Shankar, who is gearing up for the release of Robot 2.0, his third collaboration with Rajinikanth, on his upcoming project, spinning a superhero franchise and the challenges of shooting on a budget
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 26, 2018)

Shankar describes his upcoming film, 2.0, as a sci-fi social. The director, who deals with the concept of “Fifth Force” in the film, reveals that there are many surprises for the audience to look forward to. Excerpts from an interview:

2.0 was initially planned with Aamir Khan as the protagonist and Arnold Schwarzenegger as the antagonist. Were you disappointed when your dream casting didn’t work out?
Such things are common with all my films. We go to an actor, things don’t pan out, we move to the next and so on. Rajini sir (Rajinikanth) wasn’t feeling well at the time (2014) so I approached other stars. But Lingaa gave him the confidence to take on 2.0 which is a difficult film with all its prosthetics and action sequences. After three years, I’m waiting to see how the audience reacts to our effort.

What was the biggest challenge with this film?
Bringing my imagination to celluloid. It required craftsmanship, technology and dedication. Every shot was reviewed a hundred times at different stages, from the art work and CGI to previsualisation and VFX. It was a tedious process but then, every element was difficult to execute. Also, the budget was significantly higher so convincing the producers initially was difficult.

Did you have to compromise on your vision owing to budgetary constraints?
Our market is India, so we couldn’t push the budget beyond a point and spend as much as a Marvel or DC film on VFX. But despite not having a Rs 500 crore-plus budget only for VFX, we are trying to match the standards set by Hollywood films. At times we did have to compromise monetarily, but not on vision. If we get their kind of budget, we can make a far superior film.

When you work with a superstar, do you write the character keeping his image in mind?
I do keep the expectations of a fan in mind, but I also stay honest to the script. I wouldn’t go overboard just to satisfy the fans.

Rajinikanth’s last few films haven’t worked as per expectations at the box-office. Is that cause for concern given that your previous two films with him were blockbusters?
The audience is always open to seeing their favourite star on screen irrespective of the fate of his previous films. As far as 2.0 is concerned, they will be viewing it as another collaboration of Shankar and Rajini sir after Robot and will be coming to see it with a fresh mind. And I’m confident that they won’t be disappointed.

What was it like working with Akshay Kumar?
Great, I’m amazed by his discipline and commitment! He spent three-four hours every day on prosthetics and another couple of hours to remove the make-up. He’s not just the antagonist, his role has many shades which makes it interesting.

Any plans to take the franchise forward with or without Rajinikanth?
We definitely plan to make 3.0 but I can’t think of this franchise without Rajini sir. He’s the only name that comes to my mind when I think of Chitti. As an audience, I want our industry to have a superhero franchise like Superman, Spider-Man and Batman. Chitti is loved by all and I would love to see the character again on screen. But for that to happen, the creative in me should get the right script. I would not want to make 3.0 just for the sake of carrying the franchise forward.

Have you ever thought of making a superhero crossover film, like Chitti meets Krrish or G.One?
I can’t think in that direction. I imagine and create a script organically, once that is done, if the story has a potential for a crossover superhero film, I’ll head that way.

So, what’s next?
We have signed Kamal Haasan for Indian 2. Once 2.0 releases, we will go ahead and finalise the rest of the cast which could be drawn from Bollywood or the regional film industry. We start shooting in December. 

Manishaa R (DNA; July 23, 2017)

A fortnight ago, there was news that Salim Khan had announced his decision to compensate distributors for their losses in Tubelight, after some of them had met Salman at his Galaxy residence in Bandra. According to sources, Khan Sr has now called for a meeting with leading distributors to discuss and evaluate the extent of losses they suffered with the film. Prior to that, he has also asked for a list of exhibitors to examine the terms and look into possible losses. Apparently, some exhibitors had booked the film on huge Minimum Guarantees, expecting it to make box-office history keeping in mind that it was an Eid release.

