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Wednesday January 31, 01:01 AM An interview with Sonia
Mehra
By IndiaFM News Bureau
 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.
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