Sonam Kapoor plays the brave air hostess Neerja Bhanot, who died saving lives of passengers on board the hijacked PAN Am flight in 1986, in her upcoming film Neerja , set for release on February 19. The film follows her hit Prem Ratan Dhan Payo . She talks of how she is getting to play diverse roles, and is learning her craft.
She is also at the helm of launching her own fashion line with her sister Rhea Kapoor.
Excerpts from an interview
How difficult was it to portray a real person whom others have looked up to?
The reason I’m doing this character is because people have forgotten about her. Our aim was to remind everyone about Neerja Bhanot, the youngest recipient of the Ashoka Chakra. I was a year old when this happened. And 30 years is a long time, so I thought this story was compelling and now was an appropriate time to make it.
But the challenges of playing a person based on real life...
There is a responsibility because there is an idea of who she was, what she was, and what she did. So your responsibility is to be as honest as possible.
Did you do any particular kind of prepping for this role?
Of course! You feel the need in every film to work hard and do correct preparation. I did due diligence. I met family, friends, and colleagues of Neerja Bhanot. I did a lot of interviews. I went online and did research and read a lot. I did airhostess training. I did a lot. You have to. You don’t naturally know how to serve people on a flight or to make announcements. You have to train for it. It took us two years to make this film.
How involved were you in the making of the film? You have been behind the camera before for Black...
Because I play the title role, I had to concentrate on my acting. So I did my job.
This role is a contrast to the kind you had in your recent hit Prem Ratan Dhan Payo...
I am happy with the kind of roles I’m getting in the past five years. My roles have been diverse, and have given me a huge opportunity to be different people, explore my craft, and understand what I’m supposed to do.
You're seen as doing the 'bubbly' character well, like in Khoobsurat . Does that come easily to you?
But right before that I did Ranjhnaa . If you go though my filmography you’ll see the diverse roles I have done. Khoobsurat was my last successful film before Prem Ratan... and that’s why you feel that way.
But you don’t think such characters come naturally to you?
I think if you know me as a person, I don’t think any of the characters I have played are very similar to me.
What is the real Sonam Kapoor like?
That is for me to know (laughs). What I play in films is not what I am.
So that 'bubbly' is not you?
I am different people at different times.
You announced last year that you and your sister Rhea are launching your own clothing line Rheson. What is happening on that?
It will be out in April 2016. We started work in April last year and that is why we announced it then. It is high street fashion, priced between Rs. 400 and Rs. 4,000. It is for real girls like you and me... Why are you giving me that smile now?
Is it really going to be the kind of stuff you wear?
Yes, it is a reasonable line, it is what I would wear in real life. I don’t have the most model-like body. I have a real body and I know how difficult it is to dress myself and to shop for clothes that are for Indian girls, Indian bodies. So we’ve decided to design a line according to that. You will see me wearing a lot of the clothes that I design.
You and your sister are working on a film based on Anuja Chauhan's book Battle of Bittora ...
Yes, but I've made a conscious decision not to speak about any other film during these promos, out of respect for Neerja’s family.
Are you planning to direct?
In a couple of years for sure. Yes, I will do both – acting and direction.