Veteran Central India distributor J P Choksey, who has been consistently releasing Salman starrers in the past, has hailed the gesture. “My office releases all the films directly through Salim Khan’s office, but it is true that Khan Sr has called for this meeting. Salim saab felt that the distributors who had released the film needed to be compensated to some extent. It is a very noble initiative from Salman and his father and it will set a precedent to all other stars to follow,” he said.

According to Choksey, this would be the second big instance after Raj Kapoor where a producer is going ahead to compensate his distributors, “Raj Kapoor was a generous person at heart. When Mera Naam Joker flopped, he told the distributors of the subsequent film Bobby, to deduct the losses before fixing the price of the film. It had come as a huge relief,” Choksey said, adding that another great actor is Rajinikanth, “Rajinikanth’s films hardly suffer losses, but when there was an exception like Lingaa, he compensated each and every distributor.”

The former FFI (Film Federation of India) President insists it wasn’t Salman’s star value but the script and story of Tubelight that got the disastrous response, “Salman’s presence in the film saved it to an extent, but it was his submissive characterization that went completely against his image. The story was a letdown towards the end when the girl who was initially projected as Chinese, went on to reveal her real identity from Kolkata. It didn’t seem convincing.”

Meanwhile, the exhibitors have hailed the decisions. Leading exhibitor, Akshaye Rathi, who released the film at several theatres, feels it would be a big step in ensuring the well-being of the industry, “It’s a thoughtful gesture for the health of the industry. Distributors invest crores of rupees and it is the responsibility of producers to make sure that they at least don’t lose money. Raj Kapoor and Rajinikanth have done it in the past and that’s what makes them the superstars of stars,” he said, adding that even Shah Rukh had done it in Dilwale and several other occasions when he along with Juhi Chawla and Aziz Mirza had their company, Dreamz Unlimited.

Sonakshi Sinha opens up about her family project, admits that Action Jackson didn't turn out the way she expected, asserts she can't see anyone else playing Rajjo in Dabangg
Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 12, 2015)

Your glam prop role in your last film, Action Jackson, disappointed. Will AK Murugadoss's Akira be any different?
My role eventually turned out to be something entirely different. But when I commit to something, I believe in doing it with conviction. Action Jackson and Akira are different films, made by different people with different characters. Akira is a character people will relate to.

Your director turned the character around, from a guy to a girl. How much has Akira changed from the Tamil original Mouna Guru?
Akira is different from the original now that it has a female protagonist and has been adapted to the sensibilities of a Hindi film audience. Murugadoss sir's gift came with a strong sense of responsibility. When briefing me, he pointed out that we'd both been part of films which featured male superstars. This film is riding on us.

Konkona Sen Sharma plays a cop in the film... apprehensive about getting overshadowed?
Konkana is a fantastic actress. I'm looking forward to the shoot. Actors feed off each others energy, being in the same frame with her will only enhance my performance.

While other heroines are signing films every week, you have your hopes pinned on Akira. Why the go-slow strategy?
Who is snapping up films every week? They're either working on the films they've signed or waiting for them to release. There are hardly any films on the floors. The box office lull has affected everyone. It's better to take things slow than jump into something just to have films in your kitty. I've worked at breakneck speed for the last four years. Now I'm enjoying doing one film at a time.

After shooting for the action-packed Akira, do you feel confident to take on a Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar or Ajay Devgn?
Mixed martial arts are new to me. But I was sporty when in school and college and I adapted well. I started training a month before the shoot and am continuing with it. It's gruelling, I've injured my wrist, back and knee. As for taking on Salman, Akshay and Ajay, why would I do that? It would be cooler to be on the same team with them.

Buzz is, Dabangg 3 will take off in mid-2016. An eight-year-old reality show contestant, Akshat Singh, claims he's playing junior Chulbul Pandey. Can you ever see anyone else playing Rajjo?
Clearly this eight year old knows much more than me. The script is still being developed. I will always be Rajjo. Dabangg is my identity, it's a film I will always be proud of. I can't see anyone else playing Rajjo.

After saying you're just a bathroom singer you are judging moophat kids on Indian Idol Junior. What made you take on the challenge?
I love to sing and dance even though I've had no formal training. I can't judge these kids but I can encourage, support and help them with tips on stage presence and performance. And I'll learn some singing from them. It'll be fun! If kids are moophat, what makes you think I'm any less?

