Shatrughan Sinha had raised eyebrows when he backed out of Akira after accepting the role of his daughter Sonakshi’s father. But, according to the actor, it was only because the character was that of a vocally-impaired man.
Says Shatruji, “My entire career, I’ve been seen as a vociferous character who says ‘khamosh’ to all his friends and enemies. How could I myself become ‘khamosh’?” He added that the film would have had no scenes with Sonakshi and him on screen at the same time.
But Shatrughan is all praise for Atul Kulkarni, who essayed the role of Sonakshi’s father in the film. “He is a very accomplished actor. I am so glad he did the role as he brought the character to life.”
For her part, Sonakshi, too, was not keen on Shatrughan playing the part of her dad in Akira, as the character dies and is seen only in flashbacks. “Like any doting daughter, Sonakshi doesn’t like the thought of something happening to her father,” says Shatruji.
However, the duo plan to work together in director Umesh Shukla’s film, which Shatrughan will produce. It will also star Sonakshi’s brother, Luv Sinha. Says Shatrughan, “It’s too early to talk about it. The details are still being worked out.”
