In her nine-year-old career, Sonakshi Sinha has delivered many superhits and a few super duds. Now, she is a tried-and-tested player who filmmakers have come to depend on. They know that whatever the fate of the film at the box office, Sona will bring something substantial to the table.  

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Happy that she has made this journey without too many cuts and nicks, the Dabangg 3 star speaks of how quickly time has flown. And, how she has gone from a greenhorn to a ‘learned’ actress, who can take most things in her stride.

Over to the striking-looking Sona, who knows how to fit in.

You had mentioned earlier how it was nice to be a part of Kalank.

It was fantastic to be a  part of such a talented and versatile ensemble cast. Working with Dharma Productions and Sajid Nadiadwala sir was amazing.

What drew you to Satya (your character in Kalank)?

It’s one of those rare roles that just falls into your lap. I’m very happy that Abhishek Varman saw me playing Satya, because she is a strong character, she’s like a glue that holds the family together. She’s a strong, self-sacrificing woman who will do anything to make sure her loved ones are fine. Those are the values I relate to and to be able to portray such a character is a gift.

You’ve had the fortune of playing strong parts, from Rajjo in the Dabangg franchise to Akira (Akira, 2016) and Happy (Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi, 2018). So why did Satya appeal?

It’s so empowering to enact a role, around which the film revolves and which takes the story forward. 

Were you perturbed when some of your films didn’t fare as well commercially as they were expected to?

No. I think by the time a film releases, I’ve moved on to the next and I put all my energy and positivity into the new movie. Of course, you feel bad when your film doesn’t do well because that’s what all of us are working towards. But I love the fact that my performances were appreciated in all the movies. I took risks, some paid off, some didn’t in the way I would have liked them to. But I’ve learnt a lot from all my films. And, honestly, that’s something that adds to your repertoire, to your craft, and in a way, helps me move forward and do better for my next project.

So, the experience is more amazing. I’ve worked with such diverse directors with such different styles of working. I feel it’s a learning experience for me and that helps me get ahead.

For someone so young and pampered, how does this level of maturity come in?

I don’t know. I’ve been a very calm person for most of my life. I’m the kind of person who will not take unnecessary stress. I like to do my work in a calm and composed manner. Plus, over the years, you learn. When I came in nine years ago, I didn’t know anything in spite of being born in a film family. I had no interest in acting or cinema or anything of that sort.

So, for me, it was a new thing as well. People won’t believe, but it’s true. Whatever I’ve learnt, is all on the job. The people I worked with taught me so much. So, it has been a learning process and I hope that continues because that’s what helps you grow as a person and also as an actor.

Sonakshi Sinha and Alia Bhatt

You have struck a balance between two generations of stars. We see you paired opposite Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn and also with the younger lot like Ranveer Singh and Aditya Roy Kapur.

Yeah, I’m glad I have struck that balance. Because that opens up a whole range of work for me to explore. Not just that, but I’ve also been able to strike a balance with the films I’m doing, the so-called commercial subjects and the so-called niche at the same time.

Besides Kalank and Dabangg 3, which are your new lot of movies?

I’m doing an as-yet-untitled project with T-Series and Mrighdeep Singh Lamba (Fukrey, Fukrey Returns), which is being directed by Shilpi Dasgupta. It’s a comedy with a message. If there’s anything you need to get across, put it in a humourous way and people will take much more notice of it.  Again, it’s an amazing role for me. It’s something that people were not expecting me to do. Even I was not sure if I would be able to pull it off. But once I did, I enjoyed myself. There’s also Mission Mangal and Bhuj: The Pride Of India.

How were the dynamics with Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan on the sets of Kalank?

Amazing! They’ve been my friends even before we teamed up for this film. In fact, I’ve known Varun from my school days. Moreover, we have the same wavelength when it comes to work ethics, which is great. Alia is someone I really admire, I think she is one of the most talented actresses today. So, it was nice working with them. When you have actors you appreciate and admire so much, it becomes that much more fun. Doing a scene with her, you just up your game, you’re just feeding off each other’s energy... and that translates into all the more good energy of the movie.

The film’s makers say they’ve set the clock by you as you’re so punctual. That’s opposite of your dad, Shatrughan Sinha. 

(Laughs). Yeah, just the opposite. I’ve always been a stickler for punctuality. If you tell me to come for a party at 9 pm, I’ll be there at 9 pm on the dot. There will be nobody else and I’ll be the first one there. Even my friends are shocked and ask me ‘Why do you go to a party on time?’ But when it comes to work, I believe that everybody’s time should be respected. I’m an actor and being paid to do a certain job, so I have to be punctual because the entire unit is there. They’ve all come, done their job and set up everything for me. So, I should be there too. I don’t like it when people take others’ time for granted.