SONAM: DAD A GOOD EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW

Actor Sonam Kapoor, who turns 10 in Bollywood, is “excited” about working with Anil Kapoor for the first time

It has been 10 years since Sonam Kapoor faced the arc lights for the first time with Ranbir Kapoor in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Saawariya. She is “grateful and gracious” about whatever she has been bestowed with. Here’s a chat with the 32-year-old.

You are set to work with your father, Anil Kapoor in Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga. Excited?

Till the time we don’t go on the set and start working together, you never know what can happen in between (smiles). But I am definitely excited.. After all, he is my favourite actor. I’m also kicked about a role that would challenge me.

You recently praised your dad on Twitter. Has he always been an inspiring person?

I’ve always wanted to be [like] my dad. In terms of the kind of work dad does, the person he is and the way he lives his life personally, it’s very inspiring and a really good example to follow. Not just my favourite actor, he is my favourite person, too. It’s good to have such a person at home.

You have never gone about your career in an archetypal manner…

I always knew that I don’t want to follow the set norms that I have to do one film with certain director, so that the films can make Rs 200 or 400 crore. You have to work in films that also inspire you. I took a year-and-a-half off before Raanjhanaa and even said no to a couple of so-called big films because I wanted to do films that will help me enjoy doing my job.

Many feel that your career path changed after Raanjhanaa (2013). Do you feel it’s true?

Absolutely! It is also [true] because I changed [with that film]. I had a great experience while working on Delhi-6 but I wasn’t able to capture that experience again in any film... I realised it was because of the people that I worked with. You must be happy with your [film] choices as well as the directors and actors.

You recently hit out at a ‘blind item’ (about alleged issues between cast members of Veere Di Wedding) on social media...

I know exactly who wrote that piece. She is a troublemaker, which I didn’t realise earlier. It is sad that a woman is trying to drag another woman down. We need to stick together and uplift one another. That’s the only way we can change the way the society looks at women. I wasn’t even angry but it made me sad. It was just so disappointing.

I’ve always wanted to be [like] my dad. In terms of the kind of work dad does, the person he is and the way he lives his life personally, it’s very inspiring SONAM KAPOOR, ACTOR