Sonakshi Sinha speaks: ‘Women characters are now depicted as strong and bold’

Sonakshi Sinha, the daughter of renowned actor and politician Shatrughan Sinha and former Miss India, Poonam Sinha, started off as a fashion designer before making her mark in Bollywood through the 2010 film Dabangg, which catapulted her to instant stardom and earned her a Filmfare Award for her performance. 

Interestingly, even the general audience now fondly refers to her as the ‘Dabangg’ girl, a term that she embraces and acknowledges. 

Over the past 13 years, Sonakshi has regularly worked with renowned film directors and has carved a niche for herself as one of the top actresses in the industry. Hailing from a family connected with films, she has put in a lot of hard work to succeed in the highly competitive film industry. 

Reflecting on her journey, Sonakshi recalls a particular film, Double XL, in which she acted alongside Huma Qureshi. For that role, she had to gain 15 kilograms, which was a challenging task. 

However, she managed to do it as it was necessary for the film. It took her a year to gain the weight and then reduce it back. 

Sonakshi has become known for her significant roles in films such as Rowdy Rathore, Lootera, and web series Dahaad. These performances have established her as a brilliant actress in the industry. 

A Soldier is Never Off Duty and Holiday are two of the films that played a pivotal role in shaping her career. 

Sonakshi has an impressive filmography, having acted in more than 30 Bollywood films, many of which have received appreciation from her audience. 

In addition to her film career, she has also appeared in popular television shows like Indian Idol, Nach Baliye, Om Shanti Om, and Fashion. She has proven herself as a multi-faceted personality, successfully transitioning between films, web-series, and television, and delivering memorable performances across all platforms. 

Sonakshi is currently working on an upcoming film titled Nikita Roy And The Book Of Darkness. This film is based on the book by Nikita Gill, a British Indian poet, playwright, and writer based in south England. 

Sonakshi’s brother, Kussh S Sinha, selected this book for making his film, and he is thrilled to have Sonakshi on board for the lead role. 

Having witnessed her growth and talent over the years, Kussh appreciates her work and believes she is the perfect fit for this role. 

In an interview with Patriot, Sonakshi revealed details about her role in Nikita and The Book of Darkness. 

Q: Could you tell us about your role in your upcoming film? A: I am portraying a pivotal and significant role in Nikita Roy And The Book Of Darkness. I have put in a lot of hard work to do justice to this character. The film marks my brother Kussh’s directorial debut, and he found the script and subject to be interesting. He took the decision to cast me in the film, and I am grateful for this opportunity to work with him. 

I consider myself fortunate to be a part of this film, and I am very excited to work alongside veteran actor Paresh Rawal ji. The cast also includes talented actors like Suhail Nayyar and Arjun Rampal, among others. It’s a team of accomplished Bollywood actors. 

I sincerely hope that my audience, with whom I am connected on social media, will appreciate my performance. 

Q: You have played significant roles in many films, would you like to talk about them?  

A: I have performed a variety of roles in different Bollywood movies and worked with many top directors. However, I consider Lootera and Dahaad as two of my great performances.

I still remember when noted director Vikramaditya Motwani selected me and gave me a chance to play in Lootera, I felt very happy and played played the role of a woman ailing from tuberculosis. This kind of role was very tough but the audience liked my performance. 

Currently, I am also working in Heeramandi directed by noted film-maker Sanjay Leela Bhansali. In the film, I have worn opulent and exquisite artificial jewellery and attire. On screen, I resemble a bride. Working with the talented Bhansali was an enjoyable experience. It has always been a dream of mine to work with widely acclaimed directors like Bhansali, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity. Undoubtedly, he is a brilliant director with a distinctive style that sets his films apart. He is widely recognised for masterpieces like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas, and Padmaavat, among others. 

Q: What was it like working with Reema Kagti, Ruchika Oberoi, and Zoya Akhtar in Dahaad? 

A: It was a privilege to collaborate with directors of immense talent such as Reema Kagti and Ruchika Oberoi, both known for their outstanding work in films. Dahaad was created by Zoya Akhtar, who has made remarkable contributions to Bollywood. I consider myself lucky to have worked with these three exceptional female directors. 

It is indeed exciting news that Dahaad web-series premiered at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival. It was a wonderful experience working alongside talented actors like Gulshan Devaiah, Aohum Singh, Sanghmitra Hitaishi, Nijay Kumar Dogra, Vijay Kumar Dogra, Waeis Ahmed Zaidi, Nirmal Chiraniyan, Abhishek Bhalerao, and others. 

Q: Do you believe there will be a change in the portrayal of female characters? 

A: Absolutely, the representation of female characters has witnessed a significant shift. Women characters are now depicted as strong and bold, and they receive equal pay as their male counterparts. This progressive change reflects the evolving mindset and demands of the audience. 

Q: Lastly, how do you feel about Delhi and your fans there? 

A: I have immense love and gratitude for my fans in Delhi. The warmth and support they shower upon me are overwhelming. It’s always a pleasure to visit Delhi, where I feel a deep connection with my audience.