Sonam Kapoor seems to be playing her cards right. There was a time when her films weren’t doing too well, but she bounced back with Raanjhanaa and followed it up with Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. Then the success of her last release Khoobsurat further established her viability, as unlike the other hits in her career, this film revolved around her. In her next release Dolly Ki Doli, she’ll be running the show again, ably supported by the very talented Rajkummar Rao and other actors. Besides that she has also bagged her first film opposite Salman Khan — Prem Ratan Dhan Paayo — for which she has started shooting already. So professionally, Sonam looks well set.
And the actress had us know that on the personal front too, things are just as rosy. She doesn’t get into the details, of course, and no surprises there. “I’m in a happy space. Yes, there is someone who is my lucky charm, but that apart, I don’t want to talk about it. There is no suspense about my personal life whatsoever. I don’t believe in hiding my relationship status and making a mockery out of it,” she says.
Ever since there were talks about her relationships with Punit Malhotra and Sahir Berry, Sonam’s love life has always been a matter of interest. She never admitted to these relationships but didn’t deny them either.
The actress manages to make just as much news with her quotable quotes, where she minces no words — a far cry from the politically correct Bollywood. “I think it has got a lot to do with our upbringing and values. My parents have taught us to speak our mind without the fear of being misunderstood. I don’t care about what others have to say about me, so long my family is aware of the truth,” she says. Sonam adds that she shares a very close relationship with daddy Anil Kapoor. “You know, what makes my dad really cool is that he is extremely understanding and supportive. Apart from being father-daughter, we’re really good friends. I confide in him a lot.”
She reveals that in her family it is her sister Rhea Kapoor who has the best business acumen. “For years now, producers and directors have expressed their desire to launch Rhea in their films. She’s a good looking, smart and intelligent girl. Time and again, we’ve all asked her if she’d want to be in front of the camera. But she is adamant that she is happy making films. After Aisha, she proved her growth and sensibility with her second film as producer, Khoobsoorat. At her age, it’s commendable.”
The actress is also known to be a very protective sister. “We are one big happy happy family. Why only me, everyone in our family goes out of his/her way to be there for each other. Yes, Arjun is my favourite cousin. I do keep a check on him and I expect the same from him,” she says with a laugh. Sonam continues, “Apart from Arjun and Rhea, my brother Harsh too is a part of the gen next of our family. Harsh does keep me updated on the progress of his debut film. But since it is Rakyesh Om Prakash Mehra’s film, I can’t give too many suggestions to him. As a sister and a senior, I can guide him on the do’s and don’t of the industry. I can give my opinion on certain things but I cannot give any suggestions on his look and attitude in the film. It’s strictly between the director and actor. Honestly, we don’t talk shop at home. Mom has tried her best to make our lives as simple and regular as any other family. None of us want to disrupt the old pattern and make newer rules that suit us.”
Sonam is candid enough to admit that bagging a film with Salman will surely add weight to her name. “Being paired opposite Salman is a big high. I’d be lying if I say that it doesn’t add weight to my reputation as an actor. I’ve known Salman for years. Earlier, he was my fathers’ friend and colleague and now he’s my co-star.”
The Khans are also associated with her upcoming film Dolly Ki Doli, with Arbaaz being the producer. Ask Sonam if she feels the pressure of maintaining Arbaaz’s 100-crore reputation (think Dabangg 2) and she says, “Dolly Ki Doli is a smaller film as compared to Dabangg and Dabangg 2. Playing the title role and hence being responsible for the buzz created by the film is a pressure, yes. If DKD can manage to get a good opening and sustain for two weeks, it’ll be considered a hit film. There is no comparison between the investments of other Salman Khan films and the money pumped in for DKD.”
