“With success comes responsibility”

Sonu tells S. Ramachandran that he wants to make his late parents proud

Sonu Sood is a far cry from the common perception about Bollywood actors. The pandemic has brought his philanthropy to the fore, winning him the appreciation of the common man. The latest tribute to the actor’s many interventions to help the needy comes from Narayan K. Vyas – a man who has set himself the goal of cycling 2000 km. Vyas has dedicated the ride to Sood.

“I am overwhelmed by the kind of love that I have been receiving. I feel I am truly blessed. I am honoured and humbled by Narayan Vyas’ gesture,” says the actor. “The love and the respect that people are showering on me are what keep me going,” he adds.

Sonu also has a temple in his name at Dubba Tanda village of Siddipet district of Telangana.

Sonu lost his teacher-mother and entrepreneur-father 14 and five years ago respectively. “I started doing what I have been doing only because I wanted to make my parents proud and I wanted to follow their advice, because they have been my role models,” he says. “On this journey, the kind of admiration that

I have received is unparalleled and beyond imagination. If I can inspire others to do their bit in extending a helping hand to those in need, that will make me the happiest.” Sonu however disagrees with the popular view that other Bollywood stars are not doing enough for society. “I would not like to believe that,” he says. “So many of our actors are working towards making the world a better place. Some of them are dedicated to helping patients who cannot afford treatment and medication; and then there are some who have voiced their concerns about the atrocities being committed on Mother Nature and are working towards improving the planet. These are just a couple of examples. With success comes responsibility and most of us understand that and hence, we are helping those who are in need.” Sonu agrees that more people are now coming forward to help others. “Seeing so many Good Samaritans around makes me extremely happy. Together, we can pull many people out of their misery,” he says. He started his career in Hindi playing Bhagat Singh in Shaheed E Azam. And went on to do villain roles. “There was no reason or formula that I was following. I come from Moga in Punjab and I did not know anyone here in Mumbai. God has been really kind and I was blessed with offers. I took up interesting films and characters that came my way. Soon, I began enjoying playing the antagonist. I enjoy my job because it gives me the chance to be different characters. Some of those films became huge hits and people started liking me in those roles,” he explains.

But will people still like to see him as a villain in movies after he has become a hero in real life? “Well, only the audience can answer that question,” he laughs. “I do not think I will consciously look for roles where I am the good guy. I will take up any part that challenges me and helps me explore different sides to myself,” he says. “I believe receiving the title of ‘hero’ is a big compliment and I hope I do not let them down through my personal or professional choices,”

Sonu adds.

The actor is now playing the lead in Kisaan, directed by Nivas. “I have Prithviraj with Akshay Kumar. It is a historical film where I play Chand Bardai, a very interesting and powerful character. He was the court poet of Prithviraj Chauhan and helped the king,” says Sonu.

So many of our actors are working towards making the world a better place. Some of them are dedicated to helping patients who cannot afford treatment and medication; and then there are some who have voiced their concerns about the atrocities being committed on Mother Nature and are working towards improving the planet. These are just a couple of examples. With success comes responsibility and most of us understand that and hence, we are helping those who are in need.”