How about hosting a talk show on issues your dad's government is grappling with?
Why do I need to host a show on my father's field of expertise? If I do one, it'll be about something I excel in.

Your home production was to take off this year. Any updates?
A script has been finalised. Once the formalities are done, an announcement will be made. And yes, I will be starring in it.

In retrospect, was Lingaa opposite Rajinikanth, your father's contemporary, a mistake?
Why would it be a mistake? It gave me the biggest debut in Tamil cinema. My performance was appreciated. I've got more offers. I would love to do more films in the South.

Many of your contemporaries have turned philanthropists. Why not you?
I was part of an eye donation campaign last year, I've walked for cancer patients and Mijwan. My father is the is chairman of Prayas which helps women and children. I also helped in the Nepal earthquake relief. Just because I don't go to town about it, doesn't mean I don't do it.

At a time when other heroines are looking skeletal, you are advocating curves. What makes for a perfect figure?
There is no such thing as perfection. The world is made up of people of different shapes and sizes. That's the beauty of it. What matters is that you're healthy. Just as its wrong to discriminate on the basis of colour, creed and gender, it's wrong to discriminate on size. That irritates me!

Kamini Mathai (THE TIMES OF INDIA; January 25, 2015)

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 25, 2014)

Rajinikanth starrer Lingaa's Hindi edition will not see as much of the Thalaiva as the Tamil and Telugu versions.

The film starring Rajinikanth, Sonakshi Sinha and Anushka Shetty released in South India on December 12 and has reportedly suffered heavy losses across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

As a result, the makers are editing the Hindi version of the film and have reduced its runtime from a little over three hours to two hours and 28 minutes.

"The audience in the North does not worship Rajinikanth. There is no need to show him as a 'God' on screen. We have edited out all his OTT scenes," said the film's director and co-writer K S Ravikumar, who also helmed Rajinikanth's 1999 Tamil superhit Padayappa.

And it was only Rajinikanth's scenes that were left on the editing table. "Except two songs, no sequences featuring Sonakshi and Anushka were edited out," added Ravikumar.

"Keeping all the commercial aspects in mind, we shortened the songs from five and a half minutes to a maximum of three minutes," he added.

Eros had purchased the film's distribution rights for a whooping Rs 200 crore and planned a worldwide release of 5500 screens for the film. They are optimistic that the film will pick up over the holidays. "We are hoping that the holiday season will bring in the crowds," said Ravikumar.

Unapologetic, chilled out, no-nonsense, worldly-wise Sonakshi Sinha on living life on her own terms...
Sarita A Tanwar (DNA; November 22, 2014)


Two more releases round the corner, what’s your state of mind?
I am gearing up actually because now is the calm before the storm. I am lazing at home in my pyjamas and stuff. I am just chilling because I know once my promotions start, it will be all back to back. I start with Action Jackson and between that is Lingaa (with Rajinikanth), on December 12. Action Jackson is on November 5, and Tevar is on January 9. So, I will be promoting my films back-to-back. This is the first time that I am actually not shooting anything and I have just kept that chunk of dates for promotions.

You don’t seem stressed at all.
I am actually quite excited. I have never had this long a gap between two releases. My last film was Holiday.

That’s not a long gap!
(Smiles) Yeah, but for me, it’s long. After every two months, a new film’s work starts and now it will start back-to-back. I get very excited before my films because I love seeing ki kya kiya hai, kya bana hai. I want to know how it’s turned out to be.

And once you see it, no worries?
I am actually never worried, what has to happen will happen, it’s not in my hands, there is no point worrying about it.

Yes, all actors know that, but still go through Friday Fear.
I am not one of them, you ask anybody that I have worked with also, they know I have this attitude. Whatever has to happen will happen, so what’s the point stressing? If you see, that’s the story of my life. I had not intended to become and actor, what had to happen, happened. So now there is no point sitting and worrying about things that are beyond my control.

That’s quite a practical approach.
Yeah, it is, and I think and that’s how it should be, especially in this business, because it’s so unpredictable, you never know what works and what doesn’t work.

