‘MY LIFE IS VERY BALANCED NOW’

Actor Sonam Kapoor says she’s “very positive” about everything in her life right now; adds direction is on her mind and that she is looking for ‘suitable scripts’ for the same

She made her debut with Saawariya in 2007. Ever since, Sonam Kapoor has worked in a variety of films. But now, the actor admits that she wants to do only those movies that have the “right intentions”. As she readies for the release of Pad Man, Sonam talks about career graph, life and wedding rumours etc.

You have been part of Bollywood for a decade now. So, when a new film (such as Pad Man) releases, do you still feel nervous?

It’s not that. Whichever film I have done since Raanjhanaa (2013), they have always had the right intentions. They are far-reaching, entertaining and effective too. When such a film is made, it’s a reward in itself. I think it’s important to make films that reach the audience. So, while they have to be successful, they also ought to say something. I need to feel proud of the work I am doing and that has always been the case with me.

So, Pad Man is very relevant…

Absolutely! Only 12% of women in India use sanitary napkins and it means that there is no awareness among 88% women in our country. So, they use dirty clothes, ash and dried leaves etc., which could cause infections and diseases. In fact, studies show that not having proper menstrual hygiene can cause cervical cancer. These are very scary facts. So, a film made on such a topic is already successful and relevant. It’s something that we want to speak about and it has been made with the right intentions.

You have completed exactly a decade in the industry, how do you see your evolution?

My intent has always been to grow, evolve and be better. Hopefully, if someone sees me from outside, they see a steady growth. I hope that never stops. I hope I never feel that there is nothing left to learn. I want to be in a position where I feel that I can be a better human being as well as a better artiste. That way, I can have more faith [in myself] with all the positivity.

Can we call the current phase of your life the happiest then?

It is very exciting for sure as I never ever expected it to be like this. My life is very balanced and that is the most important thing. I am very positive about everything that’s happening. I am not in a negative space at all. I don’t think I ever was, but even if there was a little bit of negativity, it’s completely gone. I only care about what I am doing and not anyone else. I am only focused on how I can grow and be better; and that’s a very good place to be in.

You worked with Akshay in Thank You (2011), and now you will be seen together in Pad Man. How has your equation evolved with him?

Akshay has changed drastically [as an artiste], but he is the same as a person. During Thank You, I remember, it was Tina’s (Twinkle Khanna; Akshay’s wife) birthday and he was wondering what to gift her, so I helped him with that. Tina loves fashion, jewellery and books as much as I do. We have very similar likings and habits. I feel what hasn’t changed is that Akshay is still very obsessed with his wife (smiles). Also, I respect him a lot because of the kind of work he is doing. He can do a Thank You and he can do a Pad Man, but I can only do the latter.

You have hardly done masala commercial potboilers…

My dad (Anil Kapoor) enjoys such films and Arjun (Kapoor; cousin) is really good in them. But that’s not something that I can do. I don’t relate to it. I enjoy watching it but I am not comfortable in that setting. It is a very male dominated setting; and I haven’t been brought up like that.

After Neerja (2016), there has been a sort of lull in your career…

There’s nothing like that. I have done four films in two years. When you are doing an important film such as Pad Man, it takes time. And when I am not working, then I like to travel. I feel it is important to get a world view, meet different people and understand things. If you are stuck in the same rut in Mumbai, meeting the same people, going to the same parties and getting clicked by the same photographers and having same conversations, it retards you as a person and stunts your growth as a person. It is scary so, you need to understand what is going on everywhere else. You need to see films that are being made and books that are being written. That way, you keep growing, evolving and changing. It enriches you as an artiste and a person. Your growth is exponential then.

Of late, rumours have been rife about your wedding with businessman Anand Ahuja…

Unfortunately, I do not talk about my personal life. I have never commented on that and will not do now. Speculations are rife but that is okay. I won’t ever discuss it.

I do not talk about my personal life. I have never commented on that and won’t do now. SONAM KAPOOR, ACTOR

PHOTO: VAISHNAV & APEKSHA