The search continues

Almost a decade old in the film industry, Sonu Sood is now quite a head-turner

December 28, 2014 04:16 pm | Updated 04:16 pm IST

Actor Sonu Sood

Actor Sonu Sood

He might have won the hearts of Hindi cinemagoers with his portrayal of Chhedi Singh, an unethical political leader ready to bump off anyone who crosses his path, in Dabangg and more recently as happy-go-lucky Jag in Shah Rukh Khan’s much hyped Happy New Year but actor Sonu Sood continues to yearn for more. When prolific South Indian filmmaker Mani Ratnam’s much talked about Hindi movie Yuva was released in theatres, cinema lovers applauded Sonu for his acting skills and ability to fluently deliver dialogues like a resident of Uttar Pradesh even though his mother tongue is Punjabi. Some fans as well as the critics complimented him for outshining Abhishek Bachchan, who had a meatier role. Despite this, Sonu failed to become part of meaningful movies where he could showcase his potential as an actor.

“With no back-up in the industry, it is tough to prove yourself. But one must have faith in one’s ability and that is what I am doing. Ever since I landed up in Bombay I have been struggling and even now continue to do so,” says the actor, even as he is surrounded by his fans, who plead with him for autographs, selfies or flaunt his washboard abs for them, at a crowded mall in West Delhi. Full marks to the actor, who had come to launch Swiss watch Oris, for wading his way into the crowd to get pictures clicked with some and even fulfilling an unreasonable demand of a couple to hold their baby for a photo opportunity.

Sonu says the acting bug caught him while he was studying engineering. “I would demonstrate my acting talent during college functions and gradually I started liking what I was doing. Before getting into movies, I decided to get modelling or acting assignments in Delhi. I still remember waiting for hours at the busy South Extension market to get that one elusive call.”

Recounting his days of struggle, Sonu says since the doors of the Hindi film industry were closed for him, he had no option but to try his luck in the South Indian industry and it embraced him with open arms. “I did Tamil and Telugu films and slowly became a household name down South. I like working down there. Thanks to the work I did in the South Indian industry I got noticed by Mani Ratnam who cast me in Yuva . Among stalwarts of the South Indian industry I hold Rajinikanth in high esteem. Rajini Sir is so down to earth and still capable of putting up such brilliant performances.”

Though Sonu knows his performance in Yuva was lapped up by the film-going public and he managed to do a shade better than Abhishek Bachchan, he has no grudges for his rollercoaster journey in the film industry because he believes that like in life in Bollywood too one has to reconcile with certain ups and downs. “I have no axe to grind against anyone for the way my career has shaped up so far. Without a godfather certainly there are certain disadvantages but one has to work with a positive frame of mind. After Yuva I again got to work with Abhishek in Happy New Year . Tomorrow again, who knows.”

But isn’t he now reduced to flaunting his physique on and off screen? “If you have the physique what is wrong in flaunting it? I oblige my fans, who know me primarily as an actor. It is part of the package. To look in great shape it becomes imperative for me to do exercise methodically. So gymming is part of my routine. However, I steer clear of non-vegetarian food or supplements. I abstain from trying Punjabi cuisine because it is extra oily.”

Knowing the actor’s commitment towards his profession, one can assume he wouldn’t be tempted to try the heavy duty food cooked in the heartlands of Punjab, his home where he is headed to for a 10-day break. “I would be relaxing at Moga. It always feels good to meet warm-hearted people of Punjab. Even the Delhi crowd makes me feel at home.”

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