True, a great film might not work at the box-office but an average film will do amazing business.
And now, it has actually become more about how you market it and pitch it to the audiences, so everything depends on that.

The Action Jackson trailer reminds one of some Prabhu Dheva film, some Salman film and some South remake that hits the screen every few months. Agree?
I think Prabhu Dheva is one director with a very distinct style of his own and which he has not moved away from. But he has an audience that likes those kind of films, so I think it’s unfair to like just say that they all look the same.

But his brand of cinema has been replicated by everyone else…
By everyone else, but he is the pioneer of that and it’s unfair for him that because everybody else is doing it, he should not do what he started.

Agreed. But the last few films in that genre haven’t really worked and audiences seem a little tired of it.
I guess everything has a time of its own, a phase, but the thing with Prabhu sir’s films is that it does have that very distinct quality, but it also has a story behind it. It’s very entertaining.

Is it difficult to interact with him because he doesn’t speak Hindi?
It’s easy to interact with him. He is somebody who knows exactly what he wants. He explains himself very well. He is the kind of director who makes the actor’s life so easy, he enacts everybody’s part. He will enact what he wants the actor to do, he’ll enact even what a character in a film has to do. So you’re set, he is like a one-man army.

Tevar and Action Jackson, both seem to be in the same space, are they?
Not at all. Tevar is a commercial film; it’s a young love story, it’s about these two people who are on the run and the director (Amit Sharma), it’s his first film but oh my God! He is on my Best Directors list already because he is so amazing. I mean he is the most difficult person I have ever worked with, in terms of, he is a perfectionist, in what he expects from you. The locations that he has taken us to, he has taken us to the back and beyond.

He is from the advertising world.
Yeah, he is an ad guy. He made the Google ad. He has taken us to the most difficult areas to shoot in, if he wants a scene like this, he will want it exactly like that. At the time of shooting I used to think, ‘My God, this man is crazy,’ but then it’s all worth it. Once he showed me the rushes, I was blown. away He reminded me a lot of Vikramaditya Motwane in terms of what they extract out of their actors. These are the guys who really push your limits.

Are you a director’s actress?
Absolutely, whether you make me work with Vikramaditya Motwane or Amit Sharma or Prabhu Dheva, I will do what they tell me to do. I just want to understand their vision, I want to understand the scene what they have written because at the end of the day it is what they visualise. Then I’ll meet them somewhere in the middle with what I want to do with it or what they want me to do with it. It’s something that we mutually agree on.

After these three releases, are you planning a much-deserved break?
Yes, I have really worked like a dog in the last four years. It’s not that I need to, I want to. I am enjoying it, I love it. So, yeah I just kept on working and before you know it, I have done some 12 films. It’s been a great journey. Every single film that I have done I have enjoyed myself, which is most important irrespective of the fate of the film.

What have you learnt in the industry?
A. Don’t take it too seriously, it’s very important not to take yourself seriously in a place like this where everybody is constantly judging you. The first thing they want to do is pinpoint your mistakes. Or praise you, for the heck of it, just to be in your good books, so it’s very important not to take the good and the bad seriously.
B. Don’t bring work home. Work is work and I have my people who I meet at work, friends and a whole separate life. That’s how I like it. That’s how I guess you maintain a balance. It’s very important to have a separate world.
C. Don’t let stardom go to your head. My family has not treated me any differently after I became an actor which I really appreciate, I think keeping your head on your shoulders is very important. If the people who are closest to you start acting like WOW, then my head will go somewhere else only. What else have I learnt....

You sound too wise for your age. Is that something that happened after you came into the industry?
When I came, I was very unsure. I was like: Achcha theek hai, try karte hain, agar film chal gayi, to chal gayi, if people like me, they like me. If they don’t, it’s okay, otherwise I’ll do something else. I didn’t even know what my next step was going to be after Dabangg. I had no Plan B, I had no plan only in life. I learnt everything while working.

