“Salman and I go beyond movies…”

 

The year Sonakshi Sinha made her debut, she bagged all the promising newcomer awards for Dabangg. Since then, Sinha has oscillated between the promising and the forgotten. With films like Lootera and Rowdy Rathore, she could be making news or she could be doing insipid roles in box-office duds and easily forgotten. This hit-and-miss career might have taken a toll on a lesser person, but Sonakshi Sinha only seems to be strengthening her armour. The confidence she exudes tells you, there is something she knows that we don’t know… Shubarna Mukerji Shu of Bollywood Insider takes it upon herself to find out.

Her command over Hindi language, her diction, her poise – everything screams lineage. Shatrughan Sinha’s only daughter, Sonakshi Sinha is carrying the blue blood of Bollywood. Even without a trace of make-up, she glows from the inside. Sonakshi Sinha returns from the gym looking fit and svelte. She settles down with a glass of water and answers all our questions.

How is it that you are not jumping with joy while Kalank is shaking up the overseas market?

I am soaking up the sun, that’s what I am doing. You won’t believe the kind of opposition I faced when I signed the film. Almost everyone, who wished me well, said it might not be the wisest decision. For all their good intentions, it was obvious they didn’t have much faith in my ability to hold my own (laughs). Jokes apart, I am glad I got the chance to be a part of this illustrious journey. This goes to show one must listen to one’s heart.

I am sure you realize that the concern of your well-wishers was stemming from the fact that you do not have enough screen time in your first Dharma film, as opposed to the Dharma regular – Alia Bhatt!

I play the role of Aditya Roy Kapoor’s wife Satya Chowdhary in the film. She is a strong woman who holds her family together and takes the narrative forward. Every character, including mine, actually contributes to the film. Each actor’s role is different from the other and there can be absolutely no comparison between my role and Alia’s.

As for the screen time, as an actor, I have never been insecure. Also, I cannot forget the fact that I signed a multistarrer. Have you seen Avengers: End Game or Ocean’s 11? These are big stars coming together to make a film. Do you think such a thing would have been possible if everyone sat down and calculated their screen time and compared it with others? Why go to Hollywood, look closer home – one of the biggest multi-starrer hits from Dharma is Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham! Which is the character you most vividly remember? Kareena Kapoor’s Pooh. She walked into the film post interval. So you see it doesn’t take the length of the film to determine your shine.

Kalank is your second period film, post Lootera, how was it getting into the skin of the character?

You have seen me, spoken to me, partied with me – you know what kind of a person I am. I am flamboyant and bindaas. But as an actor, it is a pre-requisite that I morph. Once you are on the sets and you wear the costume, you automatically transform from Sonakshi to say Satya. I don’t have much in common with my character in Kalank, but it is my job to make Satya believable and relatable.

I really think the only way I can be successful as an actor is if I can manage to bring my director’s vision on to the screen. Around 97% of what I do is converting my director’s vision into visuals; the remaining 3% is what I put into the character to make it mine.

While doing all this, I am not stopping to think about the era, the cinematography etc…. I am only thinking about being honest to my character. So, to answer your question, it doesn’t matter that this is a period film. I would have done my part diligently no matter what.

There is one thing you mentioned that’s playing on my mind – “I am not insecure”. In a field where you are as good as last Friday, how do you not let flops and insecurities get to you?

There is a simple explanation to that. If I was out of work after my flops, it would have been a horrible setback for me. I might even have started doubting my career choice. The fact is that for the past nine years that I have been in this industry, I have never once sat at home, with nothing to do, hoping to sign something big. I have not once been out of work. Just a while ago, you mentioned Lootera, that film was a very big high for me in spite of the bitter fact that the film had the lowest collections at the box office. My job is to go to the sets and give my 100%. Akshay Kumar Sir had once told me that in his career, he had faced not one or two but 13 flops in a row. You have to be patient towards your work and just keep flowing. If you keep working, you don’t have time for insecurities to get the better of you.

Given the list of films you have lined up, I don’t think you have to worry about the flops at all.

You are right, I am really fortunate, I have some nice work lined up and I am looking forward to each one of them. After Kalank, I have Mission Mangal based on true events of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launching the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), making it the least expensive mission to Mars. I am opposite Akshay Kumar in that film. Then there is Dabangg 3 and an untitled film being directed by Shilpi and Bhuj with Ajay Devgn. There is also an untitled film with T Series.

Are you excited about Dabangg 3?

I am excited about each of them, because they are different kinds of movies. But yes, Dabangg 3 will hold a special place. Salman Khan Sir told me that I am the first ever heroine in Bollywood to be part of a sequel for the third time after Dabangg and Dabangg 2. Rajjo is a character that I can enact even in my sleep. It is ironic that I was not at all interested in taking up acting as my career and was keen on becoming a fashion designer. The moment I started acting in Dabangg, thanks to Salman Khan Sir, I realized that acting was my true calling as far as my life is concerned. Dabangg and Salman Sir did that for me. Now being a part of Dabangg 3 after a gap of almost ten years after Dabangg, is a surreal feeling and like a homecoming for me.

Not to forget, it is being directed by Prabhu Deva who gave you the biggest hit of your career – Rowdy Rathore…

Yes, it is fantastic to get a chance to be directed by Prabhu Sir again. I think I can safely say that Prabhu Sir is the fastest director with whom I have worked till date. I don’t know how he does it, but almost always he okays the very first take itself and does not ask for additional takes. I have not really been able to ask him how does he manage to get it right each time in the first take itself, because I am sure he won’t be able to tell me in a language I will understand.

It is amazing how, in all these years, neither has Prabhu Sir learnt Hindi, nor have I learnt his language Tamil, but both of us have invented an entirely new language of communication and manage our way around it.

What is your relationship with Salman Khan like?

My relationship with Salman Sir goes beyond movies, I don’t think I have to wait for a movie to go see him, talk to him or take his advice. He is someone who has always been there for me. Movies or no movies, our bond will always be there. Of course, he knows if he ever has some film I can be a part of, I will leap at the offer.

Given the diverse choices you have made in your career already, do you  ever sit and draw parallels with your father’s initial years in the industry?

I don’t think it is possible to make any comparisons but I do have a secret wish-list of my dad’s films which I would have loved to do - Shaan, Khudgarz, Kaala Pathar and Khoon Bhari Maang. I pray someone thinks of making a remake and casts me in it.

While we are talking about prayers, are you also praying for a handsome Prince Charming to spruce up your love life?

All I can do is pray, I don’t have any time to go out and meet new people. God knows, I would have loved to have a boyfriend, someone to share my every day with. Wonder when that would happen.