Roshni Olivera (BOMBAY TIMES; April 14, 2019)

Sonakshi Sinha is spunky and witty, which is more than evident in the way she tackles trolls that lash out at her. The actress is also articulate and minces no words as she talks about matters close to her heart — her father Shatrughan Sinha’s decision to quit the BJP, her career choices and her idea of love. Excerpts from a candid chat with Sonakshi, ahead of the release of her upcoming period drama, Kalank...

Along with Kalank’s promotions and the shooting of of your other films, are you also going to campaign for your father Shatrughan Sinha?
No, no... I am not going to be campaigning for my father. My best wishes are always with him, but as you can see, I am fully caught up with my work. And that is something that they would also not expect from me. They know how busy I am with my professional commitments and these are two separate things.

You have been quite vocal about your father’s decision to quit the BJP and join the Congress. As a family, was there a discussion at home just before he made the switch?
It actually came as a surprise to us because until the last minute, I think even he didn’t know which party he was going to join. He is so loved and appreciated, and he has so many friends in different parties, that they were all more than happy to have him join them.

Till the last moment, we didn’t know what he was planning to do. When he finally made the choice of joining the Congress, he told us. We are happy because he is happy. That was his decision to make and completely his call. I’m glad that he finally made that decision because there is no point staying somewhere, where you are not happy and where you are not appreciated. I’m glad he made the shift and I hope that he does some great work with them.

Would you be interested in politics, maybe some time in the future?
Not at all. Just because my father has done it, doesn’t mean that I have the aptitude for it. In fact, through him I have seen that good people are rarely appreciated in the field of politics. As much as I would like to make a difference, I think I can do it in other ways in my own field, rather than politics. Also, that’s something that I don’t completely understand. I am aware of things, but it’s not something that I would be able to do as well as him.

While you are vocal about your dad’s political move and other issues in general, you’ve always been tight-lipped about your personal life. Recently, you were being linked to Zaheer Iqbal, who made his debut with Notebook. What would you say about that?
There is really nothing to talk about. When there’s something concrete in my life, I don’t think it will be hidden. I have many friends, most of them are boys because I’m quite a tomboy at heart myself. So, I guess these things will keep happening. Also, there is so much happening in my work life and that is how I want people to know me.

So are you single right now?
Yes, I am single right now.

What are your thoughts on love and relationships?
I love being in love. But, I am at a point in life where I want to find love that will stay. I am in no hurry. My work is going great, I am super busy and there is very little time for anything else. So yes, I’ll wait for it; this time I won’t go after love, I’ll let love come to me.

What’s the kind of person you are drawn to (romantically)?
I want to be with somebody with whom there is no pretense, just complete honesty. Somebody who will love me for who I am and not what I am. I am a complete romantic at heart. I want all the sweet, small and simple things that come with love.

Talking about Kalank, were you initially apprehensive about the length of your role, given that the film has multiple actors?
Not at all, because when I heard the script I knew that there are six characters in the film, and all the characters have an important role to play in the narrative. Each one takes the story forward in some way or the other. When Abhishek Varman (the director) narrated the role of Satya Chaudhry to me, I didn’t think twice. It is such a good role in itself — complete, strong and important. I didn’t feel that it would be lesser than any other role in the film. I’m really glad that we are finally getting to do an ensemble film like this. This usually happens in the West. For example, an Ocean’s Eleven has a huge cast and each one has a part to play. Nobody questions them saying, ‘Oh, your part was smaller or your part was bigger’...it’s all part of one film.

How was it shooting with such a great mix of actors, where everyone brings something to the table?
It was great. I have known Varun and Alia since a long time and we got along really well during the shoot. I also knew Adi (Aditya Roy Kapur) before we did this film. Sanju sir has seen me grow up. My dad is so fond of him. He always remembers how my dad helped him, when he was going through a difficult time. He is very fond of me and it was amazing working with him. Madhuri ma’m is an actor everyone has looked up to at some point in their lives, and continue to do so. Look at how beautiful, graceful and amazingly talented she is. She is a role model to all of us. It was great to share screen space with her.

A couple of years ago, you were suddenly doing films like Akira and Noor, which had roles that centred around you. Was there a strategy in place? Also, around that time there were rumours of you planning to tie the knot. Do you want to set the record straight?
(Laughs!) There is nothing to set straight! I’m very happy doing my job. I’m a person who doesn’t strategise, I go with the flow. I was getting really good roles and I am instinctive. When it comes to choosing my roles, if I like it, I do it and if I don’t like something, I don’t do it. The questions usually on my mind are — Am I happy with the character? Will I be able to pull it off and be happy doing it? It’s these things that I consider while taking up a role.

You’ve often been trolled for your weight or for an outfit you’ve worn at a particular event. But you seem to have come a long way in terms of dealing with the trolls. In the initial years, you would get defensive, but now one sees a different Sonakshi, who deals with the trolls with humour. How did this transition come about?
When you are new, you don’t understand these things. Your first instinct is to be defensive about it and wonder why people are saying these things about you. After a point, it stopped mattering to me. It wasn’t like I was not getting work or not doing well. Even now, I am the kind who likes to see humour in everything, who doesn’t take things too seriously. I don’t even take myself so seriously. These things are too trivial to put your energies into. When I feel I need to give it back, I give it back. These people, who troll, are insignificiant. Who are these people? They have no face, they are only doing it because they are not in front of you. Why should we give them importance? They are probably doing it for a reaction, so don’t give it to them.

So have you got this sense of humour from your father?
Yes, I guess (smiles!).

You have started shooting for Dabangg 3, a film that is really close to your heart. Do you believe that was the best debut you could have had?
Absolutely! My life changed after Dabangg. There was no looking back after I did the film. It’s been nine years and now we are working on the third instalment. It feels like life has come a full circle. The work that I have done in the last nine years is only because of Dabangg. It will always be very special for me.

There are rumours that you may be replacing Iulia Vantur in the film Radha Kyun Gori Main Kyun Kaala, which is supposed to be her debut film. Is this true?
It’s completely untrue. I haven’t read the script, I haven’t even met anyone. I am very happy for Iulia that she is a part of that film. In fact, she called me the other day to tell me that there was a story doing the rounds that I was doing the film. I was surprised about where these stories come from.