Sonam Kapoor

[dormeg]

I know nothing about this girl other than the fact that she's Anil Kapoor's daughter and she got picked for one heck of a debut movie. I'm assuming much fuss will be made about her after this movie releases, so I figured a thread dedicated to her is warranted. Does anyone have anything else to say about her? The one thing that I'm dying to know is if she plays the guitar (reference here). 

[Poonam]

Well, I was just reading about her yesterday in Cine Blitz - an article on the new star kids - which said that once, during the making of Saawariya, SLB ticked her off and she retired to her caravan to sulk until her parent/s had to drive down and talk her out of her mood!

[filmcrazy]

She looks gorgeous atleast on the magazine cover. She has a unique look and she reminds me of Zeenat with the hoops and the guitar here. More importantly, I hope she delivers. Usually when a debutant starts off with the best, they have a hard time coping with all the attention and it is likely that their careers may never soar. She is starting off with SLB and you can't ask for someone better!! She doesn't look like a model, but she has a special star quality though - great presence and class, which I find is missing in many newcomers these days. I am sick of the conventional model look.

[surilla]

TO SEE:
Part I
Part II
Part III

A star in the making, she’s one of the most talked about newcomers in Bollywood. She’s all set to storm the screen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Saawariya. Her father is one of the most versatile actors in the film industry and there is reason to believe some of that has rubbed off on her. CNN-IBN Entertainment Editor Rajeev Masand chats with Sonam Kapoor.

Rajeev Masand: You were not always going to be an actress, were you? It was a happy accident?

Sonam Kapoor: A happy, most amazing accident. I hope it happens again and again. I always wanted to do something creative. According to my father and people who knew me really well, there was always an actor in me. Obviously Mr Bhansali saw that, and, here I am.

Rajeev Masand: I remember your dad saying you were a performer of a kid and he was just dreading the day you were going to announce, ‘I’m going to be an actress.’

Sonam Kapoor: I don’t know why he said that, because he always knew it. There was once a somber party happening at our house and I was this 12-year-old kid wearing a pink outfit and I came out, switched on the music and started dancing. So I think at that point my dad decided that she is an attention-seeking kid and she will become an actor.

Rajeev Masand: Did you grow up watching your dad’s movies?

Sonam Kapoor: Yes. Mr India is the best film a child can watch.

Rajeev Masand: I agree with you.

Sonam Kapoor: I have seen it 20 million times. Also Ram Lakhan, I love the jhatka-matkas. I love Madhuri Dixit. I love Tezaab too.

Rajeev Masand: Do you have a favourite performance?

Sonam Kapoor: Pukar, Eeshwar, Who Saat Din. I can’t choose, he’s different in everything. Like you said, he’s versatile.

Rajeev Masand: Did he sit you down and have a father-daughter chat when it was decided that ‘My daughter is going to be an actress’ ?

Sonam Kapoor: Yes he did. He calls me Giraffe. He said I want you know that what you’re doing is not all glamour; it’s a lot of hard work. It’s a combination of physical and mental labour. The reason why I’m letting you do it is because I know you’re capable but I want you to be aware of the hard work that goes into it.

Rajeev Masand: Your mother wasn’t too thrilled about it. Has she gotten used to it now?

Sonam Kapoor: Yes, she has gotten used to it. She wanted me to study, I’m still studying, go abroad, get married, get a nine to five job. She’s a banker’s daughter, studied economics. But that didn’t happen.

Rajeev Masand: You said you’re still studying.

Sonam Kapoor: Yes, I’m doing my BA through Bombay University correspondence in Political Science and Economics, what my mom wants me to do. Also, I love doing all that, I have studied History.

Rajeev Masand: Smart girl, you’re keeping both parents happy.

Sonam Kapoor: Yes. I have to, I have to live in that house.

Rajeev Masand: You have younger brother. Did he and your friends rag you when it was decided you were going to act?

