Known for her memorable performances in Punjabi films such as “Punjab 1984” and “Super Singh”, Sonam Bajwa wants to explore different kinds of characters and wants to avoid being typecast. After working in Tamil and Telugu film industry, she is eyeing for a good script to work in the Hindi movies. She talks about her journey from air hostess to a beauty queen and an actor, her choice of roles and the surge in Punjab film industry.
Expectations are high from “Carry On Jatta 2”...
The brand value of the film is already established with the first film and this time the production value is higher. Also, there is a lot of research done on the project and the script is very interesting to match the benchmark set by the first one. It is my third film with Gippy (Grewal) and he is very easy to work with. People call him a desi rockstar but, in general, he is really very simple and he does not carry the hang-ups of being a big star.
How do you look at your journey?
Being an actor was never in my plan as I come from a very humble background and I never thought that acting could be a career option. I grew up in an environment where everyone wanted to become an engineer or a doctor but I wanted to participate in a beauty pageant and I always dreamt to become Miss India. In 2012, I went to the pageant and though I did not win, it opened my way to the film industry and I got my first film. I am fortunate that everything that I did worked in my favour.
Has the recent surge in the multiplex culture has given a fillip to Punjabi films?
I believe that multiplex has helped not only the Punjabi cinema but regional cinema in general. It is because of the fact that people are following good content and if they are not getting that from mainstream cinema then they look for an alternative. In north India, for instance, a big release from Punjabi film industry affects the business of a Hindi film. A lot of credit goes to the audiences as they like to watch something that intrigues them and it proves that language cannot be a barrier to it.
You played a village girl in “Punjab 1984” though you had an urban girl image before that…
I grew up in a village and lot of my childhood memories are attached to rural life. I totally understand the psyche of a girl who lives in a smaller place and I never had a problem in playing roles like that. I have seen the city life very closely as well because that is what shaped the later part of my life. Being able to relate to both, I can have a better range as an actor and I could never be stereotyped with a certain image. I believe that works in favour of me. The closest character to my own personality would be the one in Super Singh because she is studious, upfront and that is the kind of rapport I have with my friends.
Do you have plans to work in Bollywood?
I would really want to work in Hindi film industry and I am waiting for a good script. I do not want myself to choose anything in a hurry because the first film leaves a mark on your career and people already know me. I am a big fan of Kangana Ranaut, Alia Bhatt and Anushka Sharma and I appreciate the kind of characters they are able to pull off in the industry. Given a chance, I would love to work with Ranveer Singh as I really like his work and the kind of energy he shows on screen.
