Though trained as a fashion designer, Sonakshi Sinha decided to give acting a try after family friend Salman Khan told her that she has in it to become an actress. Almost a decade later, Sonakshi Sinha is one of the leading actresses in the Hindi film industry and unlike her earlier days, when she was criticised for doing only a certain kind of cinema, today she is experimenting with different kind of roles and films.
‘Khandaani Shafakhana’ is the newest addition to that list of comedy films you have done in your career.
Yes, I love doing comedy films. What a lot of people do not realise is that comedy is not funny business. It is not easy to make people laugh. I don’t mean to praise myself but I think I have a good sense of humour and my comic timing is not bad either (laughs). I like to make people laugh. I like to laugh myself and be in a happy space. So, I guess that is why I love this genre so much.
The film deals with a taboo topic. What was your first reaction when it was offered to you?
When I heard the one-liner, I was a little apprehensive. I wondered why they were approaching me with a subject like this as I only do family films. But, when I read the complete script, I wanted to do the film immediately. I thought it had the right amount of entertainment, humour and information. The film also talks about gender equality in a subtle way. I am very proud of doing a film like this.
You have studied fashion design and had also designed the costumes for your home production ‘Mera Dil Leke Dekho’ much before you became an actress. Would you like to explore that part of yourself again?
Fashion is such an integral part of my profession that I never really felt that I was away from it. Fortunately or unfortunately, an actor is expected to look good and dress impeccably at all times. I am very much connected to the world of fashion but to become a designer again or have a label of my own would consume a lot of time. I do not think this is something I can do right now.
You have worked with quite a few first-time directors. What does it take for a new director to convince you to do their film?
I think when you spend a lot of time with them, you will realise how passionate they are about telling a particular story. Shilpi (Das Gupta, director Khaandani Shafakhana) is a little shy, so it took a while for us to connect but once we did, I realised she was extremely focussed and was clear about the kind of story she was trying to tell. I had a great time working with her and would love to work with her in her second film as well.
You shot with a real crowd during a couple of sequences for the film. What was that experience like?
It was a bizarre but a memorable experience. Imagine me sitting on a cycle rickshaw and shouting ‘erectile dysfunction’ and distributing pamphlets. A lot of them were a little shocked to see what was happening in that scene.
You have spent almost a decade in the industry. Is there a film you regret being a part of?
No, I might have not liked a film of mine when I saw it but there is no film which I regret doing. I think anything which teaches you something is good.
When one sees your filmography, there are films like ‘Dabangg’, ‘Rowdy Rathore’, ‘Son Of Sardaar’ at one end and films like ‘Noor’, ‘Ittefaq’ and ‘Khandaani Shafakhana’ at the other end. Is there some kind of a balance you wish to strike as an actress?
I think every actor wants to do different kind of films. There has been no conscious decision to strike a balance but I do feel that I have been lucky to get the opportunity to be a part of such diverse films.
You have never done a film with your father, Shatrughan Sinha.
Yes, that is quite strange. I feel we should have done at least one film by now. For us to come together in a film, we would need a really good subject. It does not have to be a father-daughter story but it should be interesting.