Sonam Kapoor: My sister Riya makes most fun of me. She is a great mimic. When she heard about it, she said ‘Too good, you can do full chameli roles.’ She calls me Champa. So they were all like, ‘You’re going to be singing and dancing and crying and making an emotional mess of yourself’.

Rajeev Masand: When the movie finally comes out, apart from Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who’s reaction are you dreading?

Sonam Kapoor: My brother Harsh’s reaction. He’s very correct in what he says. He’s a 17-year-old boy so he doesn’t care about my feelings. You know how brothers are, they are just like, you know, whatever, you suck. Brothers never praise so if he praises me, it’ll be like maybe I did something right. I know my mother and father will like me because they are biased but I want my brother to like me. I hope he does.

Rajeev Masand: So fingers crossed for that one. Few people know that Saawariya is not your first brush with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. You assisted him on the sets of Black. Ranbir said that was a very calculated move on his part because he eventually wanted to work with Sanjay as an actor. Was it a similar move on your part?

Sonam Kapoor: If I wanted to act with him, I would not have gone as a 90-kilo girl. I would have done my eyebrows, not worn glasses and at least groomed myself a little bit before going. That was not my intention, I was too young and I wanted to go to university but it was destiny or fate I don’t know but I wanted to work with him.

Rajeev Masand: So which film of his made you want to work with him?

Sonam Kapoor: Devdas. I saw Khamoshi and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and I loved them. But when I saw Devdas I thought it was filmmaking at its best. Every time I see it, I see something different. It’s so beautifully adorned. I love anything beautiful. Firstly, the characters are flawed and to have them in such a fantastical way, it makes such great cinema and drama. The red, oh, I just love drama. I was like, ‘I just want to be with this man, somewhere, even in the vicinity.’ Rani (Mukherji) had come to see me in Singapore on holiday and she told me she was doing Black. She’s a great family friend and my favourite actor. So I told her I want to meet him and work with him. Then I came bag from Singapore and told my dad I want to work with him and asked him to make the call, be Anil Kapoor for once. So he did it and he was shocked that I wanted to work with him. So I assisted him and the first day I went to him, he told me, ‘You should be an actor.’

Rajeev Masand: You didn’t think so.

Sonam Kapoor: No. But I said if you think I should be an actor then yes. I think he’s the first person who saw me. All my friends are still shocked that I’m an actor. But he’s the one who truly sees me as I am.

Rajeev Masand: What kind of preparation did you put in once it was decided you were going to act in the film? Apparently you were not happy with the way you looked?

Sonam Kapoor: That’s a delicate way of putting it. Sir always said ‘You’re very beautiful, you look like an Ajanta painting, you’re fat and nice and sweet.’ But I realized I cannot be 90 kilos and face the camera because it’s not aesthetically nice for a heroine to be that fat. so I said I better lose weight if I’m doing his film, I owe him that much. So I lost the weight, did my eyebrows, took care of my skin. I took dance classes, diction classes, acting classes, everything. It was fun to learn all that, it wasn’t like going to school.

Rajeev Masand: When you found out that your co-star was going to be Ranbir, a childhood friend and a co-assistant from Black, was it comforting?

Sonam Kapoor: Yes because Ranbir is a childhood friend and one of my best friends. There’s a comfort level that’s always been there. So there was no competition. I know he’s going to be a huge star so maybe I can get some mileage out of that too. So if the movie does well and he’s going to be a huge star, maybe something will happen for me also.

Rajeev Masand: Was it strange sitting in those vanity vans, the same ones you used to knock on when as an assistant for the star to come out?

Sonam Kapoor: Yes, the first time I was in one, I was like, ‘Daddy, I have my own vanity van’, so it was quite cool. Firstly, I have never been on a set, the only van I have been on is my dad’s and that’s always outside my house. So it’s not a novelty. But having my own make-up van was so exciting and cool.

Rajeev Masand: Very few people know you are a bookish girl, aren’t you?

