There’s no doubt in Sonam Kapoor’s mind that when it comes to Bollywood, she owns the fashion space
The ‘break’ has you looking fresh and fit…
I took time off to concentrate on myself. I joined dance classes to lose weight. I didn’t want to work out. I’m doing modern jazz and it’s good fun.
What made you take this break?
If you keep on working with no time to travel, read and form relationships, you stop growing. As an artiste, you need to interact and move around to be able to tell more stories. I had to take time off to grow. I also did a bit of research for my next film, Raanjhnaa. Many actresses keep doing repetitive work because they’ve stopped growing. I took time off from the movies to concentrate on the relationships and people in my life. I don’t want to be a part of the rat race. It’s not in my personality. In the past, I lost my way and got carried away by what people told me to do. Now, I’ll do what I want.
A lot of introspection seems to have happened…
This sabbatical gave me time to think. It made me realise who my real friends in the industry are. I also realised people missed me when I wasn’t around. You can’t imagine the number of calls and messages I’ve received in the past two months. It made me feel good. It felt nice to be wanted. The break also made me realise who I am. I read, travelled and visited museums.
Will the time-off have an effect on your career?
Absolutely! The best part was that it made me think how I should take my career forward. I have a niche audience. They don’t like to see me in completely commercial films nor do they want to see me in arty ones. I got rave reviews for my roles in arty films like Saawariya, Delhi 6 and Mausam but the films didn’t do well. Somehow, masala potboilers likeThank You and Players also didn’t work with the audience. They want to see me in films, which have an amalgamation of art and entertainment. I Hate Luv Storys and Aisha are two such films. The middle ground works for me. I guess this sets me apart. During the break, I read a lot of scripts and said no to three big films. I’ve just signed Raanjhnaa.
What made you sign Raanjhnaa?
I chose the film because of director Anand L Rai (of Tanu Weds Manu fame). He may not be an experienced director but he’s an honest person. He’s not making the film for money. It isn’t a big film and I’m cast opposite Dhanush, a first timer in Hindi films. But it doesn’t bother me. I’m happy that I’m working with an honest bunch of people, who want to make a good film. It’s a beautiful love story and my role is meaty.
Reports say you have a lot of creative control on the set. True?
I don’t have creative control over the film. I’m just a part of the costumes brainstorming team. Anand was travelling and he requested me to sit with the designers and discuss my clothes. Even Sanjay Leela Bhansali (Saawariya) and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra (Delhi 6) gave me a free hand in deciding my clothes and look in their films. In Aisha and I Hate Luv Storys, I didn’t have any say. In Raanjhnaa, I’m doing a lot of research about the character and her costumes. It’s a good feeling to be so involved in a film.
What happens when you don’t like your clothes and don’t have a say?
Usually, I make sure I work with designers whom I trust. There have been times when I have put my foot down because I didn’t like the clothes. But there have also been times when I didn’t like the clothes but couldn’t do much about it. InThank You, I didn’t like my look but the director (Anees Bazmee) insisted on that particular look. I didn’t understand what was going on in the film anyway. I was like a fish out of water. Since then, I have made up my mind not to let this happen and never to get into such uncomfortable situations. I’m an intelligent girl and won’t leave my brains behind.
How does it feel teaming up with Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra again for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag?
It’s nice working with him. It’s the same team as Delhi 6 and I feel in sync. They give me creative control as well. They know my weaknesses and strengths and I know theirs. I feel at home. Rakeysh has faith in my talent and I give my best with him. That sort of confidence is amazing for a young girl like me.
Your film with Rajkumar Santoshi didn’t materialise, right?
I’d love to work with Mr Rajkumar Santoshi but the producers (Eros) also need to be happy with the casting. I have agreed to do the film but nothing is official yet. Abhay Deol might be cast opposite me.
Are you doing Punit Malhotra’s next?
I don’t know. But I hope to do it. As I said earlier, it all depends on the totality of the film. Will I suit the film? Will the producer be happy? I’d love to work with Karan Johar and Punit but they haven’t offered me anything.
You have done just one film with Dharma Productions and none so far with Yash Raj Films. Aren’t you losing out on something?
I don’t look for big banners. I have worked with the biggest filmmakers — like Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Rakeysh Mehra. I produce films myself. There have been talks with YRF but nothing has worked out yet.
While actresses want to work with established heroes, you have no qualms about working with new guys, the latest being Dhanush…
My journey has been different. I started off with a debutant, Ranbir Kapoor. When I worked with Imran Khan, he had four flops behind him. I Hate Luv Storys was his first hit after Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na. When I worked with Abhay, nobody knew him much. He was doing films like Manorama Six Feet Under, which had an initial of Rs 80,000. Dev D hadn’t even released then. So, in a way, I brought Abhay Deol to mainstream cinema. Dhanush is popular because of Kolaveri di but no one knows him as an actor here. What’s more important is that I have a good role. If I work with Ranbir, I know he’ll have the best role. I too want the best role. One actor I really want to work with is Sharman Joshi. He’s amazing.
So it would be better roles over big films?
I’d rather do an unsuccessful film in which I have a good role. I don’t care about the scale of the film as long as I have a fine role and the critics appreciate me. People will always remember Naina from Players. They’ll remember me as the girl who drove fast cars and brandished the middle finger. None of the actresses have gained from being a Khan heroine. They may be doing big films but it does nothing for their careers. I can’t fit into such films. I’m an alpha female.
Thirty years hence, what would you like to be known as?As a very good actor. A few astrologers have even told me that I’ll be acting till the last day of my life.
Does your image as a fashionista overpower your image as an actress?Absolutely! If I had a lot of hit films and had been at the top of the line, then it could have been balanced. There’s so much competition when it comes to acting but on the fashion scene, there’s no one except me. No other actress is called a fashion icon. At the risk of sounding, immodest, I own the fashion space. I’m the epicentre of style. I love fashion, clothes and designers. Some actresses are known for their relationships and scandals, I’d rather be known for my fashion.
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