Sonam Kapoor has received a lot of flak ever since she started off. But there's no way all that could put her down. Now that Neerja has released and received glowing reviews, Sonam Kapoor hits out the way she does best...
There's one thing Sonam Kapoor has ceremoniously believed in doing. Being unabashedly honest and upright. From her interviews to her regular talks, Sonam speaks her heart out. Now that she has portrayed braveheart Neerja Bhanot in her upcoming next, Sonam's a lot more restrained and calm. She gushes, "This film has changed my world upside down." There's only one motto on her mind right now. To give Neerja the dignity she deserves. Over a cup of coffee, we corner Sonam Kapoor as she talks about the meaning of courage, bravado in her life and of course, Neerja!
Audiences feel that Ranjhanaa has been your strongest performance till date. You think Neerja will top that?
I hope that with every film of mine. Who wouldn't? if anyone says they don't want something like that to happen with every film of theirs, they are definitely lying. But every time I do something, people say Oh this is the changing point in your career. People have a very short memory and they forget that I am the same girl who had taken up Delhi-6 as her second film and also did Raanjhanaa at a time when no one was willing to risk it. But with every film, you need to evolve and get better. I don't know what Neerja is going to do but I am definitely a changed person after doing Neerja. With artistic endeavour, you need to grow personally as well as professionally.
Are you happy Neerja is releasing at a time when these films are gaining prominence at the box office?
I think I am happy because the content of this film is relevant to this time. It's not the usual content-driven film. This one has issues like hijacking, terrorism, religious conflicts which are global issues in today's times. I want this film to do well, not because of records but the numbers will show that people have actually gone to watch this film because they should.
What according to you is more difficult to make - a big budget film like PRDP or a small but content-driven Neerja?
I would never do a film for box office. Even when I am doing films like a Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, which I know will blast all box office records, I do it because the role is amazing. There are very few roles for women in a Salman Khan where you are there in almost every frame of the film. I don't think about box office, otherwise my choices would have been really different. Coming to your question, every film has its own challenges. I don't think you can take away from anything. I think every film requires effort and honesty and that's how people connect to it. But making a film like Neerja isn't a risk anymore.
Neerja's story is inspirational and aspirational at the same time. It's about her bravado. What is the bravest thing you have done?
You know I feel today our lives are very cluttered and we are all trying to be someone else who people would want us to be. And especially in our industry, it happens quite a lot. So for me, the bravest thing I have done is maybe being myself and not losing on own identity and my individuality.
But recently, there were reports that your New Year resolution is to not say everything that comes to your mind. Is that true?
No, that's not true at all. It's again gone all misconstrued. I can never be someone who I myself don't believe in being. I just said that my New Year Resolution is to not comment on anything that's not relevant or is ridiculous. I don't want to comment on any human being for superficial reasons. if there's something pertaining to a socialist issue or a cultural issue or an artistic issue, then I will obviously give my opinion. But if it's something like who do you think is better- X actress or Y actress- I won't answer them because to me, that's baseless. It will not make an impact on this world.
Bollywood is a world of make belief where everyone is trying to be politically correct. When you speak up, do you think the hidden insecurities of people crop up?
No, I don't think that's true. People like me for who I am. At the same time, people don't realise one thing. Me being honest, straight forward, talking about relevant issues and giving an opinion on it is a good thing because a lot of people create an image and they are actually not like that in real life. I think that's really harmful for their fans because it gets to a point where subconsciously they see the choices they make in their life and the way they answer questions about certain things. The fans then start leading life the way. Like for example, if you don't give your opinion on a certain cultural, social, political thing that's happening in India or in the world right now and rather choose to take a diplomatic stand, then the normal people who idolise you will follow that. That's what is happening in India right now where people are so scared to give an opinion and are scared to stand up for what they believe is right because the people who actually have the platform to do that are not doing it because they want to sit on the fence. That's really wrong because so many young people look up to you. So as a celebrity and an icon, you need to show some responsibility.
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 "Sonam Kapoor as Neerja Bhanot")
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