For the past two years, Sonu Sood has worked to help those affected by the Coronavirus pandemic — from helping migrant workers reach home to providing people in need of medical facilities during the second wave. Since his social work kept him busy, his film projects took a back seat during this phase. Though the actor was shooting for some projects, he didn't have any Hindi releases in 2020 and 2021.

Ask him if he missed being away from the screen, and he says, “No, I didn’t miss any of it. I must say that in the last two years, I reinvented myself. I realised that there is nothing more special than the experience of giving. I can say that this is the most important role that I ever played in my life.”

The Simmba actor says he has over half a dozen projects in various languages in the pipeline. He shares, “What I did in my real life is now getting translated on screen as well. Filmmakers approach me with subjects that revolve around social issues or about a common man trying to help others. Interestingly, many of my south films have portrayed me in villainous roles in the past. However, now, filmmakers from down south are only offering me positive roles. They feel that if they show me in a negative light, the audience won’t like it. All this feels special, but at the end of the day, as an actor, I want to explore and do something new, which I will.”

At the end of 2021, Sonu announced his new production venture Fateh, which will see him in the lead role, helping people fight cyber frauds. “The project is about how common people from the metros and rural India fall prey to excited about this project and am looking forward to it going on the floor in March,” he shares.

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While the actor has stayed away from politics, his sister Malvika Sood recently joined the Congress and will contest in the upcoming Punjab assembly elections. Sonu says, “I feel proud that she took the plunge. She has been living there for the past couple of years and knows the issues that matter to people. I am glad she will be able to be in touch with people and help them directly.”

Ask him if he plans to campaign for his sister, and he says, “It is her journey, and I have nothing to do with politics. I will keep doing the work that I have been doing. I won’t be campaigning for her in the elections because I want her to work hard and do her bit. As far as I am concerned, I will always stay away from politics or any political affiliations.”

Actor Sonu Sood has stepped down as Punjab’s ‘State Icon’ after holding the position for over a year. Sood says that this decision is in sync with the Election Commission of India’s principles, but maintains that it doesn’t mean an end to his responsibilities towards the public.

“For the past year, I was doing my bit as the State Icon of Punjab, spreading the message about how important it is to vote and help rebuild the state. Now, since my sister is contesting in the Punjab [assembly] elections, I can’t be the icon [any more],” Sood, who was born in Moga, Punjab, tells us.

He continues, “It (continuing with the position) is not possible, or right. It was conveyed to me that I can no longer send a message that everyone has to come and vote, because someone from my family is contesting.”

The Election Commission of India had appointed him to the position in November 2020, after his work to help people during the pandemic. Sood says, “And now, when I have stepped down, I think I have more responsibility on my shoulders, that I have to do more... to motivate people to come forward and do their bit (for the state).”

Sood, who is equally known for his philanthropy as for his film career, mentions that he understood the power of the common man while working in the public field.

“I’ve learnt that the real power lies in the hands of a common man. Punjab needs a lot of improvement, whether we talk about medical facilities or education. We’ve arranged for many surgeries, but got to know that people don’t have money to even get the test done. That’s the level of poverty,” the Simmba (2018) actor says.

Stressing how important it is for every individual to feel responsible about their state and country, Sood urges the common man to unite and “give the state what it deserves”.

Bathinda: Actor-philanthropist Sonu Sood, who emerged as a real-life hero for thousands of migrants during the lockdown, on Sunday announced his sister Malvika Sood Sachar’s intention to join Punjab politics, but added he has no such plans for himself. Sood, who is from the Moga district, said his sister has done a lot of amazing work in the past and wanted to amplify her activities by contesting the forthcoming state assembly polls.

Speaking to reporters in Moga, his hometown, Sood said: “Election manifesto, where political parties make a lot of promises but most of the time complaints keep coming up of (parties) not fulfilling these promises, should be a sacred document. Malvika will give an affidavit of standing by what she promises to the people. If she fails to deliver, she will give up (politics).”

Sonu Sood has an older sister Monika who is a scientist, is married and lives in the US in Washington DC. Sonu finished his engineering as his parents wanted him educated, but then, he wanted to come to Mumbai to become an actor. While his mother was very encouraging, his sister panicked and told Sonu, 'How will you go and struggle just like that?' She had just got married and had moved to the US. Sonu told her, 'You wait and see, when I become a star and come to the US to perform in Washington DC, you will ask me for passes for my show.' That was 15 years back. Sonu recently got to perform at Washington DC during the Slam tour for his upcoming dance heist film Happy New Year. And much like Sonu had predicted to his sister, his sister not only came for his show in Washington DC, but also brought all her friends along, who were requesting her for passes. When things have to happen in life, they just do. Way to go, Sonu.