Sonam Kapoor: Yes, I like books a lot. When I was younger I finished Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Enid Blyton rather than playing with dolls or going out. My friends hate that about me. But I love reading and movies because you can be in another world. I’m a nerd.

Rajeev Masand: What are you reading right now?

Sonam Kapoor: Inside The Kingdom, it’s a book about Carmen Bin Laden, she’s Osama Bin Laden’s sister-in-law. It’s about how she got out of the Bin Laden clan and how 9/11 affected her life.

Rajeev Masand: At the other end of the other extreme you also love sports.

Sonam Kapoor: Yes, I love playing squash because of my dad, basketball because of my height and I’m good at it. I love exercising and working out.

Rajeev Masand: You used to play basketball with Ranbir.

Sonam Kapoor: Yes, I was the only girl playing at the club.

Rajeev Masand: So you are not the typical girlie girl. You don’t like pink or dolls. You don’t spend hours looking at yourself in the mirror, I’m told.

Sonam Kapoor: Well, yes, I don’t like looking into the mirror much but I like taking care of myself. I love shopping. I love clothes, shoes, bags and jewellery.

Rajeev Masand: So you are a high maintenance daughter.

Sonam Kapoor: Not really. I can buy a $15 dress but I can also beg my dad to buy a Chanel bag for me and he would think about it for three years and then maybe buy it for me. So I can be at both ends of the spectrum. It depends on my mood. I’m a girl but I also like doing things conventional girls may not like doing. But at this point I don’t think any girl is a typical girl.

Rajeev Masand: This is your first film and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You realize that whatever you do after this, this will be special.

Sonam Kapoor: Everyone asks me, what next, and I say, I have been taken care of till now, so after this will be the real test. Sir has taken care of everything and whatever I am now is because of Sanjay Leela Bhansali. It has nothing to do with me, he has guided me fully. So next time you interview me, if you want to, for my next movie and at that time if you ask me, maybe I would have put something of my own in that.

Rajeev Masand: All the best. Looking forward to doing that interview next time we meet hopefully happy riding on the success of Saawariya. Thank you for talking to us.

Sonam Kapoor: Thank you.

[Deewani_Aurat]

Is this the interview where she supposedly reshot the whole thing after she found a hair out of place in the shot?

[surilla]

Is this the interview where she supposedly reshot the whole thing after she found a hair out of place in the shot?

Maybe. 

Un-lock kiya jaaye!

Sonam got an entire TV interview reshot as she felt that a lock of hair on her face didn't look ‘perfect’. Is she following in the footsteps of mentor Sanjay Leela Bhansali?

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's perfectionism seems to have rubbed off on his protg Sonam. The 20-year-old debutante kicked up a fuss recently when she realised, while watching herself on a monitor screen after pack-up, that a strand of hair didn't look too good on her face.

Recently, Sonam was asked to do a promotional shoot for a TV channel. Despite poor health, she shot for an entire day. After pack-up, she was going through the rushes on a monitor screen, when a strand of hair on her face (on the screen) caught her attention.

A source present on the sets says, “We were shooting for interviews with Sonam right throughout the day at our studio. Unfortunately, she was very unwell and the shoot extended till midnight. After she finished the last interview, which was around one hour long, she casually came to see the rushes on the monitor.”

Well, Sonam did not like the way a lock of hair fell on her face, and summoned the entire team to re-shoot the interview. Our source says, “Everyone on the sets thought she was joking when she announced that she wanted the interview re-shot. However, Sonam pointed out that right from the time the interview started there was a strand of hair which did not look perfect. She also said that if 'Sanjay sir' had been present on the sets, he would have had made sure that it was re-shot.”

