orys A brand new look and a renewed vigour... Sonam Kapoor is ready to surprise the audience in I Hate Luv Storys Imran Khan was struck by her beauty when he first saw her, Punit Malhotra says she is magic in front of the camera, while she says she was made for films. Presently shooting in Edinburgh for Mausam, Sonam Kapoor is down in Mumbai to promote I Hate Luv Storys.

There’s a certain sparkle to Sonam today. It may be because she has two releases, I Hate Luv Stand Aisha, or she is generally happy with life. Whatever it maybe, it is infectious. She chats up with Punit, Tarun Mansukhani and the other youngsters who flit around Karan Johar’s suburban office in tees and sneakers. Smartly attired in black trousers and a black shirt and her silken hair tied in a pony, the actress looks attractive. Biting into a chutney sandwich, she admits that though she is careful about her diet and fitness regimen, this is one of those rare days when she feels like indulging in her favourite food items - and she gently picks up a second one.

After unconventional starters like Saawariya and Delhi-6, Sonam is acting in I Hate Luv Storys, a typical Bollywood potboiler, in which she plays a production assistant of a film. She is a dreamer and a die-hard romantic waiting for her prince-charming.

Sonam fields the questions with an easy charm....

Are you a romantic person in real life?

Oh yes! When I fall in love everyone will know about it. I think it’s the most beautiful emotion and will make my world go round! I also believe that you fall in love only once.

Which is that one quality you are looking for in the person of your dreams?

I can't point out any quality because I will know immediately that he's the person when I meet him.

Would you get married if you were to meet the person of your dreams now?

I don't want to get married now. There are a lot of responsibilities involved once a person gets married and I am enjoying myself thoroughly at the moment!

Since you are playing a die-hard romantic in the film, didn't the title I Hate Luv Storys irk you?

I love it. It makes everyone think, doesn't it? It gives the hint that everything about the film is going to be different.

What are the reactions to the promos of I Hate Luv Storys?

I'm very excited as everyone is loving them. And we are getting some fabulous reactions. All the hard work we have done is paying off.

You will be seen doing a romantic number and wearing sarees with a ’90s look in IHLS for the first time. Did you enjoy that?

I have been obsessed with movies ever since I can remember and I was quite floored by actors like Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit and Sharmila Tagore and the gorgeous sarees they wore. Anyway I am an Indian clothes person and there is no one like Manish Malhotra for understanding Indian women.

After working with established directors like Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, how was the experience of working with a debutant like Punit Malhotra?

The best think about working with new directors is that you learn and grow with them. And then Punit has an excellent script-sense. With the established directors you are learning all the time anyway. Every director, experienced or new, is different.

Which is your favourite love story on screen?

Mughal-E- Azam. It had great actors like Prithviraj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar and Madhubala and Prince Salim's love story with Anarkali was so heartrending.

Is it true that Anil Kapoor has acquired the rights to Freaky Friday?

Yes, my dad has got the rights but he has not offered the film to anyone, not me and certainly not Kirron Kher as was reported in some papers. So where was the question of her refusing the part?

Your dad never endorsed any product till you came and convinced him.

Yes it took a lot of cajoling as he had his own beliefs about doing ad campaigns. I convinced him that it was okay now and he only had to do ads that he believed in. I hope he does more ads now as it's the right time to do them!.

In your home production Aisha you will be seen as this meddlesome girl trying to match-make. Did you enjoy playing the part?

I have read the novel several times as it's my all-time favourite. And being a Punjabi, I match-make in real life too. My friends have tried with me too, but like I said, I don't want to get married now.

You have shot for Anees Bazmee's Thank You. How was it working with Akshay Kumar?

Working with Akshay Kumar was a great experience. I found him hotter in real life.

Mausam is Pankaj Kapur's film with son Shahid Kapoor as the protagonist. Did you ever feel insecure about your part?

Even though I cannot talk about the film let me tell you that it is because of the role and script that I am doing it . Nothing else attracts me to a film.

What made you opt out of Rohit Dhawan's film Come On Pappu?

It was a funny script. Rohit's brilliant and he's going to be a great director like his dad. But after the project got delayed I could not give him the dates.

Now that you have done so many films what have you discovered about yourself as an actor?

I feel my strongest point is comedy. I realised this during the shooting of Aisha. I found doing comedy easy and enjoyable. Since I am a trained dancer my other forte could be dancing, though I have not had the opportunity to do a film where I can show this skill.

-ScreenIndia