Every industry kid at some point wants to be an actor, you never wanted to be?
I wanted to be everything but an actor. An astronaut, a tennis player, a bio technologist, all this nonsense without realising that my mathematics is so bad. The science college would look at me, and say ‘Please go somewhere else.’ Then I got into fashion designing. I sketched well so I said, ‘Fine, why not try and hone this talent of mine’ and I was really enjoying it and doing really well in college. I never really thought of it and I had put on so much of weight. I mean I was always a big child but during college, I put on even more weight. I used to eat Schezwan noodles for lunch every day without fail.

How do you stay so detached?
I guess there is a certain sense of attachment but that also depends on how important a part of your life it has been. I mean for a person whose dream it has been since a child to grow up to be an actress, she will obviously be more attached to it than anybody else. Someone like me who has not had that and has grown up in the middle of it, who has seen it growing up, that fascination is not there. Today if I want to, without batting an eyelid, I will leave the industry. Honestly, I don’t care. I am enjoying my work, I like what I do right now. If I found something better tomrrow, I would leave acting. I am a Gemini. I will do anything, I am crazy.

But doesn’t that get mistaken as being laidback or uninterested?
It could but I know in my heart, it’s not that, so it’s okay.

You don’t care?
I stopped caring beyond a point. Earlier, it used to affect me because I was young, obviously. In fact, at 21, I started working, and at 23, my film released. Obviously, you are influenced by what people are talking about you and all that, but somewhere down the line, you learn that they will not stop no matter what you do. So you get wise.

True, but that learning comes to people very late in life.
Aa gaya to aacha hai. I think I am like my dad in terms of being and the way I think. Habits are not like him. (Grins) I am very punctual. Nowadays, nobody has the patience for unprofessionalism. In dad’s time, everyone would work at their own pace, but now things are very streamlined.

Okay, rumour has it that you want to rap. True?
I would love to. But where?

I don’t know. Considering singing? Given that it’s the new thing.
I sang a verse in Tevar. Yeah, Imran Khan made me sing. We did the song called Let’s Celebrate in Tevar and he came down and he said that there is one part the girl has to sing and he and I were planning who would. He said, ‘You’. I said, ‘What? I am not trained. At best, I am a bathroom singer. I don’t think I am that good to do it professionally but decently.

You recently ‘showed’ your middle finger to someone who dissed your fashion sense.
That was for one superb pair of dungarees that I bought from Diesel. I wore it and they said some rubbish like ‘It looks so bad’. Who are this fashion police who I must consult every time I step out from my house?

How seriously do you take fashion or what you wear?
Earlier, I used to not be so conscious, even though I came from a fashion school and all, I am a very jhalla person by nature. Like I prefer to wear loose, comfortable clothes. Comfort is of utmost importance to me. Somewhere down the line, I felt like there are people who look up to you. There are young girls who do emulate what you wear. So I said fine, I need to step it up a bit. So I did start doing that, but not to an extent where I go out only in designer brands. That’s not the kind of impression I want to give to the youngsters. Everybody doesn’t have that kind of money to spend. So now, I just take care of what I wear, but again, I have to be comfortable in it. If I am not comfortable, I won’t wear it.

Most actresses were doing female-oriented roles. Don’t you miss doing a film that revolves around you than just playing the heroine?
But I am the heroine! I don’t want to do a female-oriented script just because everybody else is doing it. That’s not a nice reason to take up something. I am doing the kind of films that I like to watch as an audience, and I think the box-office numbers will verify that fact, so yeah, it’s fun.

Are you as happy doing an Action Jackson as you are doing a Lootera?
See, when I was doing Dabangg, Rowdy Rathore and Son Of Sardaar, somewhere in the middle, came a Lootera, which struck a chord, so I said, ‘Yes I’ll do it.’ I really wanted to do it. So, unless something like that really happens, I don’t want to do it simply because people are pressurising me.

But as an actor you are as happy doing this?
I am as happy doing commercial films because I love the singing and the dancing. Honestly, box-office numbers do matter, as the films reach out to a lot more people, and you entertain a lot more people.

Okay you have dates for this one film and you have two choices — a sureshot hit but a formula film, or different but a very risky film.
I will do a sureshot hit without blinking over a risky but different film.