The team gave in to the starry debutante's demand. “The crew members had no option and went ahead to shoot the one-hour long interview,” our source says.

http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?page=article&sectid=30&contentid=200710052007100502144468766c3f648

[Simran_Singh]

Sonam and Ranbir embarrassed to be labelled
 
By IndiaFM News Bureau, October 8, 2007 - 11:58 IST
 
A story in a tabloid that Sonam Kapoor threw a royal tantrum on the sets of one of her promotional television programmes has the young debutante as embarrassed as another story declaring Ranbir to be a gay icon.

Says Sonam, "Yes, it's true that I re-shot one portion of one of my promotional programmes on Channel V. But please, there was no starry tantrum. I was very apologetic." Sonam further explains, "I've been tutored in the Sanjay Bhansali school of filmmaking. Over there, we were taught to strive for the best, no matter what the medium. For me a tv show isn't a chalta hai occasion. So after shooting the whole day if I re-shot for fifteen minutes does that make me a tantrum thrower?"

Ranbir Kapoor is even more embarrassed at being called a gay icon by the same tabloid. "I'm just starting out. My first film isn't released. I'm in no position to be called any kind of icon. Once I prove myself I'd be happy to be loved by any community of people."

Could someone please explain what the expression 'chalta hai' means?

Poor kid sounds a bit neurotic when it comes to her appearance - all that talk about the weight she felt she had to loose and grooming her eyebrows, etc.

[filmcrazy]

Puh-leese!  I am sure all the top stars demand a re-shoot if they don't look good. Whats the big deal?? Established stars will automatically be deemed perfectionists, but she is being labeled a tantrum-thrower?? Probably 'cause she still hasn't got a single release. I am sure she is 100 times less neurotic than Hrithik Roshan.

'Chalta hai' is like 'whatever'...having a lackadaisical attitude.

[Rohinik]

Probably 'cause she still hasn't got a single release. I am sure she is 100 times less neurotic than Hrithik Roshan.

He is known to be one of the most cynical and self-deprecating (read: paranoid) about looks and giving a perfect shot in real life, according to himself and wife Suzanne. Hard to believe that the easy going avatar he portrays in movies is so unlike him in reality.

I'm glad that Sonam has her own thread and will be following her closely. I like her personality (from what I've seen) and she's just got a gracefulness about her, that I absolutely adore.

[theboldandthebolly]

I like this girl. I am really looking forward to seeing her in this upcoming movie. She has a very classy look about her, especially for being so young. When I look at her, she reminds of some of the BW actresses from the 60's and 70's.

[Rohinik]

I like this girl. I am really looking forward to seeing her in this upcoming movie. She has a very classy look about her, especially for being so young. When I look at her, she reminds of some of the BW actresses from the 60's and 70's.

You're so right. I'm so excited about the three new launches (Sonam, Deepika & Ranbir) coming up. I think they're going to go far and give the industry a boost it needs.

[hello]

She has that sweetness about her face thats not potentially glamerous but has that grace and elegance that is rae in actresses today and shes got that complexion.

[surilla]

FYI, Sonam's got a fansite -> http://www.sonam-kapoor.net/forums/

[Rohinik]

I read a news tidbit on Indiatimes that Sonam's now getting jealous hatemail from fans because she's always photographed with Ranbir, cozy on his arm. No clue if it is true or not, but I take that with a grain of salt.

By the way, I wondered about the ending of the film and I see these two promoting the movie almost hand in hand- so does that mean we should hope for a sweet ending? There's no sense in them looking so cozy together and have a sad ending with Ranbir not getting the girl.

[Rohinik]

New Interview! The more I read about her, I like her even more.

'I’m grateful that Ranbir is my first co-star'
Sonam Kapoor is caught before take-off by Roshmila Bhattacharya

Already, there have been knee-jerk comparisons with Madhubala and Sadhana. But hang on..she has a certain individuality.. she’s a new millennium girl who knows her heart and mind.

Parents Anil and Sunita Kapoor were hesitant to let her skip off to the studio world where angels fear to tread. But she was resolute.Well read and well-mannered, she’s the girl from the Juhu- Vile Parle Scheme who was tipped to go places.

