Sonam Kapoor Beautylicious

When a girl manages to make waves even before her debut movie releases, you know she’s got something special. Say hello to Sonam Kapoor.

She’s been on your television screens so often this past month or two, it’s easy to forget she’s a newbie. Easy also to forget that she is very young. And definitely, you fall into the trap of expecting from her what one expects from glam goddesses who’ve been there, done that.

So, when she breezes in for a Cosmopolitan cover shoot – and trust us, it’s not easy – you get the shock of your life: this girl is achingly young, and disarmingly fresh. She’s showing off a sexy brown top she’s just picked up, and asking everyone’s opinion on whether she’s lost weight.

No arrogance about a body to die for, a movie launch to kill for, and a lifestyle to drool over. Turn on the cam, however, and she has the ability to go all diva on you – her pictures for us scream sensuality. Cosmo got in touch with the girl everyone’s talking about…

Cosmo: Your first step in Bollywood as an actress… How has it been?
Sonam Kapoor: It’s been amazing. I love the response we have got for Saawariya. Firstly, for two rank newcomers, we have got the biggest openings. The sort of response I have got from the industry has been great too. So, I’m really happy.

C: Were you sure it would be this good or were there oh-my-god moments?
S: I wasn’t nervous at all. I was very calm and I’m not the kind of person who thinks about the future or the past. I just live in the present. I enjoy every day as much as I can.

C: What about the fact that Deepiak Padukone was debuting on the same day, opposite Shah Rukh Khan no less…
S: I don’t think comparisons are fair to other people – but most, to yourself. You can’t compare yourself to other people or compare what you have with what they have. You just have to be true to yourself and concentrate on what’s happening internally. If you bring in other external factors, it completely bogs you down. You can’t get focussed on what someone else is doing. Concentrate on yourself and you will be successful.

C: You’ve got good reviews for Saawariya, but we hear critics saying the movie seemed Ranbir Kapoor’s show all the way. What’s your take on that?
S: Come on, I was the heroine of the film! I did have a lot to do too and I couldn’t have asked for a better film to debut with. I’m really glad that Ranbir has got such good reviews because he had an author backed role. But I had a good role too – it was very complicated for any newcomer to play. For a director to have confidence in a girl who had never acted before, to actually give her such a complex role says a lot about what he thinks of me as an actor: And that too when I was just 18.

C: You started out as an assistant director – it’s the reverse of the usual acting-to-direction switch! Why did you go for that route?
S: I was never interested in acting. Direction and writing are my basic interests. But Sir (SLB) showed so much confidence in me that I couldn’t resist acting.

C: So the director-writer in you is on vacation for a bit right now?
S: I can never stop writing. I have written quite a bit over time – short stories and story ideas. As for direction, I think I should start off as a writer first because direction is a very difficult task and you have to be in charge of a load of things, and people of course – the writer, actors, technicians – basically be the captain of the ship. And honestly, I don’t know how much of a team player I can be in that sense, you know, as an actor and as a writer you do your own thing but as a director you have to calm people down and be diplomatic. You have to have so many more facets to you.

C: You have a production house within the family. why didn’t you debut with them like most star kids conventionally do?
S: I didn’t want to be an actor to begin with, so there was no question of wanting to debut with my father. But I’d obviously love to work with him someday. If he has a project for me, which he feels I’m good enough for, then I’m sure I would do it without reservation.

C: So what was Anil Kapoor’s reaction to his lil girl’s performance in Saawariya?
S: He loved my performance. He was very touched by the film. He told me that it was a film that touched his soul. I think that’s the best compliment for me.

C: Was that an actor’s reaction or a father’s?
S: Oh, no he wouldn’t praise me just because I’m his daughter. In fact, he is my biggest critic. Ditto for my mom. Actually my brother and sister too. I think they all like criticising me (laughs). But, I’m glad they’re completely honest – it helps me judge my performance accurately because when they say something’s wrong, I know for sure it’s wrong. Likewise for when they like something.

C: Did your dad’s being an insider make him cautious about your decision to start acting?
S: He was always fine with my decision and never had any problem with me entering the industry. He is over protective but perfectly alright with me acting as long as I stick to my ideals.

C: So if you want to do something that he has a problem with, how do you get around it?
S: I listen to what he has to say because he has been around in this profession for over 30 years and he knows what’s good and bad, right and wrong. So I’m intelligent enough not to contradict what he says about work!

C: Apparently you were on the wrong side of the weighing scale when you were first offered the film…
S: I had actually started losing weight even before I was offered the film – it wasn’t a reaction to the offer. I was in Singapore for 2 years and I put on a staggering 35 kilos. Constitutionally, however, I was basically always thin. So I wanted to lose all that weight because it is, after all, really unhealthy.

C: So what did you do to acquire this smoking bod – you’re in superfit shape now!
S: After I returned, I got into weight training with Shervir and Monisha as well as artistic yoga with Bharat Thakur. Also, I stick to a very healthy diet. I don’t starve myself ever; I eat normally but I keep all fatty food, chocolates and oily food away. I’m naturally inclined to be conscious about my health.

C: More movies on the anvil now that you’ve taken the acting plunge?
S: I’m doing Delhi 6 with Rakeysh Mehra, also starring Abhishek Bachchan, but I can’t talk about it right now. I’m reading many scripts and you’ll be seeing me in a lot of films soon! Right now, I am doing photo shoots and interviews (laughs) and I’m dancing a lot too. I’m a trained kathak dancer and just love to dance.

C: Rakeysh Mehra says you were the only choice for Delhi 6, while he wasn’t sure about who the hero would be…how does that feel?
S: Wow, he said that? Then it must be true. I think all directors say that to encourage newcomers. But, if that’s true then it’s a huge compliment. I’m flattered.

C: Sakina (her character) and Sonam. How similar or different are they?
S: Sakina is quiet, demure, mysterious, hysterical…it was a layered role, a woman with many, many textures and sides to her personality. She stands on a bridge in the rain without unfolding her umbrella. She runs from one end to another. She laughs when she is not supposed to laugh, cries when she is not suppoed to cry. She reacts scarily to situations. I, however, am exactly the opposite. I’m a bookworm, a nerd. I read a lot and am into sport. I’m a very friendly person. I love people. I’m not at all shy or demure – I’m sure you can tell (laughs). But at the same time I’m a loner. Though I love people I like being alone too, guess that’s because I read so much and I write for which you have to be alone. What else about me? I love food a lot.

C: That’s almost impossible to believe, given your fitness levels. So what do you indulge in the most?
S: Food and fragrances. I love to eat, even if I eat healthy food. And I absolutely love buying perfume. There is no limit to how many fragrances I can buy.

C: You’re from a film family, but you managed to avoid being in the media glare earlier. What’s the spotlight like?
S: It feels good. I signed up for it, I guess. I love people, I love the industry and I absolutely love working. So I guess I’m in the right place at the right time.