You are very clear...
Yes, but that’s the kind of cinema I enjoy it. I saw Happy New Year, and I laughed my guts out. I really enjoyed it. Before that, I liked Haider, I thought it was very well made and great performances. In the recent past, these are the two films.

Who would you call your friend in the industry?
Most of the people that I have worked with. And I have worked more than once with most heroes. So over a period of time, you can call them friends. But it’s not like I’ll pick up the phone everyday and talk to them. If I need to, they will always be there for me. I would call Salman a friend, Akshay, Arjun and Prabhu sir and everybody I have worked with, even Ajay for that matter. I know that he will have my back.

You have been linked with almost every actor you have worked with.
Actually, I haven’t.

Salman, Akshay, Shahid and now Arjun. Have you wondered why?
Maybe because people need something to talk and write about. But the truth is, I have a great equation with all these guys that way, it’s not like... You have seen me with most of them...

Yes, I have and I didn’t notice any sparks.
I am there to work, so I’ll work. I want it to be a happy atmosphere to work in, so you be good with everyone.

Okay, the Arjun rumours haven’t stopped you from being seen with or his sister. Have you reached a point where you don’t care?
(Pointing to a window) Open that window. Arjun’s house is right there. How difficult is it to say, ‘Hi neighbour, we are going for a movie. Let’s go?’. I mean you know it’s as simple as that. How much can you think of these things that, ‘Oh we will be clicked together and all.’ It’s like, ‘Come from this lane, pick me up’ and we go to PVR, it’s as easy as that. Why should I change that?

Given that you are friends with them all, do you have a favourite co-star?
I have. I really enjoy working with Akshay, with Shahid in R...Rajkumar and with Arjun in Tevar.

Who is closest to your personality?
Closest to my personality... Akshay Kumar. You know how many people have called me the female Akshay Kumar not only in terms of the work, but even the kind of work I do, the amount of work I do. And I agree and it’s very weird. I was shooting for R...Rajkumar in Bangkok, Akshay was there shooting Boss. Twinkle, Akshay and I were all leaving together from there and Tina was telling Akshay, ‘How can you wear a Pathani and leave the airport? Who steps out like that?’ and I walked in with this dhoti pant, wearing a loose top. She looks at me and shakes her head and says, ‘There is no point in saying anything.’

Okay, weighty issues. You started out explaining yourself and you have reached a point where you are defiant, right?
I am not defiant, this is who I am. It’s been four years, and yes now, I don’t give a damn. My audience accepts me as I am. If my weight was really an issue, I wouldn’t have been where I am today. People would not want to watch me on screen, they would not pay money for the tickets, as simple as that. And anyway who has an issue? Not the directors who are signing me, not the producers who are putting their money on me, not the audience, so who?

What do the next five years look like to you?
I don’t know about day after tomorrow, what will I know about the next five years. No plans, my life is unplanned, that’s the beauty of it. I like being surprised by the next day. I like what life throws at me.

What about love? Missing being in a relationship?
I am in a good space right now and I always think these are things that you can’t really force. When it has to happen, it will happen. These are the kind of things when you try and want them, they will never come to you. The minute you stop thinking, that’s when it happens.

What is your kind of an ideal guy?
I do have a certain mould. He must be tall for sure. Very hard to find tall boys. He has to be intelligent. He should be able to hold a conversation with me, I think that is very attractive. The main and the biggest thing ever is that he has to make me laugh. I love to laugh. He has to have a great sense of humour and he has to just keep on making me laugh.

Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; November 21, 2014)

Rajinikanth fans in Mumbai are gearing up for big- time revelry with their star’s, nay, demigod’s film, Linga slated to release on December 12. Like every time, the fireworks will take place at Aurora Talkies in Matunga — a semi-permanent shrine to the actor.

Nambi Rajan, owner of Aurora Talkies, says, “At least five fan clubs have approached me to plan celebrations for Linga’s release. We are working out the modalities. On my part, I paint the cinema halls before the release of every Rajinikanth film.” He reveals that the film producers have been requested to share the poster design for creating a 70-feet cut out of the star. During the release of Robot four years ago, Rajinikanth fans bathed his 60-feet cut out with milk prior to the first day, first show in Mumbai.

