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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Delhi HC refuses anticipatory bail to Puja Khedkar in UPSC cheating case
New Delhi (PTI): Delhi High Court on Monday refused to grant anticipatory bail to former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar in the criminal case lodged against her for alleged cheating and wrongly availing of OBC and disability quota benefits in the civil services examination.
"Anticipatory bail plea is dismissed. Interim protection from arrest is vacated," Justice Chandra Dhari Singh said while ruling on the plea.
Justice Singh said a strong prima facie case was made out against Khedkar and investigation was required to unearth the conspiracy.
It was a classic case of fraud committed on a constitutional body as well as society, the judge said.
Khedkar is accused of misrepresenting information in her application for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, 2022, to get reservation benefits.
The counsel for the Delhi Police as well as the complainant, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), opposed the plea for pre-arrest bail.
The UPSC was represented by senior advocate Naresh Kaushik and lawyer Vardhman Kaushik.
Khedkar has denied all allegations against her.
The UPSC initiated a series of actions against Khedkar in July, including lodging a criminal case, for availing attempts in the civil services exam by faking her identity.
The Delhi Police registered an FIR under provisions of the Indian Penal Code, Information Technology Act and Right of Persons with Disabilities Act.
