Sonam Kapoor

Sonam was born on June 9, 1985 in Chembur, Bombay, India in the Kapoor family, which consists of Punjabi-speaking dad, Anil, Sindhi-speaking mom, Sunita (nee Bhambhani), sister, Rhea and brother, Harshwardhana. She is the niece of film-maker Boney Kapoor, and actor, Sanjay Kapoor. The family has good connections within the Indian movie industry commonly known as Bollywood. Boney's wife is noted yesteryear film actress Sridevi. Her cousin, Arjun, Boney's son is an up and coming movie director.

She completed her schooling from Arya Vidya Mandir and majored in Theater and Chinese History from United World College of East Asia. She then also majored in Political Science and Economics from Bombay University.

She was considerably overweight, but when she decided to act, she shed those extra pounds, took good care of her skin and eyebrows, also took dance lessons, as well as acting and diction classes. Her mom, who came from a business family, did not initially approve of her taking to acting and preferred that she get a college education, and then eventually marry and settle down.

She assisted Sanjay Leela Bhansali during the filming of 'Black' and often went to Mumbai's notorious Chor Bazar near Grant Road Railway Station to for props.

She has made her first appearance in Bollywood with 'Saanwariya' opposite another débutante, Ranbir Kapoor, the son of Neetu Singh and Rishi Kapoor.

A person of varied interests she loves to read, write, paint, go shopping, and video games, basket-ball and squash. She is proficient in Sindhi, Hindi, and Punjabi.

Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor, who turned 24 recently, says she always wanted to be a star and not just another actor.

"For me, stardom is a new and novel experience... it's lovely. That's why I became a film actor... I wanted that... I wanted to act and be something. If I only wanted to be an actor, I would have done theatre. But I actually wanted to be a star and I make no bones about that," Sonam told IANS in an interview here.

Sonam, who made her Bollywood debut in 2007 with "Saawariya" and later featured in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's "Delhi 6", says stardom definitely brings more pressure but she knows how to manage it.

"There is added pressure but I have been brought up in a way that I am confident of who I am," she said.

The actress is also aware of the three-decade-old body of her father Anil Kapoor carries behind him and says besides looking up to him for advice, she also takes due advantage of being his daughter.

"My dad says he survived in the industry for 30 years because he didn't concentrate on what people wanted him to do, but what he was convinced about. He was not part of the rat race and that's what I am going to do - that's what I have learnt from him.

"I am not part of the rat race. I just want to do films. Having someone like him in my family is an advantage and I make complete use of the fact," she added.

Sonam is at the ongoing International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards for her first stage performance and says she is extremely nervous.

"I am nervous. I have butterflies in my stomach that are going all the way up to my head. The dress that I am wearing is very elaborate. It's by Anamika Khanna and is pink, red and black in colour and has a lot of glitter and sequins like most show outfits. I hope the outfit stays. But I am excited as well," she said

On the occasion of her 24th birthday, Sonam Kapoor lists down few of her favourite things in a candid chat with Renuka Vyavahare. Who is Sonam Kapoor?
Sonam is a non-conformist Three words that best describe Sonam...
Romantic, mad, nerd Working with Sanjay Bhansali was...
The best roller coaster ride ever. Anil Kapoor as dad/ mentor
As a dad he is the Best dad – he spoils me rotten, as a mentor he is a tough task master Mum is My security blanket who showers me with love. Fitness funda?
Is not about being size 0 but about being healthy. My trainer Monisha deserves for keeping me fit. Bollywood’s hottest men are?
Ranbir Kapoor, Imraan Khan, Akshay Kumar and Shah Rukh Khan Hollywood’s hottest men are? Johnny Depp, Leonardo-Di-Caprio. Christian Bale is super hot. Bollywood’s hottest actresses are? Kareena, Priyanka, Rani and Madhuri Dixit Hollywood’s hottest women are?
Maggie Gyllenhaal, Monica Belluci, Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn
Favourite films?
Children of Heaven, Devdas, Guide, Kagaaz Ke Phool, Rang De Basanti, City of God
Favourite Novels?
All Jane Austen novels, especially Pride & Prejudice, Emma. Frankenstein and all Archie novels are favourite too.
Favourite Quote
‘Incognito Ergo Sum’ (I think therefore I am)

For her 24th birthday today, Sonam Kapoor could not have expected any gift like the invite that came from a leading Hollywood trade magazine to be
featured in its Gen Next section along with other young cinema stars from Asia.


