I would love to work with them in Telugu : Sonakshi Sinha

Sonakshi Sinha, who played one of the leading ladies in 'Lingaa', says that she is very nervous and excited about the release South debut movie. In an exclusive interview with Indiaglitz, Sonakshi talks about what made her sign the film, her working experience with Rajinikanth, her journey with the team, about with whom she wants to work with in Telugu etc.

Excerpts from the interview.

What made you sign 'Lingaa' ? Was it the script or the fact that it is Super Star Rajinikanth's film ?

I was shooting for the film, 'Tevar', when I got the offer of 'Lingaa'. My producer Boney Kapoor came to me and said that some Tamil producers want to discuss a project with me and it was Rajinikanth's film. There and then I had made up my mind that if I had to make my debut in Tamil films, who better than to make it with the best of the best. Then I heard the script. It is a wonderful script and the film was going to be made on a huge scale. I truly felt fortunate that I got the opportunity to be a part of the film. Of course Rajinikanth did have a big part to play in it. But story was also the reason why I signed the film.

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What was your parent's reaction, especially your father's when you signed this film ?

I was shooting for the film, 'Tevar', when I got the offer of 'Lingaa'. My producer Boney Kapoor came to me and said that some Tamil producers want to discuss a project with me and it was Rajinikanth's film. There and then I had madeWhen my father heard that I was doing a film with Rajini sir, he was quite amused actually. Because they are friends. But my father also knew that I couldn't get a better Tamil debut than this. He knew that Rajini sir would make sure that there was nothing I would be uncomfortable about and I would be well taken care of.

Did you also feel daunted that you will be part of a Tamil film ?

I thought about it before doing a Tamil film. Because I don't understand the language and can't speak it. But I am a kind of person that once I take up something, I will make sure that I will see through till the end. I felt "Ok, let's do this". I was sure that I will be getting a lot of help from people on sets, which I actually did. Right from my co actors, Rajinikanth sir, Ravikumar sir and others, everyone helped me a lot with the language, in getting the expressions right, in getting the pronunciation right, the dialogues and everything. They even helped me with prompting. They made sure that I was comfortable.

How was it working with Rajinikanth ? You might have heard a lot about him from your father ?

Everybody knows how big a star Rajinikanth is. He is a Super Star. We all heard about the kind of admiration, the kind of love, the kind of respect he draws from everyone and the way he is worshipped by the people. When I started working with him, I realized what a humble, what a simple and what a gentle human being he is. He is truly a gem of a person. He is very down to earth and doesn't feel like a big star. I feel it so amazing that after being in the industry for so long time and sustaining that kind of stardom and that kind of power, he is so down to earth. I think it is a very admirable quality. It is an absolute pleasure working with him.

How did he help you go through the scene ? You must have quite a few romantic scenes with him ? How did he ensure the comfort ?

I played a character in the 1940s. At that point of time, the love stories were not very physical. It was always about expressions, it was always about talking through the eyes and it was more about the dialogues and the overall feeling. It was not something about either Rajini sir would be uncomfortable doing or I would be uncomfortable doing it. That was taken care of right from the scripting stage itself. Sharing the screen space with him is truly an honour. Everyone in the team is very helpful on the sets. They treated me with a lot of patience and encouraged me a lot.

Did you do any home work for the Bharathi role or just went to the sets with a clean slate and did what the director said ?

I am actually a kind of actress, who does prefer to go to any set with a clean slate. I believe in speaking with my director, because I feel that their vision is stronger than anyone else's. I will speak to them and we will come to a mid way ground where I have my own inputs. Some directors give you freedom, some guide you and some want you to do what they exactly they want to. KSR sir used to tell me what to do, because he knew that I don't know the language. He helped me so much and I am very thankful to him. If people appreciate my performance, please don't give me any credit. It is all KSR sir's.

How challenging was Bharathi character for you ? How did you push the envelope ?

People wouldn't expect me to make a début with such a simple, village character in the 1940s. Some of K.S.Ravikumar's friends in the industry, who watched the film, were shocked that I played such a character and they said that I had done good job with the dialogues, even though I don't know the language. That way I think that it was pushing the envelope. I played a character, which is far away from what I am in real life. I played a person, who helps in building a dam. I am literally doing labour job through out the shooting. So it was very challenging for me. I've realized that anything that really pushes my limits is which I will be proud of after some time. Even before the release of the film, I've been getting a good feed back for the song and teaser. So this film will have a special place in my heart.

Bharathi is a girl in the village, who is actually the most educated and when you ask her, she says she is educated till 4th standard. That point of time, that was a huge deal to send a girl to a school and to be educated till 4th standard. That point of time, women used to not do the jobs, men used to do. Bharathi was the first girl in the village, who steps forward and says I want to work and I want to help. That's when the other women villagers follow her and help in putting the dam together. I played a very enterprising girl. She is funny and innocent. I really enjoyed playing the character.

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Sonakshi Sinha, who played one of the leading ladies in 'Lingaa', says that she is very nervous and excited about the release South debut movie. In an exclusive interview with Indiaglitz, Sonakshi talks about what made her sign the film, her working experience with Rajinikanth, her journey with the team, about with whom she wants to work with in Telugu etc.