A classical beauty with a contemporary mindset. A graceful actress and an accomplished artiste. A star daughter and an acting star. Sonam Kapoor has shown in the few years she has been in the limelight that she is all this and more.


Daughter of one of Hindi cinema’s most successful stars (and a global face today after the success of the Oscar winning Slumdog Millionaire),Anil Kapoor , Sonam was not launched into Hindi films in the conventional way by her father. Instead she underwent a tough apprenticeship under one of Hindi cinema’s remarkable talents Sanjay Leela Bhansali, assisting him in the direction of his landmark movie Black. It was Bhansali who cast Sonam as the ethereal lead, Sakina, in his romantic tale Sawaariya . Debuting opposite Sonam was another Kapoor from another famous film family, Ranbir, son of Rishi and Neetu Kapoor. While the film was not as successful as others by Bhansali, Sonam was noticed and how. The hard to please critics were bowled over by Sonam’s talent and screen presence. Calling her “gorgeous”, rediff.com praised the “agility to her movement, a fluidity to her style”. Subhash K. Jha, the respected film analyst, compared her to ‘Nutan in "Bandini", Aishwarya in "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam" and Waheeda Rehman in "Pyasa"’.

Sonam continued to win the accolades with her second film, “Delhi-6”. Rajeev Masand, one of India’s best-known film critics called her the “revelation” of the movie, gushing “She's a firecracker performer, instinctive and uninhibited in what isn't even a conventional female lead.” International recognition was quick to follow with The Hollywood Reporter, the trade bible of Hollywood, selecting Sonam as the only Indian representative of its inaugural “Next Generation: Asia Class of 2009” in its special issue devoted to Asia, thus officially anointing her as the face of the Indian industry.

Sonam’s appeal cuts across all age groups and geographies. Perhaps this is the reason why brands of all persuasions have lined up at her doorsteps. Sonam, though, has been extremely selective in her choice of endorsements refusing to sign on the dotted line for any brand that is not in keeping with her ethos. In 2009, became the face of the new generation for L’Oreal thus joining the worldwide ranks of the likes of Aishwarya Rai, Penelope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson, Beyonce and Eva Longoria. She also became the ambassador for the Gem and Jewellery Council of India, an apt choice for someone who manages to effortlessly blend the traditional with the modern. Sonam also currently endorses perhaps the world’s most famous brand of writing instruments -and luxury products- Mont Blanc. Of course, what makes this one most special is that she endorses it jointly with her father, Anil, and had the opportunity to be in front of the camera with him, if only for the shoot of the ad.

Sonam’s commitment to the art and craft of cinema continues unabated. She has recently started shooting for Aisha, loosely based on Jane Austen’s famous Emma. Anil Kapoor was spurred into producing the movie driven by his daughter’s passion for Jane Austen. She is also slated to appear in 2010 alongside another emerging star Imran Khan in the uniquely titled I Hate Love Stories. Sonam was recently quoted as saying that she loved the music of popstar Lady Gaga. Now in who else would you find an ability to navigate the complex social worlds of Jane Austen as well as the ability to groove to the ultra modern music of contemporary pop?

No wonder, then, that Sonam Kapoor is today one of the brightest young stars in the Hindi movie firmament, looking to a dazzling future, even as she embodies all that is great and good about Hindi cinema’s glorious past