They are drop-dead gorgeous. But will Sonam Kapoorand Deepika Padukone leave a mark as actors, asks V.Gangadhar
The Rs. 5,000-crore Hindi film industry had not done badly in 2007. Along with major box-office hits such as Partner and Chak De India, there were quite a few middle level hits such as Dhamaal, and Heyy Baby. But the icing on the cake for the industry could be the two eagerly awaited releases, Om Shanti Om and Saawariya. Both films have exciting newcomers, Deepika Padukone and Sonam Kapoor.
While Deepika is a successful model, Sonam, daughter of actor Anil Kapoor, is a true product of Bollywood culture. Sonam stands tall at 5 feet 9.5 inches. Dad Anil Kapoor made his debut when he was 12, but the movie, Tu Payal mein Geet, had to be shelved. No such fears for the daughter. She is the star of one of the most eagerly expected movies of the year, directed by none other than Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Of course, she was nervous during her first shot but when the camera began rolling, the nervousness disappeared. Thankfully, it was an easy shot. She had to walk down a bridge at Karjat with full make up on. Bhansali was a tough taskmaster, there was occasional tension on the sets, but Sonam carried on bravely. After all, it is not every movie aspirant who gets to work under a director like Bhansali!
Of course, Bhansali was no stranger to Sonam who was one of the assistant directors of his film Black. She compares him to a favourite school teacher, fair but strict and expecting the best from the student! She had excellent rapport with Saawariya hero, Ranbir Kapoor, another debutant. They had been childhood friends, growing up and dancing together all the time, passing compliments back and forth.
The family is proud of Sonam and backing her fully. Dad Anil pointed out she was full of surprises. She had her own views and stuck to them, like keeping her hair long. Entering films was also her decision. Sonam was studying in Singapore when she decided she would try her hand at acting. Feasting on junk food, her weight shot up to 84 kg, but thanks to her present strict regimen, she is once again svelte. Saawariya is also promoted in a big way and is linked to the ongoing cricket season with the Australians playing India in a ‘revenge’ series, following their defeat in the Twenty-Twenty tournament in South Africa.
New challenge
Deepika found the transition from modelling to acting not easy but she loved every minute of the new challenge. She attended acting classes for three months, and since the film is based on the 1970s, watched on the video dozens of films from that era. “The costumes, dialogue delivery, the movements were all so different and needed careful studying,” she recalled. In director Farah Khan and co-star Shah Rukh Khan, she found understanding and helpful seniors, always ready to advise and help. “They had seen it all, they know so much about every aspect of film making,” Deepika exclaimed. Farah and Shah Rukh promoted her in the media and everywhere and this was satisfying. With Om Shanti Om and Saawariya set to release almost at the same time, Deepika knows there would be comparisons with Sonam. But she is not bothered. The two movies are totally different, and meant for different types of audiences, she pointed out. She would be happy if both films clicked in a big way. Deepika is keeping her fingers crossed, has a few scripts at hand but will decide on them only after the release of Om Shanti Om.
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