Sonam Kapoor is a disembodied voice down the phone.
The lady who takes my call clearly needs to pull the young actress away from something else she’s busy with. For several minutes I run up the office phone bill as I wait for Sonam to disengage herself from whatever it is she’s doing.
From the stray comments floating down the line, it seems like she’s trying to get rid of someone else.
Kapoor’s latest film, “Aisha”, which opens across the UAE today, is a family affair that has been produced by her father, Anil Kapoor and her sister, Rhea Kapoor. Accordingly, Sonam has been everywhere recently, talking to the media ad nauseum.
But the Sonam we’ve all been talking to over the past few weeks seems to be a toned-down version of the firebrand actress who was unhesitatingly spoke her mind and was unafraid to call fiction writer Shobhaa Dé a writer of soft porn.
So I’m not expecting she will offer anything particularly titillating – except right at the end, when I get a lecture for asking about her personal life. I tell her it’s my job, that our readers head right to stories about celebrity romance, but she’s having none of it.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. By the time Kapoor gets to the phone, Bollywood’s current It girl sounds distracted and eager to be done with the tedious business of interviews.
I get right to it.
Aisha is an adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel, “Emma”. What was the most difficult thing about the role?
I’d have to say that was the need to be constantly perfect all the time.
From the moment she wakes up, Aisha is supposed to look beautiful, and it’s supposed to come across effortlessly – that’s the character. In reality, it’s anything but! It’s not that easy at all.
So your character has over 100 costume changes?
It was like being a girl dressing up, because I had gorgeous clothes and some beautiful bags.
What sort of preparation did the role require? Did you actually do anything apart from try on lots of clothes, then?
I needed to listen to a lot of music for the character. I read the book several times.
Then I wrote a character sketch of how I interpreted the character and showed that to Rajshree [Ojha, the director], and we discussed how she saw the role. Then I reworked the character sketch, then…
What was it like kissing Abhay Deol?
It was work. It was a job.
You’ve got quite a few films in hand: “Mausam”, “Thank You”, that “Freaky Friday” adaptation… which one are you particularly looking forward to?
Each is a different challenge. I don’t take on anything unless it’s challenging, otherwise there’s no point. So I can’t choose, because I’m doing them all for different reasons.
So what’s the truth on those Hollywood offers? It’s been reported that you’ve been offered two films, with Ben Stiller and Edoardo Ponti, respectively?
I’ve been getting offers for some time now, but it’s all a matter of timing and dates. It doesn’t matter what language the film is in as long as the role is a great role. Doing either of those films really depends on whether our dates coincide – and it really is too early to tell.
That sounds like you don’t agree with you dad – who was quoted recently as saying you should establish yourself in Bollywood before considering an international career?
I usually go with Dad’s advice. He’s been in this field for far longer than I have, and he’s much more experienced!
In any other industry, we’d say you’ve joined the family business. Didn’t you want to do anything else?
I wanted to be a writer, but you never really stop writing, so I can still do that! And if I can find the time to write a script, I’d very much like to and then see where it goes.
What about this fashion line you reportedly want to launch? Is that something you’re going to get around to soon?
It’s something else I want to work on when I can find the time.
I don’t chalk out my plan for the next 10 years! I don’t even have time to call my friends! I wish there were more than 24 hours in the day! But to answer your question, my mum used to be a jewellery designer, doing only couture pieces, for the longest time. If I can do something my dad does, it’s not that much of a surprise if I follow my mum’s career footsteps. So yes, it’ll happen as soon as I can find the time!
How would you define your style?
I’m an individualist. I enjoy everything, I’m not fixated on a particular designer and I really like vintage clothes because they have depth and history. With vintage clothes, it’s like you can peel away different layers, and each exposes a different dimension. I like that, I like history, I like old things. But it’s not just about designer gear, it could be address from Topshop. It’s like I don’t have a favourite co-star. Variety is the spice of life.
Who would you say your style icons are?
Audrey Hepburn, who made Givenchy Givenchy. Marilyn Monroe for her combination of sexuality and elegance. Jackie Kennedy, Kate Moss, Princess Rania, Maharani Gayatri Devi. Each of them has or had their own distinct look, they knew what they wanted very clearly.
So quite the classical look, then?
They’re considered classics now, at the time what Audrey Hepburn wore was very cutting-edge. Those pants in “Funny Face”, for instance! Or Monroe’s kitten heels. Like Madonna’s pointy bustier, these women defined the look and turned those pieces into classics. That’s why they’re icons.
OK. Your real-life “Emma” moment was introducing your brother Harsh to Priyanka Chopra? [On Twitter recently, she posted a note to Chopra: “My brother thinks you are the hottest woman alive and wants you to know he is young, single and very good looking.” Chopra played along: “That's a thought pl tell him thanks so much and I am in the same category. Looking forward to getting to know him."] What was that about?
I only did it because he asked me to! He thinks she’s one of the hottest actresses, and I agree. He made me do it, and I would totally do it, because I think Priyanka’s very sweet, too. But I don’t know what’s happened after that, whether they’ve pursued it or not.
And you? Are you dating Punit Malhotra or are you single?
I’m not dating him and I’m still very much single. And even if I wasn’t, I wouldn’t tell you – or any other journalist! I never discuss money or my personal life in public, I think that’s just tacky.
Aisha opens across the UAE today.