Bold and beautiful
S.R.ASHOK KUMAR
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Numbers don't interest Sonia Aggarwal, who has managed to stand out in the films she has acted in.
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A STAR TO RECKON WITH: Sonia Aggarwal.
From ``Kadhal Kondein," in which she made her debut, to "Pudhupettai" (both directed by Selvaraghavan), Sonia Aggarwal has come a long way.
Recently, her performance in ``Thiruttupayale" won her much acclaim. Although she has never been in the so-called number one league, she is a star to reckon with. Excerpts from an interview:
Was it your ambition to become an actor?
Not really. Back home in Chandigarh, I was modelling. Acting was rather an accident. I was selected to do a Telugu film.
I went to Mumbai and got myself enrolled in Roshan Taneja's acting school. I completed the course but lost interest in acting.
May be because from the heroine's role, I was moved to the secondary role in the Telugu film.
I decided to pursue modelling, with Mumbai as the base. It was at that point of time that I was offered "Kadhal Kondein" and I accepted it, albeit with misgivings.
After the release of the film, my attitude changed and now there's no looking back.
How did your family react?
My father is a businessman and my mother a housewife. Both were taken aback when I said I was going to act in movies but soon came to terms with it. Now they watch all my films and are quite happy with my decision.
But you don't seem to aim for the Number One spot... Well, being Number One was never my aim. I wanted to do roles that would prove me as an actor, give me an identity. I think I'm heading in the right direction.
The other day, at a function, a woman came up to me and said that I had done very well in both `Pudhupettai' and `Thiruttupayale.' She appreciated the way I had tackled the two different roles. And said I had matured as an actor.
Such feedback gives me immense confidence. I simply have no regrets.
How do you handle gossip?
In the beginning, I used to get very upset. Especially when there was no grain of truth. Slowly I reconciled myself to the fact that that is the price one has to pay for fame. Nowadays I brush it aside.
With the exception of Vijay, you have not appeared with any top star. Why?
My criterion was the role and nothing else mattered. When Vijay's film came my way I was happy and director Madesh gave me a role that had scope for my talent.
In Silambarasan's movie Angel's character was quite an important one. That's why I have done less number of movies.
From the soft characters that you had been playing, `Thiruttupayale' was a little daring, especially the two-piece costume.
I have appeared in two-piece costumes in other languages. Director Susi Ganesan had told me about this even when he narrated the story to me. I agreed but said I would choose the design myself. The director didn't object. And the short skirt-top combination went down well with the audience.
Your plans for the future? Chennai is where I'll stay on. My career is here and all my friends and well-wishers are here. I don't plan to go back home right now.
I'll choose movies and roles that are meaty. I wouldn't mind carrying an entire film on my shoulders. Challenge, that's what I want.
Who are your favourite film personalities?
I always liked Simran. After watching "Chandramukhi" I started liking Jyotika. She has done very well in the film.
I like Vijay and Suriya. And also Dhanush and Srikanth with whom I have worked.
Among the directors, I like Karu.Pazhaniappan and Selvaragavan. I'm waiting for an opportunity to work with Mani Ratnam.
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