Always in the news. Sania Mirza manages to grab headlines whatever she does. And here she is now. Not this time for her tee-shirt slogans, her sports wins or losses, her marriage, or her nationality.
Sania is now hosting a TV show to introduce 23 James Bond films. And to offer men tips on how to woo women. Sania says she’s not going to enter Bollywood, and she did the show simply because she had time on hand. From today, she’ll be on the courts again for the IPTL. In excerpts from an interview from Hyderabad, Sania also tells us how hubby Shoaib Malik wooed her:
Why did you decide to do this? Be a Bond girl?
(Laughs) Not really a Bond girl. This was an interesting opportunity for me. It was something very different. I thought I had a couple of weeks on hand. It was lots of fun.
Bond girls have uber sexy, seductive image. Do you see yourself that way?
Aaah .... no! I just see myself as someone who likes being good, likes to dress well. Really, and besides that, it’s really more about the show and trying to promote Bond.
And your favourite Bond movie? And why?
Die Another Day and Casino Royale . I love Daniel Craig and Pierce Brosnan. Among the 23 Bond movies — I haven’t seen all of them — these two are favourites.
Who's the best bond?
Pierce Brosnan. I think he’s very good looking and an exceptional actor.
Why do you need to teach men to woo a woman? You think they don’t know how to?
(Laughs, again) I think you have to ask Sony Pix that question.
But I do think that at some level everyone is a fan of Bond. Everyone wants to have that class as Bond. Bond is seen as this classy uber stylish, good looking guy and I think at everyone wants to be that, at some level.
When it comes to wooing, are Indian men good enough?
I don’t think we can generalise; there are too many men in the country for that. But whoever wants to become like Bond is more than welcome to take a tip.
How did your hubby Shoaib (Malik) woo you? Did you have to teach him?
(Laughs) I’m not going to get into details, and no, I didn’t have to teach him, fortunately. When we did get into that, it was not so much about...You know I’m more of an understated girl. So I like things understated and classy. And that’s what he did. He was really smart about it and kept it subtle.
It's been more than four years since you’ve been married and it is a long distance relationship. What really makes it work for you guys?
I think everything...the fact that we understand each other’s profession is a big plus in our relationship.
Obviously we understand what our priority is, and our profession is not going to last forever for us, and that this time we have is not going to come back. And we both get that and respect that in each other’s profession. And it is the big bond that binds us.
This constant questioning of your nationality and your loyalty. How have you learnt to deal with it?
It gets a little too much sometimes. But the last time it happened, common sense prevailed. And the country and the media stood up for me. The media went with what was right and that was really good. I think you need to have a good system around you, good people and good friends, a good team and it helps you win the emotional battles as well.
What are your expectations from upcoming International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) that starts today?
I don’t know, I think we are all looking forward to it. I think I am looking forward to playing alongside Roger Federer.
I feel proud to have legends visit our country and getting people to come in and watch us play. This is first year so we don’t know what to expect, but am hoping it will be a grand success.
It has been more than a year since you started your own tennis academy in Hyderabad? How many people train there now?
We have about 70 kids, across age groups, starting with four year olds.
Then we have men starting in the 35 age group going up to 50. It is more about the love of the game and to keep the legacy of tennis going.
Your autobiography... where has it come to?
It is into the editing phase. I need to write more, add a couple of years. I have written till 2012. It all depends on me, when I want to finish it. Right now I don’t want to do it. Maybe in a year or two, it will be out.
So will this TV show be a stepping stone to Bollywood?
No Bollywood plans or any wood plans. I am happy playing tennis. That is my profession. I just do something like this when I have time.
PIX School of BONDing airs on SONY PIX every Saturday at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