Ranbir Kapoor says that he loves Ranvir Raj, his Saawariya character, because he’s so much like him. How close do you feel to your character?
Oh no, Sakina is nothing like me and that’s why I love her. I became an actress, so I could play someone who’s not like me at all. I’m a true Gemini.

You’re being compared to the yesteryear heroines..as well as Rekha and Aishwarya Rai.
Noooo. Really? I haven’t heard about such comparisons at all. It’s scary!

So what have you heard?
Well, there have been the responses to the promos. My friends and family love the way Ranbir dances. They rave about how Mr Bhansali has made everything look so beautiful. They’re going ballistic over the songs and yes, Salman Khan. ( Laughs ) I zone out when they start discussing me.

What kind of a world is it where you have both gondolas and autorickshaws? Neverland?
Yes, Neverland. Saawariya is like a fairy tale.

Okay, so did Sanjay Leela Bhansali ever lose his temper at you.. or is that like asking if there is water in the Ganges?
( Laughs ) Come on..well.. he did lose his temper on occasion. Whenever I didn’t want him to get mad at me, the tears would just flow. Seeing me cry would upset him so much that he would call me his Sona bacha and suggest that I should take a break and eat something.( Chuckling) He knows food always makes me happy.

But you couldn’t have lost 30 kilos for the role by indulging in comfort food.
I’m not off food, only the fried stuff and sweets. Salt and sugar are silent killers. I’ve cut out chocolates, ice cream and rice from my diet, but not regular khaana. When you’re young, losing weight is easy. Actually, it’s easy if you eat healthy and work out daily. Also, it’s important to take a blood test to ensure that the extra kilos you’re carrying around are not because of hormonal imbalance or diabetes.

You’re sounding like a dietician.
I get that from mom.. and dad, of course. They’re fitness fanatics.

There was some buzz that Sanjay Bhansali was pretty upset with Ranbir and you for getting too lovey-dovey on the sets.
I think Mr Bhansali would have been really happy if we had become lovey-dovey. Sorry, but nothing like that happened. Ranbir is a buddy, my best friend. I’ve literally grown up with him. Nothing more. I do get mad at him for being a major introvert. It’s a job to get him to come over for dinner. I’ve to badger him for five days with calls..and then he says, “Maybe...we’ll see.”

He’s been getting several threatening calls from his fans because he’s so protective of you.
He’s always been like that. ( Laughs )But his fans needn’t worry about me. Ranbir is available.

Your dad, Anil Kapoor, seems more nervous than you as D-day nears.. November 9?
He is. He calls me up five times in a day.

That’s sweet!
The more nervous he gets, the calmer I become.

Apparently even your mother has been tearing her hair.
Nope, she’s cooler than a cucumber. She believes in destiny.. the Gita . According to her, there’s a reason for everything. I’ve never given my parents any stress. I’ve been this boringly obedient little girl. My sister rags me for being our parents’ chamchi.

Didn’t you want to enter the Miss India contest at one point of time?
Who told you that?

So it’s true?
Well, maybe once upon a time.. when Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai were crowned Miss Universe and Miss World. I must have been barely 11 or 12. Lara  Dutta and Priyanka Chopra went on to win also, it was awesome! I guess it was a childish fantasy to become Miss India..then Miss World.

You started as an assistant to Mr Bhansali.Why did you quit assisting him halfway through Black ?
I completed Black . It was such a special film.

Isn’t your sister also planning to act?
You’ll have to ask her that.. but I know that my brother, Harsh ,will be a star. He’s dad’s chief advisor.

Your favourite Anil Kapoor film?
There are three actually Mr India , Lamhe and Virasat. I must have seen Mr India five million times. Every time I’d get upset because I couldn’t enter the TV set and join the other kids.. or get Calendar to cook for me.

A Rishi Kapoor-Neetu Singh film?
Amar Akbar Anthony, it’s the best commercial film ever made.

