Sonakshi Sinha, the ‘Dabangg’ girl

It must be boring for stars to give interviews around a film’s release, especially when it’s the same 10 questions routine. But if it’s your first film, then of course you want to wax eloquent. Sonakshi Sinha, daughter of Poonam and Shatrughan Sinha, is ready to take on the competition with her debut film, Dabangg. Just a day before I speak to her, I catch her on TV and she comes across a very assured young lady.

So I am sure, she is excited but incessant media interviews seems to have taken a toll on her as the day we connect with her on the phone, she appears to be on auto mode (a manager who seems to be overhearing our conversation doesn’t help either). The answers roll off her tongue one after the other but it sounds more like an unavoidable drill.

So here’s what came out of my chat with the leading lady of the most-hyped film of 2010.

So the countdown has begun…

Long time back! I am now waiting for days to quickly pass.

Are you anxious or excited or both?

Initially there was anxiety but not any longer. I have seen the response to the promos and it’s been encouraging to say the least. Now, it’s more excitement about how the viewers would receive it. It’s more of a newcomer’s concern.

How did you land the film?

Arbaaz (Khan), who is producing the film, saw me dancing at Amrita Arora’s sangeet ceremony. I had begun to lose weight at that time. He told Salman (Khan) about me and they decided they had found their heroine.

I have been reading a lot of stories about how Salman motivated you to lose weight, how he’s inspired you to paint etc…Are these stories true? Is he your guiding light?

They are true. Salman has been a family friend…We know each other for a few years now. Yes, he’s been guiding me at every step in the course of doing this film. He’s a superstar. He’s been around for so long now, has loads of experience. So yes, he’s a huge guiding force in my life right now. He’s only helped me do better, whether it was in losing weight, which I was anyways in the process of losing or any other aspect.

What’s your role like? And does she have any chance at all considering Salman is all over the place?

Salman is all over because he’s the true star of the film. But it’s not an all-action film. There is a romantic angle too and that’s where I come. My name in the film is Rajjo. She is a head-strong girl, she is very dabangg (fearless), and she is the positive, calming force in Chulbul Pandey’s life.

You said you are fearless in the film, are you scared of anything in real life?

(Smiles) Maybe, fear of failure in future.

Who did you want to see the film first?

My dad because my mum was with me during the shooting so she knew what to expect from me. My dad barely came on the sets. He was proud of me, proud of the fact his little girl had all grown up!

Are you ready for the competition?

I would say I am happy with my first film and I would rather spend my energies thinking about it and my career than worry about the competition.

What was more difficult dancing, romancing or emoting?

I would say emoting as I am not trained in acting.

There are bound to be comparisons with your father. How do you plan to tackle those?

The comparisons started long time ago. I am used to them by now. I don’t mind it or there is nothing to be upset about as I know I am being compared with the best.

(The answer seems to be borrowed from Abhishek Bachchan who often said the same thing when asked about comparisons between him and Senior B).

Finally, give me three reasons to watch Dabangg?

One, because it’s my first film, two it’s Arbaaz’s first production and three it’s Abhinav Kashyap’s debut as a director.

-Kshama Rao