FILM INTERVIEW: SONAM KAPOOR
Sonam Kapoor Out to Prove She is More Than Daddy's Little Girl
The dust has just settled from last month’s Bollywood release of I Hate Luv Storys, but Sonam Kapoor is the little engine that could, as she stars opposite Abhay Deol in Rajshree Ohja’s Aisha. Based upon Jane Austen’s classic novel Emma and co-produced by her younger sister, Rhea Kapoor, and father, Slumdog Millionaire’s very own Anil Kapoor, Aisha also stars Cyrus Sadukhar and Arunoday Singh, and is the latest romantic comedy to headline Bollywood multiplexes in India and around the world this weekend. Of course, Sonam Kapoor hopes she is set for greater things after this film, what with her currently shooting on set in Scotland alongside Shahid Kapoor for Pankaj Kapur’s latest production, Mausam.
However, Sonam Kapoor has two overarching ambitions with her new-found box office success: take the helm of a film, and pay homage to one of the greatest works in Hindi film.
“My first love is acting, and I will be acting ’til the day I die,” Sonam told the press this week as she promoted Aisha across India. “I love my job, but yes, the field of direction is always open for me. I think I shall direct in a couple of years. I am literally itching to direct.”
Of course, ambitions take time, and the young actress who just made her Bollywood debut no less than three years ago (Aisha is just the fourth film she starred in) realizes it will take some time before she can take the helm of a production and act as director.
“I need a little more time to figure out what I want to direct and take care of the script and such logistics,” she candidly told the press. “But honestly, I would like to give myself at least ten years before I go behind the camera.”
Right now, it definitely helps having her superstar father being the power player behind the camera, as Anil Kapoor of Taal and 24 fame has continued to build his production resume.
Whilst appreciating the value of her father, Sonam is showing her deep sense of respect for Bollywood, its heritage, and its traditions in stating she would absolutely love to reprise the role of Anarkali. The commoner character who was the star role in K. Asif’s classic film Mughal-e-Azam, Sonam told the press she envisions Abhishek Bachchan taking on the role of Prince Salim while Amitabh Bachchan portrays Emperor Akbar.
“I love Mughal-e-Azam. It is one of my favorite films, and I would love to play Anarkali’s role, if and when such a role is offered to me,” Sonam announced to the press. “I think Abhishek Bachchan would look really good as Salim.”
As she excitedly looks forward to what may be, Sonam also briefly discussed with the press what currently is, as in the what Hindi film fans can expect in Aisha.
“This movie is for everyone. Girls will love it, and the kids will love it too. It’s got great music and it’s got funny moments,” she told the press. “To add more, you have parties, great clothes, and it is filled with colors. The youth will fall in love with the film. Aisha is also about a father, a daughter, and marriage. It’s a quirky love story and translates through ages.”
Sonam also stated it was quirky working in a project produced by her father and younger sister. In many ways, Aisha became an adopted member of the Kapoor family.
“Aisha is (my dad’s) third child. He is very emotional because it’s his first production with both his daughters in it,” she candidly told the press. “My father trusted everything that Rhea did for this film and is backing us all the way to make sure Aisha reaches out to the audiences who’ve loved him for three decades. Aisha is a complete film for all of us. It’s a part of this family.”
Hopefully both the familial connections and the excitement of Aisha will come through and film fans will eat this film up. If so, Sonam may very well be looking down the barrel of a film career that is as enduring and successful as her father’s.
And who knows, if Aisha continues to string together a series of successful films, perhaps she may not be too far behind in following her father to Hollywood.
