’Ranbir and I are chaddi buddies’

Vivacious Sonam Kapoor talks ten-a-dozen about her new film, losing 35 kilos, love for vintage fashion and her link-ups

Vivacious Sonam Kapoor talks ten-a-dozen about her new film, losing 35 kilos, love for vintage fashion and her link-ups

SHE puts her lunch plate aside to excitedly open the parcel that has just arrived from net-a-porter. "They're the new clothes I ordered online," she exclaims. She pulls out a bright red dress, a smart white outfit and an off-shoulder gray top. Like any excited 20-something, Sonam Kapoor shows off her latest acquisition, discussing with those around which one she should wear, and which she should save for a special day.

Five feet nine, the not-so-little daughter of Anil Kapoor dressed in a black Moschino dress, removes her four-inch pencil-thin heels, saying, "My feet hurt. I will wear them later for the photo shoot."

When someone mentions her father's enthusiasm for film promotion, she laughs, "That's because my dad loves talking about himself."

An international beauty brand has signed her on as the brand ambassador and she quickly says she isn't endorsing a fairness cream. As she settles down for the interview, she slouches on a pillow and asks, with a laugh, "Can I sit like this?"

Of course you can. So tell me, are you nervous about Delhi-6?
I was never nervous, not even during Saawariya's release. I was very serious at that time. This time, I am just excited.
Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone were awarded the most promising debut... (interrupts)
Whatever.

...and you were left behind.
It didn't upset me that people were talking more about Ranbir. At least they were talking about the film. I can't compete with everybody and say 'Oh, people are talking about Kareena or Deepika or Rani...' I don't think anything negative was said about me. People thought that I could act. And that is more important than getting awards or being just a pretty face.

Go on...
I can imagine how difficult it
must be for Ranbir and Deepika because they have already achieved that height. From down, you can only go up and from up you can only come down. That's the way of life. That's gravity. I can only get better.
They (Ranbir and Deepika) already have set a benchmark and now they are in a tougher position than I am. The expectation isn't as much from me as from these two. I got Delhi-6. It's the best project I could ask for.

The promos look promising. How many compliments have you got?
Many. Frankly, the response I am getting from just two promos
of Delhi-6 is more than what I
have got from one year of being in the industry. I am feeling so
good right now. Touchwood. (Laughs)

And what are your parents saying?
My mom and dad are not home. (Pulls a face and laughs)

Your dad is everywhere with Slumdog Millionaire.
He deserves it. It's so cool that he is being talked about. Thirty years of hard work are now paying off. I am happy for him. He is enjoying himself. That's the good thing about my dad he enjoys every moment of life.
I feel proud when he does such films. (Smiles) Dad is courageous enough to experiment.

What about you? In both your films, you play the conservative girl.
People have their own perceptions because of the character I portray. It's not Sonam. In real life, I am not conservative at all. I love partying. I wear what I want to wear. My parents are completely chilled out. Just because I don't have a boyfriend, it doesn't mean I am conservative. It's just that there are no good men in Bombay right now. (Laughs)

What about your link-up with Ranbir?
That's absolutely untrue. Ranbir is like (hesitates for words) my chaddi buddy. He is my back-slapping friend. We don't look at each other in that sense. We never did. I think he was seeing Deepika at the time, isn't it? (she asks her make-up team). People just can't handle good friendships.

Now you socialise with Ranbir and Deepika a lot.
Yes, I do. I mean, I go out with Ranbir and Deepika is his girlfriend so she comes along. We always go out in a group.

Who is the boy accompanying you?
(Laughs) I don't have a boy with me. I have lots of boys accompanying me and that's because all my friends are boys. I have five of them.

Old friends?
Of course, all school friends. We have all grown up together. My best friend is Kunal Rawal, Shaila Khan... actually they are not from the film industry.

