Happy Birthday Sonam Kapoor: 5 roles of the actress that prove she is a risk taker

New Delhi: Sonam Kapoor is one of the most popular actress’ of recent times. From film circles to social networking sites, the glamorous diva has millions of followers all around the world. Known for her style and fashion sense, Sonam Kapoor is usually the first choice of every designer and fashion brand but according to the critics, the lady is yet to prove herself on the acting front.

Interestingly, while most critics diss her acting skills, they also laud her choice of films. Right from her debut film, ‘Saawariya’, Kapoor has always gone for roles that are quite challenging and has refrained from repeating herself.

As the actress turns 30 on June 9th, here are five films where Sonam took the risk of doing offbeat characters which were author backed and gave her the ability to perform and not just be a glam doll.

1) Saawariya

The debut film of the actress, ‘Saawariya’ was directed by method-director Sanjay leela Bhansali. The actress assisted him in the making of ‘Black’ and it was there she caught the ace film-maker’s eye. Now, who all can claim to get a dream debut with a

director whose made critically as well as commercially acclaimed films like ‘Devdas’, ‘Black’ and ‘Khamoshi’? The star daughter went through rigorous training to get her part right in her first film. Though the film was not a commercial success, the actress proved that she is here to stay and willing to work in off beat films.

A bold- entry indeed.

2) Delhi-6

After a dream launch by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the actress was seen next in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s political film ‘Delhi-6’. Her role of an aspiring singer who lives in the narrow lanes of ‘Purani Dilli’ was appreciated for being real and many called her character of Bittu Sharma a revelation in the film. The film was a critical success but was unable to mint money at the box office. Though Kapoor managed to establish the fact that she is here in the show-biz to choose different and appealing roles.

3) Aisha

The story of elite modern class of Delhi was told beautifully in this hindi adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma. Sonam played the title role and her innocence and vulnerability in the film was appreciated. She played the character with much ease as it showed us the ‘traces’ of real Sonam Kapoor on reel. The film was through and through a Kapoor film despite having actors like Ira Dubey and Abey Deol in the cast. Her character was totally different from her past roles and gave her fans a glimpse of the diva she is.

4) Raanjhanaa

Anand L Rai’s ‘Raanjhanaa’ is considered as a turning point in Sonam’s career by many critics. She played the character of Zoya Siddhiqui, a middle class Muslim residing in Varanasi. Her transition from an innocent and vulnerable teenager to a manipulative and rational political activist was appreciated in the film. ‘Zoya’ was strong, confident and selfish and at the same time vulnerable and foolish. The challenge was taken up well by the talented Sonam and the movie was a commercial success as well. The film helped Sonam is proving her acting prowess and she managed to prove her critics wrong who had termed her as just a fashionista without any talent.

5) Khoobsoorat

Sonam Kapoor took another challenge when she decided to portray ‘Milli’ in Shashanka Ghosh’s ‘Khoobsurat’. The film was loosely based 1980 film of the same name starring Rekha. Sonam was aware of the fact that similarities and comparisons with the legendary actress would follow her throughout the making of the film. Still she took up the challenge and played a comic role with as much ease as she carries her designer gown on the red carpet. This film was a major commercial success and her quirky ‘Milli’ lived upto the expectations of many. The movie was again different and a new experience for the ‘fashionista’, but she made us laugh with her ‘loud’ character in a fairytale story.

Sonam has always tried to experiment with her characters and has reated a niche that is different from other actress’ in the industry. Her films have a strong potential for her character and proves that she gives it a lot of thought before choosing her roles. While she is still in the process of getting a unanimous vote on her acting skills, she has always tried to take up new challenges. Fashion or films this style diva has our support and we hope that she again prove her metal in her forthcoming biopic ‘Neerja’ where again she is portraying the role of ‘brave heart airhostess Neerja Bhanot, who was murdered while saving passengers from terrorists on board the hijacked Pan Am Flight 73. The biopic is being directed by Ram Madhvani.

More power to you girl!