Interestingly, in this day and age of the Internet and e-mail, Sonam received the good news from the friendly neighbourhood postman who dropped a letter from the magazine at the Kapoor’s JVPD residence.

“Selective young talents are being featured here. I attribute this little achievement to the India Shining movement which the world is so high on now. And also because I am Anil Kapoor’s daughter,” said the actress whose classic beauty was one of the reasons the magazine selected her.

This is the first time an Indian talent has been acknowledged in a western trade platform. “It’s very encouraging for youngsters like me and a great platform for any actor,” said Sonam.

Her own Gen Next idol is Natalie Portman, the Israeli-American actress of the Star Wars prequel trilogy and other films like Closer, Where The Heart Is. “The way she has handled her life and career fascinates me. She is intelligent, talks her mind and is socially very conscious. I totally connect with her,” said Sonam who someday hopes to work with Hollywood directors like Martin Scorcese, Sam Mendes, Pedro Almodovar, David Fincher, Mike Nicholas and Woody Allen.

“I am open to offers from world cinema. I will accept any script which has a substantial role for me from any part of the world. It could be in French, Spanish, English or any other language,” said the actress eagerly. Meanwhile, the Hollywood magazine call is not her biggest birthday gift. “My most precious gift is that my family is together on my birthday after a long time, so it’s really special,” she revealed. Celebrations are at home after which Sonam will be leaving for an international awards function.

It was said about the legendary Sahibaan that when she stepped out into the gallis of Punjab, the nine angels that guard the spheres died on seeing her beauty.

And Sonam Kapoor, Bollywood's IT girl, is all set to play the ethereal Sahibaan in an ambitious screen adaptation by filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra.

While there have been many screen adaptations in Hindi and Punjabi of legendary romances like Heer-Ranjha, Laila-Majnu and Sohni-Mahiwal, so far no prominent film in Hindi is based on the Mirza-Sahibaan love story. And it's probably because of the complicated nature of their relationship.

According to sources, the idea came to Rakeysh during the making of Delhi-6.

"Rakeysh would address Sonam as 'Bittu', the character she played in Delhi-6. Then suddenly one day he started calling Sonam 'Sahibaan'. At first Sonam was baffled by this new name from Rakeysh who would pamper her to no end. But as the historical perspective and the literary antecedents of the character began to seep in, Sonam grew excited about the project and began
to pester Rakeysh about the project," said the source. For the actress, who is at the moment busy playing the Delhi socialite's version in Ayesha, which is based on Jane Austen's Emma, this would be the first occasion to do a costume drama. The fact that Sonam had was dressed in elaborate costumes in her debut Saawariya gave Rakeysh the idea that his 'Bittu' could indeed be his 'Sahibaan'.

It's not yet known who will play Sahibaan's lover, Mirza. But rumours have it that Abhishek Bachchan will play the role.

Confirming that Mirza-Sahibaan is indeed in the pipeline, Rakeysh Mehra
said, "But, I still have to get down to writing it."

About Mirza Sahibaan

Mirza and Sahibaan were cousins and childhood playmates who fell in love with each other. When Sahibaan was promised to another suitor, she sent a message to Mirza asking him to rescue her, which he did on her wedding day. After travelling for some time, the couple decided to rest for some time. However, when Sahibaan's brothers learnt that the couple has eloped, they went in search for her. When Mirza was asleep, Sahiban feared that Mirza would kill her brothers.

So she quietly took Mirza's quiver and hung it on a branch, out of his reach. When her brothers caught up with them, Sahibaan woke up Mirza who reached for his quiver. But before that one of her brothers' arrows hit him. Before dying, Mirza looked accusingly at Sahibaan and said, "Bura kitoyee Sahibaan, mera turkish tangiya jand!" Which means: Sahibaan, you did a terrible thing by hanging the quiver away from my reach! A sobbing Sahibaan threw herself over Mirza's body to cover him from being injured further. She too died.