What about the link-up between you and Kunal Kapoor?
I have met the man only twice in my life when he came to the sets of Delhi-6 to meet Rakeysh. It's the most absurd rumour I have heard in my life. I think it's because his surname and mine are the same. Maybe that's why Ranbir and I were linked up.
God, at least let me do something with somebody before you write about it. Ranbir, I can understand because we are always hanging out together. Kunal is
older to me. It's a very annoying question. (Sighs)

Okay, then tell me the fun you had while shooting Delhi-6?
It was mostly work but every 10-15 days we used to take a day off and party the night before. Delhi has the best chaats and meat. Right after the metro station, there's this person who gives the best chole bhature. So we used to pick up those all the time. I also fell sick but it's okay. I went and had some more the next day. (Laughs) We Indians have a strong stomach.

What about your diet? Wasn't it tough maintaining it?
(Smiles) I was always thin but I put on weight when I went to college, which everybody does, right? I never wanted to be an actress so there was no need for me to be slim. But at one point, it started getting unhealthy. I used to eat junk food like crazy. And it's not good because the skin becomes oily and you become lethargic and lazy. So what I did was I signed Saawariya when Black was being shot and started controlling my diet, exercising and dancing a lot. I lost the weight slowly.

So it's true that you lost 30 kilos?
Actually, 35! (Laughs)

How much did you weigh before?
86 kilos. (Makes a face). But really, it's very easy to lose weight.

Did you go to some dietician or doctor?
No, I did it on my own. The thing is that when you are young, it's very easy to lose weight. I just stopped eating junk food and controlled my sugar intake.

You have also been seen on the ramp a lot recently.
Anamika (Khanna) and I have a great equation and she asked me to do it, so I walked for the Couture Week. With Tarun (Tahiliani), it's the same thing. I can't say no to people who give me clothes all the time. And, I also love their sense of fashion. Anamika Khanna and Anuradha Vakil treat me like their doll whom they dress up all the time. I can't say no to them.
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But you said no to Kites?
No, I didn't. I would be a dumbo to say no to a film like that. It has Duggu (Hrithik Roshan), and Anurag (Basu) is my one of my favourite directors. You know I actually asked my dad to sign Anurag. I have seen all his films.

What about plans to work in your dad's project?
I would love to work in my dad's project if he thinks I am good enough to do his films. As of now, I haven't signed on the dotted line. I hope to soon. (Smiles)

Anything else you would like to add?
No, I am fine. (Laughs)

'Clothes are romantic, especially the ones with a past'
> Which is that one question you don't like being asked?
Anyone can ask me anything.
> One question you love answering.
I like talking about my film.
> Comments you didn't like?
I swear to you, I am not a person who gets offended by anything.
> Best compliment you have got for your clothes.
When someone says, 'Oh god Sonam, it's so you.' That's good because I know I am not aping anybody. When you have your own identity, it works.
> There was a particular black and white dress you wore...
It was Anamika Khanna's outfit. A lot of people loved it. Only your newspaper wrote bad things about the dress. It's a couture outfit. I still have it. I can send it to your office if you like. (Laughs)
> One word to describe Ranbir Kapoor?
A friend.
> Deepika Padukone.
Beautiful.
> Kunal Kapoor?
Who?
> Your favourite Indian designers?
Anamika Khanna, Anuradha Vakil and Sabyasachi Mukherjee.
> Comfort dress.
Pajamas.
> Are you brand crazy?
No, I am crazy about fashion. I like a lot of vintage stuff. And it's way cheaper than brands. But I like brands too. I think fashion designers are like artists and I like buying art. So yes, I do love brands. But I also like clothes that are beautiful and they need not necessarily be brands.
> You shop at flea markets then?
I shop a lot from flea markets and vintage stores... One Of The Kinds in London and Frock in New York. I will buy a YSL dress for $35 from Frock and wear it, dreaming about someone who wore it 35 years ago. Clothes are very romantic for me, especially the ones with a past.
> What about yourself?
I am completely a romantic at heart.
> What kind of love story do you dream of for yourself?
A passionate, amazing friendship... that's the love story I want.