Sonia Mehra: Actor kid in the making

Courtesy: IndiaFM
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Sonia Mehra the daughter of Late Vinod Mehra is the new kid on the block. She has been trained under Anupam Kher's acting school and is all set to make her debut in films with Victoria No.203. Here's talking to her about her new film and her training years.

Did you always want to become an actress?
Yes I always wanted to become an actress ever since I can remember. I was born wanting to get into films.

Aren't you nervous about creating a mark in the industry with the amount of cut throat competition amongst actors?
At the end of the day why should I be nervous, because life is like that? In today's world - be it medicine, business, computers, technical, etc, there is competition. In every field you have to try and do your best. You have to prove yourself because at the end of it the winner is the one who shows that he or she has the skills and that they are talented to be successful in what they do. And if I show my talent in this field of acting and the audience accepts me, they will like me. I'm not afraid of a challenge and I am quite excited more than nervous.

Aren't you doing UTV's Bombay High?
Actually I haven't got the role in Bombay High, there was a slight misunderstanding. I was offered the film by UTV but when I went to sign the contract they said they had some formalities to complete with their UTV team and that they haven't completed the script as yet. They said that they would get back to me; I wasn't bound by any contract. I was told that there would be one main test shoot and according to the test shoot they would decide whether I would get the film.

You have been trained in Anupam Kher's School of acting and London academy of music and arts. How important is it according to you for an actor to take professional training?
In a way it is very important. I will give you an example of myself. I am a theatre actress I have been trained in acting since I was nine. We were taught that you are free to use your body, your arms and your expressions, because in theatre you have to emote for the last person in the last row. Whereas in films as I was taught in Anupamji's School that you have to control these emotions and contract everything because the camera captures even the slightest little expression. So it's important to be trained to know the difference; to know how much you need to emote and how much effort you need to put in to show your emotions. But then again people say acting comes naturally, some people train for years and years and still can't get that. But in a way if you have it in you, and train yourself properly it makes a difference.

You are doing the remake of Victoria No.203, how did it happen?
Well all the credit goes to Anupamji .When I moved to Mumbai in December 2005 we shifted into a new building and there was this man who was designing our house. He told us that there is a movie called Victoria No.203 and they are remaking it, and would love me to play a role in it. We said ok and he took my photos, but that was long time ago and then nothing happened. Then I read about Amrita Arora getting the film. Then very recently they had started shooting for the film. Something happened with Amrita and she opted out of the film. Anupamji, then, took my photograph and showed it to Kamal Sadanah (the producer). Kamal really liked me, he did a test shoot and before I knew I was on the team. It was all because of Anupamji's praising and telling them that I am brilliant actor that I bagged the role.

Tell us something about your role in the film?
My role was played initially by the legendary Saira Banuji. I am very nervous about the role because I respect Sairaji so much; she was brilliant in the movie. About the character as such she is very innocent, but has this sexy side to her, she comes from a middleclass family. But everything she does in the movie is to help get her father out of jail.

You play the role of Saira Banu, how challenging was it for you to portray the character?
If I do half as well as Saira Banuji did in the film I would be very proud and happy about myself.

Do you think it is important to have a mentor to get into our industry?
I guess it is because at the end of the day the industry works only when you have connections or mentors. It's not like you won't have a chance but it always helps to have a mentor.

Which amongst your father's films is your favourite?
I have loved Karz which was my favourite film; he also did one with Amitji (Khuddar) and The Burning Train. These three are my top three favourites

Are there any directors you are keen on working with?
I would love to work with Karan Johar, Sanjay Leela Bansali, Kunal Kohli and Rakesh Omprakash Mehra.

Which other projects are you working on?
Nothing as yet! Victoria No. 203 is my first release and all other movies which I sign or I shoot for have to be released after the release of Victoria.

Recent Stories
Preity Zinta's Birthday
Tusshar speaks on close buddy Bebo

Archives