Actress tells asira tarannum why she won’t be moving out of her parents’ home, the reason she thinks deepika padukone is lucky, and how romancing salman khan has been very easy
After a few hits and some misses, Sonam Kapoor was able to bag the big one — a film with Salman Khan, which incidentally, is also her first film with a Khan. In a freewheeling conversation she talks about the good and bad about being an insider in the industry, her future projects, the role her father plays in her career, her equation with rival actresses and more. Excerpts:
How is it like being Anil Kapoor’s daughter I am very protected, very loved by everybody. I have got a lot of support and goodwill from the industry, which is also because I come from a film family and I am my father’s daughter. Yes, there are advantages of being in my position and I am so grateful for that. But the flip side of that is whatever I do gets attributed to my lineage. When my sister and I made Aisha and later Khoobsurat, our hard work got dismissed. Being an outsider is certainly difficult, but being an insider is not easy either. There are pros and cons to everything.
So how instrumental is your father in your career moves Do you run your scripts by him Of course, I have to. What is the point of him being my dad then (smiles). He is my dad and he has survived in the industry for 30 years and he is still on top. So there’s a reason for that.
We hear Rhea is producing a film that apparently has you, Katrina and Anushka Yes, she is but the cast has not been finalised yet. It’s not a chick flick. She is producing three films in fact — one is a college film, then there is Battle of Bittora and another film with Khoobsurat director Shashank. Right now, our focus is on the casting. I have been cast for one of the roles and one more actor has been roped in as well. But there is more to be done. As of now, we have not made any offer to any actor.
So if they are offered the roles, do you feel the other actresses will take them up I’d do it if I were in their place. I think yes, they would also do the same. This is the age of women-centric cinema and honestly, all of us get along. I am very fond of Katrina, Kangana, Anushka, Swara. Jacqueline is one of my best friends. We are all on good terms.
But we keep hearing that Deepika and you aren’t that cordial I actually liked the Vogue campaign. When someone makes a valid point, I like that. I may not agree with the methods a lot of people use but it’s fine as long as the intentions are correct. So anybody who speaks up, especially when women do, I feel it’s a great thing.
What do you think is that one thing you have and Deepika doesn’t I think she has everything and more... I haven’t worked with Shah Rukh Khan yet.
Are you moving out of your parents’ place to your new apartment No, I am not moving out. I have purchased a house but I will be staying with my parents. I can’t do laundry. I am just really comfortable with my parents and they are liberal. They give us all the freedom. I feel like eventually when I do get married or find someone I want to live with, I might move out. Also, since I am working and am out of the city for 3-4 months, I don’t want to come back to an empty house. I love having meals with my parents. I went to a boarding school and would always look forward to coming home. My parents are really chilled out.
Your younger brother Harsh-wardhan is making his debut. Have you listed out some dos and don’ts for him He is working with Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra who claims that I am his muse and he has still cast my brother. All I said to him, is that Mehra is the perfect director to debut with. And that if he works hard, nobody can stop him. Hard work goes a long way in this industry.
What are your other projects I am doing a film called Neerja, besides that I have two more projects with my sister. Nothing interesting has come my way other than these projects. But if Arbaaz (Khan) doesn’t take me in his next film, I will kill him (laughs). I love working with Arbaaz.
How was it romancing Salman Khan I have worked with Salman before in Saawariya but that was 20 days of work and this is 200 days of work. I was really happy because he is gorgeous. It was easy romancing Salman Khan. I don’t know how easy it was for him, he is very good looking! How did the film happen to you You are a Rajshri heroine now, which many actresses would want to be... Soorajji saw Mausam when it had premiered. And then he saw Raanjhnaa and really liked my work in it. My agent Atul got a call from his office, asking me to meet him. But they also said that they needed to figure out the logistics, whether or not the other actors would like to work with me. I don’t know how far this is true but Salman has been saying this in every interview that Soorajji wrote the film keeping me in mind. So on the sets, he would keep telling me to ‘be yourself’. I was like I don’t know if it is a good thing or a bad thing (laughs). But initially, talks were on with other actresses too. I was shooting for Khoobsurat in November before going on a short break for Christmas and New Years. By the time I got back, I learnt that I was finalised.
