SONAM KAPOOR: I Have Self-Respect And I Don't Want To Be A Barbie Doll

High on the success of Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, Anil Kapoor's daughter gets candid about everything related to the film and lots more. Read on...

You must have loved dressing up for PRDP...
Anamika Khanna designed my clothes and my mom (Sunita Kapoor) did the jewellery. What more could I have asked for!

Image Source: anamikakhanna official website & thepurplewindow  

Your vote for your best outfit goes to...
The white-and-red dress which I have worn in the title track.

I thought you'll say the purple saree which you've worn when Salman writes on your back. Or the off-shoulder peach outfit...
(Interrupts) Oh yeah, I loved those two as well. In fact, many people have complimented me on that purple saree. But I'll give an extra inch to the white-and-red dress.

Image Source: facebook/PRDP

Do you think that you've symbolised with PRDP that Indianness and glamour can go hand-in-hand...
I don't know about that. All I will say on this is: Clothes need to be worn with dignity and grace, and you need to feel beautiful and confident with what you wear. You need to wear clothes and not let the clothes wear you (pauses).

Go on...
You need to wear clothes for yourself and not for other people. Frankly speaking, I am never swayed by what others wear.

You experiment a lot with clothes, and seems that you want to look different everyday...
Yes, because I feel different everyday. I am a typical Gemini.

Back to PRDP. Was it your suggestion to bring in Anamika and your mom?
Yes, and Soorajji (Barjatya) was comfortable with the idea. Anamika has previously done Delhi-6, Mausam and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag with me. My mom had worked on Saawariya.

Saawariya hadn't worked. Did that play on your mind for a bit?
No, I don't function that way. My mom was the best suited person to do my jewellery for PDRP. Think of it, everyone had liked the way I looked in Saawariya.

What was Sooraj's involvement in the way you looked in his film?
He suggested the colors which were correct. Anamika, my mom and I had a one-day meeting with him before the film went on floors. After that, he allowed me to do what I wanted.

Salman's involvement?
None, but he appreciated the way I was looking. Salman doesn't get deeper into such aspects of film-making.

Image Source: facebook/PRDP

Which was the most difficult scene for you?
The elaborate scene where Salman writes on my back. I didn't want to do it dramatically or subtly. It is very likely that I could have either gone over the top or understated what had to be said. I had to strike the right balance. The emotion of love had to be expressed, but mind you, very delicately.

Image Source: facebook./PRDP

Did you feel shy when you lied down and asked him to write on your back?
(Laughs) No. That scene was shot when we had completed over a month of shooting together. By then, we had become very comfortable with each other.

And in the scene which had you in a short black dress?
(Laughs again) No, I didn't feel shy in that either. As I said, you need to feel beautiful and confident with whatever you wear. That scene required me to feel just the same for Vijay (Salman's prince character).

Do you feel that you have fulfilled a responsibility of not letting a Salman film down?
Hmmm... I was very nervous and excited as the release date drew near. Now, I am feeling very relieved and happy. I am off to Dubai with my sister (Rhea) for a short holiday.

How have your dad and mom reacted to PRDP?
Mom is happy. Dad is over the moon. I don't understand numbers, but he does, He is very happy with the collections and feedback. They both got very emotional while seeing the film.

Are you going to hike your acting fee, now?
That's not my domain. This question will be best answered by Atul Kasbekar (whose company Bling manages Sonam's assignments). Yes, you should have your price and not work for less than what you deserve. But I am in movies for my passion for acting, not for money. Money can be achieved from ad, shows and events.

What does Sonam see when she signs a film?
The film shouldn't be one where she is required to be just a pretty face. It's the question of having self respect and saying that 'I am worth more than this'. Even if it's a 20-minute role, I would want to do something with it that would add to the film.

We don't see you in films where you're required to just strut about and dance with big heroes...
Yeah. and I won't be comfortable doing that. I have got tons of offers where I was asked to be a Barbie doll, but I declined. Well, I won't take names of those filmmakers or the actresses who eventually did that role, because it would be very disrespectful. Even if I do a very big film like I have just done (PRDP), I need to have a role which is substantial and integral. And with PRDP, I think I have made that very clear.

Thumbnail Image Source: facebook/PRDP