How do you view the competition from Om Shanti Om and Deepika Padukone?
Remember Gadar and Lagaan released on the same day too. It’s good to be spoilt for choice. And I don’t think of Deepika as a competitor at all. She’s so stunning.. as a model she’s learnt the ropes. She’s way ahead.

Tell me honestly, wouldn’t you have wanted to romance six-pack Shah Rukh Khan in your first film?
Honestly, I’m grateful that Ranbir is my first co-star because I could be myself with him.( Smiles ) Okay, so maybe I don’t have Shah Rukh but I do have Salman Khan.

If not an actress, what?
A writer. Maybe I could have angled for your job.

Link to article
*******************************
I agree with Bhansali that this should come true- them being lovey dovey.

[Rohinik]

Another interview from Indiafm:

"I would love to be the next Juhi Chawla" - Sonam Kapoor
By Devansh Patel, October 25, 2007 - 12:50 IST

She's made a dynamic leap from an assistant director to Bollywood's newest discovery - but for Sonam Kapoor, the sudden rise to fame and fortune hasn't come without a price. Right from her childhood, she was totally unaware of how the Indian Film Industry functions. Bollywood wasn't her cup of tea, she never attended parties with father Anil Kapoor and now her link up's with Ranbir are doing the rounds. Whatever it is, one thing is certain, this exquisitely beautiful Kapoor girl has learnt quite quickly how to deal with the intense interest surrounding her. Devansh Patel speaks to the fresh face that's about to blossom with her debut release Saawariya come November 9.

The countdown of this year's most awaited film and the most awaited debutants have begun. How are you feeling at this present moment?
I am feeling a riot of emotions. I'm excited, anxious, nervous, happy... too many things yaar! Don’t ask me. It's chaos in my system right now.

Tell us something about your weightless journey from Black to Saawariya.
Well, first of all...it was a weight loss journey (laughs). From Black to Saawariya, it has been a giant leap for me. It was a constant high and we all were like sitting on the edge. We were constantly working on ourselves and improving. You have geniuses like Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Omung Kumar, Ravi Chandran, Anuradha Vakil, etc working on you along with a brilliant co-star Ranbir Kapoor acting and improvising with you. So it's been my most amazing learning experience ever.

Your father Anil Kapoor has made his own standing in the Indian Film Industry and is still going strong. Where do you think will Saawariya take you?
You are right. I got Saawariya because I am Anil Kapoor's daughter and that's how I got introduced to Sanjay Leela Bhansali or you wouldn't have noticed me. Mr Bhansali has taken care of everything, right from the strand of my hair to the nail of my toe. For anything that I am in Saawariya is because of Sanjay Leela Bhansali. So whatever happens after Saawariya will hopefully be a little of something that I will put in. As of now I am here because of my father and my director.

Does that mean that you never intended to join films and only because Sanjay Leela Bhansali told you that you look beautiful, you happily agreed?
Yes and that's a fact. I never wanted to join films but because my father introduced me to Mr Bhansali, I happened to assist him on Black. And during the making of Black, Sanjay Leela Bhansali told me that I look very beautiful and should act in films. That's when he came up to me and told me to shed a lot of weight only to be his heroine in Saawariya, the script of a lifetime.

Then how was it to be working with a tough task-master like Mr Bhansali?
I've worked with him for four years and he is not a hard task-master all the time. He is very colourful and an amazing human being and likes to push me and himself harder because he wants me to be the best and treats me like his daughter. For that, I will be so ever grateful to him. Nobody can love me and support me as much as he does. He is like my Guru - my teacher.

The media in London have said that Ranbir is the next Aamir Khan in the making and Saawariya is the next Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. Does that make you the next Juhi Chawla?
I would love to be the next Juhi Chawla, she has got the most amazing comic timing. She was also Miss India. I don't think that I will be able to achieve and reach where she is right now but if people are saying that, it's great.

