Sonakshi Sinha: I will star in our home production

Sonakshi Sinha opens up about her family project, admits that Action Jackson didn't turn out the way she expected, asserts she can't see anyone else playing Rajjo in Dabangg.

Your glam prop role in your last film, Action Jackson, disappointed. Will AK Murugadoss's Akira be any different?
My role eventually turned out to be something entirely different. But when I commit to something, I believe in doing it with conviction. Action Jackson and Akira are different films, made by different people with different characters. Akira is a character people will relate to. 

Your director turned the character around, from a guy to a girl. How much has Akira changed from the Tamil original Mounaguru?
Akira is different from the original now that it has a female protagonist and has been adapted to the sensibilities of a Hindi film audience. Murugadoss sir's gift came with a strong sense of responsibility. When briefing me, he pointed out that we'd both been part of films which featured male superstars. This film is riding on us. 

Konkona Sen Sharma plays a cop in the film... apprehensive about getting overshadowed?
Konkana is a fantastic actress. I'm looking forward to the shoot. Actors feed off each others energy, being in the same frame with her will only enhance my performance. 

While other heroines are signing films every week, you have your hopes pinned on Akira. Why the go-slow strategy?
Who is snapping up films every week? They're either working on the films they've signed or waiting for them to release. There are hardly any films on the floors. The boxoffice lull has affected everyone. It's better to take things slow than jump into something just to have films in your kitty. I've worked at breakneck speed for the last four years. Now I'm enjoying doing one film at a time. 

After shooting for the actionpacked Akira, do you feel confident to take on a Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar or Ajay Devgn?
Mixed martial arts are new to me. But I was sporty when in school and college and I adapted well. I started training a month before the shoot and am continuing with it. It's gruelling, I've injured my wrist, back and knee. As for taking on Salman, Akshay and Ajay, why would I do that? It would be cooler to be on the same team with them. 

Buzz is, Dabbang 3 will take off in mid-2016. An eightyear-old reality show contestant, Akshat Singh, claims he's playing junior Chulbul Pandey. Can you ever see anyone else playing Rajjo?
Clearly this eight year old knows much more than me. The script is still being developed. I will always be Rajjo. Dabangg is my identity, it's a film I will always be proud of. I can't see anyone else playing Rajjo. 

After saying you're just a bathroom singer you are judging moophat kids on Indian Idol Junior. What made you take on the challenge?
I love to sing and dance even though I've had no formal training. I can't judge these kids but I can encourage, support and help them with tips on stage presence and performance. And I'll learn some singing from them. It'll be fun! If kids are moophat, what makes you think I'm any less? 

How about hosting a talk show on issues your dad's government is grappling with?
Why do I need to host a show on my father's field of expertise? If I do one, it'll be about something I excel in. 

Your home production was to take off this year. Any updates?
A script has been finalised. Once the formalities are done, an announcement will be made. And yes, I will be starring in it. 

In retrospect, was Lingaa opposite Rajinikanth, your father's contemporary, a mistake?
Why would it be a mistake? It gave me the biggest debut in Tamil cinema. My performance was appreciated. I've got more offers. I would love to do more films in the South. 

Many of your contemporaries have turned philanthropists. Why not you?
I was part of an eye donation campaign last year, I've walked for cancer patients and Mijwan. My father is the is chairman of Prayas which helps women and children. I also helped in the Nepal earthquake relief. Just because I don't go to town about it, doesn't mean I don't do it. 

At a time when other heroines are looking skeletal, you are advocating curves. What makes for a perfect figure?
There is no such thing as perfection. The world is made up of people of different shapes and sizes. That's the beauty of it. What matters is that you're healthy. Just as its wrong to discriminate on the basis of colour, creed and gender, it's wrong to discriminate on size. That irritates me!