Sonam Kapoor on Veere Di Wedding: ‘Chick flick is a derogatory way of looking at a film’

Sonam K Ahuja wears many hats with aplomb. She is not only a popular actor but also has a successful clothing label with her sister Rhea Kapoor. On the career front, she seems to have struck a perfect balance between the characters she essays and her movies that become memorable. Like her last release Pad Man that was the first mainstream Bollywood film to talk about menstrual hygiene, in which she played an important role. This came after Neerja (2016), which earned her the National Award Special Mention for her inspiring performance.

She is also a suave fashionista whose every public appearance is looked forward to. As an industry person says, “Sonam has such an amazing sartorial sense that you can be sure she will be talked about more than other actresses at the same event.”

For the last few weeks, she has been more in the news for tying the knot to businessman Anand Ahuja. When we meet her at a suburban five-star hotel, she’s there to promote Veere Di Wedding (VDW), her first release as Sonam K Ahuja. A quick Q&A with the actress...

Considering that VDW is your home production, didn’t you ever want to play Veere?

No, I don’t think so. How boring would that be! I think Kareena (Kapoor Khan) suits the role best.

But why Kareena?

That you need to ask the producer and the director because it’s their choice. However, after seeing the film, you will understand why Kareena is the best choice for Veere Di Wedding.

Isn’t it odd that in all these years, no one thought of casting you and Kareena together?

Did it ever occur to anyone in the industry to cast two A-list female actresses together without A-list men? This is the first time that has happened. I think that itself is cool.

The film’s promos show that it must have been a fun shoot. Which was the last film you had so much fun working?

Raanjhanaa. We had a blast during VDW, even behind the scenes. I think that should remain behind the scenes only. I don’t think we should discuss that in print, at all (laughs).

The dialogues have got extreme reactions. While filming, did you anticipate any censor issues?

No, I don’t think we did. This is how women talk to each other. We didn’t think, ‘My God! People are going to say something about this.’

Why the tag line ‘It’s Not a Chick Flick’?

That’s a derogatory way of looking at a film. It’s not a chick flick. Firstly, we should not be called chicks. And secondly, it’s a movie about four people, which caters to both men and women.

Looking at the trailer of VDW, some feel that it’s a reversal of the Pyaar Ka Punchnama series.

The Pyaar Ka Punchnama series is great but it’s very sexist. VDW is not about women discussing men and putting them down or discussing what they are going through. It’s quite different.

Your sister Rhea is the producer but what role do you play in the production house?

I’m my sister’s partner in everything; whether it’s Rheson, her styling me or producing films. I think we work well together. But I only have creative involvement; whether as an actor or discussing scripts to put projects together. My sister is the producer. She and I work well as partners.

Your brother Harshvardhan’s film Bhavesh Joshi Superhero is finally releasing on the same day as your VDW, after mulling over avoiding a clash.

I think there is space for everyone. I’d rather have my brother’s film releasing on the same day than anyone else’s.

The last time you worked with your dad Anil Kapoor was for his first commercial for a luxury brand pen. How is it working with him in the film Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga?

Working with dad has been an amazing experience. It took me a while to accept working with him as it’s hard to shoot with him (smiles).

While your production house has announced the screen adaptation of The Zoya Factor, there’s no news of the film on Battle Of Bittora, the rights of which you had acquired.

We have the rights of The Battle Of Bittora and the film is is very much on. That will be made after The Zoya Factor.