Describe your role and the character you play in Saawariya.
The character I play in Saawariya is called Sakina. She is what love is. Sakina is innocence and love personified. If anybody needs to learn how to love then they should learn to love like Sakina does. She is so selfless and so sure about her love with no questions asked. I am very privileged to get a character with so many layers in my first film.

You are lucky to be sharing screen space with both, Rani Mukerji and Salman Khan. How was your association with two of Bollywood's finest talents?
I think Rani Mukherjee is soon going to be a legend. She is one of the very few spontaneous actresses and above all a very good human being. I've learnt a lot from her. She respects everybody and treats the entire crew equally. She is very self confident and she is a 'phataka'. I love her to death and she is my favourite actor. Salman Khan is a cool dude and a 'hot man'. He is the most good looking and sexiest human being ever.

Is that a romantic Sonam Kapoor talking?
Right now I am only talking about my work and I don't think that you will ever find my link-up's with anyone.

Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh's on screen romance turned out to be an off screen marriage. Do you find yourself hooked up with Ranbir Kapoor in the near future?
As I said that I will only be talking about my work for the moment. Right now I am in love with someone and that someone is my work and my film Saawariya.

My favourite track from the film is 'Yoon Shabnami' and Ranbir's is 'Pari'. Which song is your favourite?
I like all the songs but I can short list them into 'Yoon Shabnami', 'Jab Se Tere Naina' and 'Thode Badmaash'. If I am in a festive mood then I will listen to 'Yoon Shabnami', if I am in a love-struck mood then I listen to 'Thode Badmaash'.

You never wanted to become an actress and on top of that, you were never trained. Then, how did you face the camera?
Well, it's a good thing that I was never trained because everything I have done in Saawariya is from my heart and has nothing to do with training. But I was only trained for one year by Mr Bhansali and a few others. I've worked behind the camera as well and have seen how actors and actresses work. So it wasn't difficult. I also think that I might be having some qualities of my father in me. We'll wait and watch.

Which of your father's films would you prefer to watch again and again?
There are many but I would love to watch Mr India, Viraasat, Woh Saat Din and Tezaab in order of preference.

Any memorable experience while working with Ranbir Kapoor?
Ranbir is one of my best friends. I was so happy to know that we both were in the same film. I could be myself with him. Ranbir is very energetic and on the other hand very comfortable to work with and thus the comfort level gets translated onscreen which you will see.

You were born and brought up in a family associated with films. Did you ever attend parties with your family?
No. My dad never used to take me to parties and I never got a chance to interact with the current stars like Hrithik, Abhishek, Esha, Tusshar, etc as they are all much older than me except for Ranbir.

Is your mother happy with whatever you are doing?
Yes, if I am happy then she is happy. She is even happier if I am studying.

If you were to choose between acting and directing in your near future, which one would you go for?
Definitely acting. That's my passion now.

Does that mean you won't assist any director?
Right now, I am concentrating on my acting. I may become an assistant director on one or two films more, hopefully with Mr Sanjay Leela Bhansali or any other director.

Don't you think the competition of Saawariya and Om Shanti Om is becoming more like a thriller in our films?
I think all of this is media created. Gadar and Lagaan released on the same day. Lagaan went to the Oscars and Gadar went on to break all box office records. It depends on how you take it. There will always be talks about two big releases but it's an individual opinion as to which film will thrill more.

In the promos we see you wearing very traditional white and black outfits. Off screen, what are you most comfortable wearing?
I am a very moody person as far as my dressing is concerned and will wear anything what makes me feel good.

Any plans of coming to London for Saawariya's promotion?
Yeah! I really want to visit London. It depends on what our work schedule is, but hopefully we are coming there.

What is your take on director's making films specifically for the overseas audiences?
I don't know about any other director but Sanjay Leela Bhansali makes a universal film and Saawariya will appeal to one and all whether they are in India, London or the U.S.

