From style statements to strong scripts Sonam Kapoor has done it all.
Bollywood’s style icon Sonam Kapoor turns 40 today. The daughter of veteran actor Anil Kapoor, Sonam began her journey in cinema behind the camera as an assistant director on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Black’. She stepped into the spotlight with her acting debut in Bhansali’s romantic drama ‘Saawariya’. While the film didn’t fare well at the box office, her first taste of commercial success came with the rom-com ‘I Hate Luv Storys’. Over the years, she’s given us a range of performances that proved her acting chops. Here’s a look back at some of her memorable roles.
‘Raanjhanaa’, a romantic drama helmed by Aanand L. Rai, featured Dhanush in his Hindi film debut alongside Sonam Kapoor, Abhay Deol, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, and Swara Bhaskar. Sonam Kapoor embraced a de-glam look for her role as Zoya Haider, a schoolgirl. Describing her character, Kapoor said, “Zoya is childlike and unpredictable. She can be cold, yet objective.” She also revealed that she drew inspiration from Jaya Bachchan’s performance in ‘Guddi’ for her character. The film struck a chord with audiences, and Sonam’s portrayal received widespread praise.
‘Neerja’, a biographical thriller directed by Ram Madhvani, features Sonam Kapoor in the titular role alongside Shekhar Ravjiani, Shabana Azmi, Yogendra Tiku, Kavi Shastri, and Jim Sarbh. The film tells the inspiring true story of Neerja Bhanot, the brave flight attendant who, with remarkable composure and courage, saved numerous lives during the 1986 hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73 in Karachi. Sonam’s powerful and nuanced portrayal earned her a National Award, marking a milestone in her career.
‘Aisha’, a romantic comedy-drama directed by Rajshree Ojha, boasts an ensemble cast including Sonam Kapoor, Abhay Deol, Ira Dubey, Cyrus Sahukar, Amrita Puri, Anand Tiwari, Arunoday Singh, and Lisa Haydon. Set against the backdrop of Delhi’s elite society, the film is a contemporary Indian adaptation of Jane Austen’s 1815 novel ‘Emma’. Sonam Kapoor’s portrayal of the fashionable, spoilt, and somewhat snobbish Aisha Kapoor played a key role in the film’s overall appeal.
‘Khoobsurat’, a romantic comedy-drama directed by Shashanka Ghosh, features Sonam Kapoor alongside Fawad Khan, Kirron Kher, Ratna Pathak Shah, and Aamir Raza Hussain. A modern retelling of Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s 1980 classic, the film follows the story of a spirited young woman who brings warmth and joy into a rigid royal household. Sonam portrays Milli Chakrabarty, a lively physiotherapist whose infectious energy transforms those around her. Her portrayal of the free-spirited Milli is spot-on, earning praise for its charm and near-flawless execution.
‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’, a biographical sports drama directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, was both a critical and commercial success. The film chronicles the inspiring journey of legendary athlete Milkha Singh, popularly known as India’s Flying Sikh, capturing not just his rise to fame but also the emotional scars left by the Partition of 1947 and his fierce rivalry with a Pakistani sprinter considered Asia’s fastest. Sonam Kapoor played a brief yet impactful role as Biro, Milkha’s love interest. Despite limited screen time, her performance and chemistry with Farhan Akhtar left a lasting impression. Sonam charged just Rs. 11 for the role, calling it an “honor” to be part of a film with such a powerful script and the opportunity to work again with Mehra and collaborate with Farhan.
