No point in doing just entertaining cinema anymore: Sonam Kapoor
Mumbai: Actress Sonam Kapoor is riding high with her lauded performance in "Pad Man." She says it is important for her to play roles that reflect the social conscience in these "difficult times."
Excerpts from the interview:
- Congratulations, Sonam. After "Neerja," "Pad Man" is another high point in your career. Girl, you are evolving fast. So much at such a young age...
- Thank you. But I am not that young anymore... I have only directors like Ram Madhvani ("Neerja") and R.A Balki ("Pad Man") to thank for this. I am a director's actor. And I've never shied away taking on a role for its length. "Neerja" was all mine. But in "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag," I was there for just brief playing time.
Now "Pad Man" is probably not all mine. But it's essential for me to be part of cinema that addresses critical social issues. There is no point in just doing entertaining film anymore. That, to me, would be very khokhla (hollow). There has to be a relevance to it beyond just having a good time at the movies.
- Why do you say that?
- Because we are going through tough times. It's a challenging phase for us women. Those of us who have a platform and a voice must use it to express what we believe in. "Pad Man" addresses itself to the question of menstruation. It's a huge issue for a majority of woman in our country. It didn't take me long to say yes to "Pad Man". And I am so glad I did it.
- Farhan Akhtar was telling me he would not do roles that set the wrong precedent in today's troubled times. He wouldn't play a serial rapist or a child molester just to be challenged as an actor. Your take?
- I wouldn't mind doing a negative role provided it doesn't glorify the character or make her negativity a virtue. As an actor, we are put in a sensitive spot nowadays. I have to showcase my ideology while at the same time I need to do parts that challenge me as an actor. My next release "Veere Di Wedding" has me having a lot of fun with my female co-stars.
- Were you competitive on the sets of this chick flick with your co-stars Kareena Kapoor Khan, Swara Bhasker, and Shikha Talsania?
- Not at all. I am not competitive at all. If I were, the trajectory of my career would be different. No... And it's not a chick flick. It's a dramedy. We girls had a lot of fun shooting "Veere Di Wedding". I was working with Kareena Kapoor for the first time. I adore her. She is so beautiful and just not conscious of her looks.
- You are also working with your father Anil Kapoor for the first time.
- Yes, in a Yash Raj Films project that I'm shooting right now. We have done two ads together. But this is the first time we are shooting a feature film together. All I can tell you at the moment is that it's a different person I am shooting with as compared with my father at home.
- Has he let his beard grow grey to look like your father?
- Why don't you ask him? You get to speak to him more than I do.
- In "Pad Man," your relationship with your father played by actor Sunil Sinha is exceptional. Did you borrow from your relationship with your father?
- No. I didn't have to. The relationship was so beautifully written in the script. And my co-star was such a fantastic actor. I love working with actors who are more accomplished than me. It's the only way to learn on the job.
- Your character Pari is the catalyst which propels the protagonist's aspirations. Did you ever realize your role would be so pivotal?
- I firmly believe there is a woman behind every man's success. And why just a woman? Every successful man or woman has to have a support system.
- The menstruation issue is still kept under wraps in our home. The film makes us think about why we need to be so secretive and squeamish about a natural bodily function?
- It is a social conditioning. We are so used to talking about these things in hushed tones. We hope to open up a conversation with this film.
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Will push for Mekedatu balancing reservoir scheme: Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday asserted that the state government would push ahead with key irrigation and drinking water projects, including the long-pending Mekedatu balancing reservoir scheme that is being opposed by Tamil Nadu, while continuing to pursue approvals and resolve disputes with neighbouring states over river water sharing.
Presenting the budget for the year 2026-27 in the Assembly, Siddaramaiah highlighted several initiatives aimed at strengthening irrigation infrastructure, addressing water shortages and expanding drinking water supply across different river basins in the state.
"The dismissal of the petitions filed by the State of Tamil Nadu in the Supreme Court with regard to flagship Mekedatu scheme is a significant legal victory for our state," he said about the neighbouring state's objection over the project, which envisages utilising Cauvery water.
In light of this judgement, a revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) along with a proposal for forest clearance will be submitted shortly to the Government of India, Siddaramaiah said.
The Mekedatu project has been a contentious issue between Karnataka and neighbouring Tamil Nadu, which has repeatedly opposed the project citing concerns over downstream water availability as regards the inter-state river.
The CM also referred to the progress made under the Yettinahole Comprehensive Drinking Water Project (YCDWP).
"The first phase of lift irrigation works of the YCDWP has been commissioned successfully," he said, adding that the remaining 18.73 km canal works in the second phase will be completed shortly.
"To impound excess water, a balancing reservoir of 1.2 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) capacity will be constructed near Vaderahalli in Koratagere taluk," Siddaramaiah said.
He also announced progress in the Upper Bhadra Project after resolution of a long-standing land dispute.
Consequently, the 135-km long Chitradurga branch canal and associated feeder works will be completed by 2027, enabling the filling up of 157 tanks in the region.
The chief minister noted that despite the project's national importance, the Centre has not released funds.
"Although no funds have been released by the Central Government, Rs 11,343 crore has been incurred by the state government for this project," he said.
Siddaramaiah also announced compensation measures related to the raising of the Almatti dam height under the Upper Krishna Project (UKP).
Under the revised compensation package, the government has fixed Rs 30 lakh per acre for dry land and Rs 40 lakh per acre for wet land.
The replacement of 33 dilapidated gates of the Tungabhadra Dam with new gates will be completed before the onset of monsoon.
To address the reduction in storage capacity caused by silt accumulation, the government is exploring alternative measures.
"Alternative measures including the construction of a balancing reservoir near Navali in Koppal district are already under consideration," he said.
Siddaramaiah said the state would intensify efforts to implement an alternative scheme in consultation with neighbouring states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, with the concurrence of the Tungabhadra Board.
He criticised the Centre for the "delays" in approvals for the Kalasa-Bandura project under the Mahadayi basin.
He alleged that the requisite forest clearance has not yet been received from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the National Board for Wildlife.
Announcing new schemes, Siddaramaiah said the Uduthore Halla project would be implemented in Hanur taluk of Chamarajanagar district at a cost of Rs 490 crore that would provide drinking water and irrigate 12,000 acres of suffering command area.
In-principle approval would be granted for the construction of a 0.67 TMC impounding reservoir at Babanagar in Vijayapura under the Tubachi-Babaleshwara scheme.
In a broader push to expand irrigation coverage, he said priority would be given to completing several ongoing projects.
Overall, the government plans to undertake 75 irrigation works worth Rs 8,045 crore across major river basins including the Krishna, Cauvery and Godavari.
The government will also focus on improving water-use efficiency through modern irrigation systems by adopting a Pressured Piped Network system of irrigation in 4,745 hectares of command area under the Hattikuni and Tungabhadra Left Bank Branch Canal, Siddaramaiah said.
In the minor irrigation sector, the chief minister announced several tank-filling and rejuvenation projects, including the third phase of the Hebbala-Nagawara Valley project which will fill 164 tanks at an estimated cost of Rs 237 crore.
Siddaramaiah also said the state government has approved 112 works including lift irrigation projects, check dams and tank rejuvenation schemes at a cost of Rs 1,793 crore for 2025-26.
