SONAM’S DIRECT CONNECT!

The actor says she has found a couple of scripts and should start working on her directorial in a year or two; adds she’ll continue acting

Of late, a number of female stars — including Anushka Sharma, Priyanka Chopra and Chitrangda Singh — have turned to production. But actor Sonam K Ahuja is all set to take a different route and become a director instead. “I have found a couple of scripts. They are mostly ready, but it will still take a little time to work on and finalise them. I think I am going to do something [with regard to directing a film] in a year or two,” says the actor.

But can we safely assume that she will wield the megaphone by 2020? “One half of 2018 is already over. That’s why I feel it should happen in another one-and-a-half to two years. I intend to continue acting and direct as well — not in the same film, but at the same time. So let’s see how things go,” says the actor, adding that all the directors that she has worked with so far have also encouraged her to take up direction.

Sonam feels that she’s encouraged to direct because her mind works like a director’s. “Be it Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Aanand L Rai, R Balki or Ram Madhvani — any director that I work with has told me, ‘Please direct [a film]’. But it’s surely not happening right now, as I am too tired from working so much. Touchwood, it’s great that I have work, but I need to take some time off to direct. It could be two to three years,” says the Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015) actor.

The Neerja (2016) star has spent more than a decade in the industry (she debuted with Saawariya in 2007), so does she feel she understands the business well enough? The actor says, “Since Raanjhanaa (2013), I have had a lot of acceptance from the audience and media, so everything has just become better. For me, it’s all about the intention, my integrity and working really hard, besides being humble and not taking anything for granted. It is really important to have your feet planted on the ground and always being grateful.”

Work-wise, after her recent release, Veere Di Wedding, Sonam has a packed schedule ahead of her. Her diary so far includes Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, The Zoya Factor and Battle for Bittora. “I’m also reading a lot of scripts since I have dates for another film around the end of this year, so I am looking for that movie. From now on, I will do two films a year, as more than that will be a bit too much [to handle],” she says.

Be it Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Aanand L Rai, R Balki or Ram Madhvani — any director that I work with has told me, ‘Please direct [a film]’. SONAM K AHUJA, ACTOR

PHOTO: ISHAAN NAIR