Mario Mascarenhas, who heads a Rajini fan club in Mumbai, says: “We will take his digital print to the temple and then bring it back to the theatre. We will burst crackers and like every time, bathe his larger-than-life cut out with 300 to 400 litres of milk.”

Rajini fans will get to see him in flesh and blood in Mumbai after a three- year gap, says Rajan, adding: “Kochadaiiyaan, which released in May this year, did not receive a great response as it was an animation film. But Linga will present Rajini sir the way his fans like.”

Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; November 17, 2014)

Sonakshi Sinha is in a fix. Two of her upcoming films — Action Jackson with Ajay Devgn and Lingaa with Rajinikanth — release back-to-back in December, while Tevar, her film with Arjun Kapoor, is slated for early January. So the actress is currently juggling her dates for the promotions of the three films.

Ironically, Sona had found herself in a similar situation in November last year too when two of her films — Bullett Raja and R...Rajkumar — released a week apart.

Says a source, “ Dividing her time between the promotional activities for her three upcoming films will prove to be quite a task for her. She is trying to juggle her dates as she doesn’t want to pick one film over the other.

The source adds, “ But it will undoubtedly be difficult for her to promote the two films and come up with an excuse for choosing one over the other. Lingaa marks her foray in Tamil cinema, so she will have to keep logging air miles between Chennai and Mumbai.” Over the weekend, Arjun Kapoor was seen promoting Tevar alone in a reality show as Sonakshi had to be in Chennai for the music launch of her Rajnikanth starrer.

At the event, Sona made Rajni blush by humming, “All the Rajni fans, don’t miss the chance, lingaa dance lingaa dance.” Her spokesperson says, “She will be promoting all the three films.”

Southern actress Anushka Shetty, who was to make her foray in B-town with Singham, says she is not looking for Bollywood stardom
Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 17, 2014)

Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; October 23, 2014)

Sonakshi Sinha was conspicuous by her absence at the first look launch of her upcoming film, Action Jackson, at a Juhu multiplex last evening. It was especially strange since she had been revealing her excitement on social media about the trailer launch for the past several days.

Sources said despite being in the city, Sonakshi Sinha chose to give the event a miss as she was upset about her puny representation in the film posters. “It came as a shock when she played truant after announcing on Twitter how much she is looking forward to it. After the posters were unveiled yesterday, Sona felt she had been given the short shrift. She appeared as just one of the girls along with Yami Gautam and newbie Manasvi Mamgai. Clearly, this is not what she had bargained for,” a source said.

Ajay Devgn, along with Yami Gautam and new-find Manasvi Mamgain who also feature in Prabhu Dheva’s action flick, were in attendance at the first look launch. “Sona wanted to show her resentment by being absent from the event. The posters made it out to be Devgn’s film alone,” the source adds.

Sonakshi has worked with Prabhu Dheva in films like R... Rajkumar (2013) and Rowdy Rathore (2012). She had teamed up with Devgn for Son of Sardaar (2012). The actress had been shooting for a song for her Tamil film Lingaa, but on October 20 she had tweeted saying it had been wrapped up.

The actress’ spokesperson said, “Sonakshi had some other commitments.”

DNA (August 25, 2014)

Sonakshi Sinha talks about her recent weight loss, the 'single' tag she wants to shed, her father's re-entry into active politics, and pairing up with one of his contemporaries.
Roshmilla Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 20, 2014)

As an 18-year-old studying fashion designing at SNDT University, Sonakshi Sinha was a regular at the college canteen and not overly concerned about her looks. But when the weighing machine struck 92 kgs, health became a worry. "I couldn't run on the treadmill for more than 10 minutes and would start huffing if I walked up even one flight of stairs," she recalls.

At this point Salman Khan stepped in, urging her to lose weight and become an actress. She lost 30 kilos in two-and-ahalf-years and was signed for Dabbang.

