That was great PR on Alia's part. Pure genius. But no, I wouldn't 'redeem' myself that way as I don't feel the need to. Besides, it's already been attempted.
http://www.mumbaimirror.com/entertainment/bollywood/Why-do-I-have-to-do-dark-films-and-look-weird-to-be-considered-a-great-actress/articleshow/42585735.cms
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