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