A few years later, Sonakshi however let go of her regime. "I reasoned that after working all day I didn't need to work out," she admits. The kilos piled up again and her weight became a talking point with the press.

"It wasn't that I was sitting at home without work or that my fans had moved away. But journalists kept asking questions which I was forced to answer," she sighs.

Then came a lifestyle change. Her brothers, Luv and Kush, have always been into fitness, and now she too set up a gym on her terrace to work out in the open. She's hired a personal trainer who ensures that she works out for at least 30 minutes no matter how exhausted she is. And the results are stunning. "I've lost inches, not kilos. The dress sizes have dropped just like that," she says snapping her fingers. "I'm more toned now, have the energy to work long hours and am one-third the person I used to be," she laughs, dressed in a pair of fitted jeans and a matching blue tee.

While shooting for Holiday, Sonakshi who plays a boxer, got a few on-set training sessions from Olympian boxer Vijender Singh. That has inspired her to channel her daily frustations onto the punching bag in her home gym. Is some of the anger focused on the trainer who has put her on a starvation diet for a size-zero figure?

She screams, "Starve and me? I am too much of a foodie and after working so hard why should I abstain from things that make me happy? I eat everything, but in moderation. And if I overeat, I burn out the calories. I can never be a size zero even if I wanted. I'm five feet eight inches and have a very Indian frame and a healthy build."

Has she managed to get her parents, Poonam and Shatrughan Sinha, to follow her regime? "They don't even use the treadmill," she sighs. "Dad says he cycles when in Delhi."

Given his recent health problems, didn't the family try to dissuade Shatru from continuing with active politics? "You can't take a man's passion away from him. We made sure that he takes things a bit slowly, but he was positive. He not only recovered fast but also won the elections. I can't wait for them to return from Patna and celebrate his win," she whoops.

Speaking of her father, how did he react to the idea of his daughter romancing his 60-plus contemporary Rajinijkanth in Lingaa? "He was amused but then realised that there couldn't be a better debut for me in Tamil cinema," points out Sonakshi, who has just returned from the first schedule.

"On the first day of the shoot I confessed to Rajini sir that I was nervous. He retorted that he was the one who was nervous. That broke the ice!"

So after that, was it easy to romance a man her father's age? "There no running-around-thetrees. My portion is set in the 1940s and my character believes in him and supports him. The film is told primarily in flashbacks and the age difference is justified," she argues.

Meanwhile, Sonakshi's real life romances have provided plenty of fodder for gossip, the latest being her link-up with Shahid Kapoor. The sunny smile disappears, "I guess it's because our jodi was appreciated in R... Rajkumar. But the fact is that we are not even in touch with each other now. I've completed 12 films in four years and for the last three years I've been working round-the-clock. I need some time to myself. I've been single too long, I would love to change that relationship status but I've just been too busy to find the right match." 

Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 14, 2014)

Sonakshi Sinha, who makes her debut in Tamil cinema opposite Rajinikanth in Lingaa, has been shooting in Mysore for the past few days with the star. And the combination of the Bollywood star with the Southern sensation has created unprecedented fan frenzy.

Mirror has it that 50 cops and 30 bouncers have been deployed to man the shoots of Lingaa, which are taking place in a government house, a local palace and a few outdoor locations.

A source told Mirror, "A few incidents of people trying to break the security cover have taken place in the last two days."

Several fans who gathered to get a glimpse of the stars were turned back and it is not just the fans who are not amused.

Rajinikanth, a veteran of several decades, is puzzled by the constant commotion.

Added the source, "He has been wondering why there is so much commotion on his shoot. He has made his fair share of enquiries and can do little but bear it with a grin."

Production Executive of Lingaa, Suresh Kumarswamy said: "Rajini Sir is a phenomenon and will remain so. The presence of Sonakshi has added to the chaos which we often witness whenever we shoot with Rajini sir. We are having a very tough time in Mysore. We didn't know Sonakshi is so popular."

Asked if they had so much security when they Rajinikanth shot Robot with Aishwarya and Kochadaiiyaan with Deepika, he replied, "No way. Not even half of this. Things were far more in control then."