We would like to end this interview with a special Diwali message.
A very very Happy Diwali to everybody. Go watch Saawariya, buy lots of new clothes, eat lots of sweets and be good to your family and friends. And burst less fire-crackers as they are not good

Link to article

[idli_lover]

Sonam’s next with Abhishek (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India_Buzz/Sonams_next_with_Abhishek/articleshow/2522382.cms)
7 Nov 2007, 0000 hrs IST,Aakanksha Naval Shetye

She may not even be a movie old, but that hasn’t stopped filmmakers from queuing up to sign her. And why not? If you are as talented and beautiful as Anil Kapoor’s daughter Sonam and are being launched by director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, it’s only natural that you have Bollyland’s denizens knocking at your doorstep. Not surprisingly, there has been a lot of speculation regarding Sonam’s second film as well.

However, the promising newcomer – who’s known to be quite choosy in her films already — has put all speculation to rest just a week before her debut film Saawariya’s release. Sonam, who had restrained herself from signing her next film, has finally fixed her next screen outing in Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra’s much-talked about Delhi 6 opposite Abhishek Bachchan.

Incidentally, while the casting of the male lead took Mehra quite a while and there was much speculation, the director of Rang De Basanti fame was quite clear about the choice of his female lead.

So, while Abhsihek was the original choice for the film, due to initial date problems, the film allegedly went to Hrithik Roshan and then to Siddharth who was rumoured to be considered for the role.

However, Sonam is the only girl who was approached or considered for the role. Confirming this, a visibly proud dad Anil Kapoor said, “I am delighted as a father, though I have no role to play in this as such. But as an actor I should be jealous (laughs). Her first film is with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and the next is with Rakeysh Mehra. What more an actor can possibly want? These are directors have made films like Devdas and Rang De Basanti. I am very happy for her.

[Rohinik]

I just read on rediff that she loves Abhishek as an actor, so she must be ecstatic. I'll wait to see her acting skills but I think I'll be pleasantly surprised.

[Deewani_Aurat]

Wow can't believe she went from 90 kg to like 55kg...I couldn't imagine her as someone bigger then she is now.

[rnitya_25]

^ Likewise. I was surprised when she admitted to the world in the making that she used to be 86kilos and SLB talked about not noticing her wieght reduction. She looks very nice nevertheless.

[Dil Bert]

I was charmed by her in Saawariya.  She reminds me of Juhi in that she's cute (but not a bongshell  ), a good actress, able to handle comedy, etc.  I'd rather see her in a film than Deepika, though she also made a good debut.

[Deewani_Aurat]

I was charmed by her in Saawariya.  She reminds me of Juhi in that she's cute (but not a bongshell  ), a good actress, able to handle comedy, etc.  I'd rather see her in a film than Deepika, though she also made a good debut.

I think shes more charming and girl next door like Juhi so i think thats a good comparison to make.  Deepika you would more put next to Priyanka or other models who actually posess some acting ability - if they are dolled down they could play more average characters, but essentially they are glamour girls.

I would love to see Sonam in an out and out comedy before i assess her comedic timing, but for the little comedy there was in Saawariya i think she possessed the potential comic timing.  Is it wrong that i found Zohra Seghal had the best comic timing in the movie 

[Dil Bert]

In Saawariya, it looked like she had a faint scar/crease down her right(?) cheek.  Did anyone else see this?

[NewLaura]

In Saawariya, it looked like she had a faint scar/crease down her right(?) cheek.  Did anyone else see this?

Yeah, I noticed that line a couple of times.  It was on her right cheek.  At one point, I thought it might be a crease in her pancake make-up, but I don't know.  You couldn't always see it, even when there were clear close-ups.  So either it was from make-up, or it's a real scar/line and sometimes the make-up was failing to cover it.

[hello]

Shes beatiful in saawriya i was completely mesmerised by her beaty ok she didnt do better then Ranbir cause her charecter was more compex where RAnbirs was more easy to relate too but mashallah was a stunner she was in the Mashallah song.