'There's nothing women can't do'

'Once you get this addiction that you can do it, you are strong, you're independent, you are moving ahead with the team, it's the best feeling in the world.' Sonakshi Sinha gets ready with Noor.

"There's nothing women can't do," Sonakshi Sinha says at the trailer launch of her new film Noor. "So what is the big deal about film-making and promoting it? We are doing that and will do a lot of other things too. Today, there are such wonderful characters being written, films are being made keeping female protagonists in mind."

"This has become a normal thing now and I am happy that the industry is moving in that direction and giving us opportunities to portray characters, which people can only dream of," she adds.

After Akira, Noor will also see Sonakshi in the titular role, taking centre-stage in the film.

Featuring in movies as the main lead is liberating for the actress. "I don't (know) if it's easy or difficult but with Akira and Noor, I feel very liberated that I don't have to depend on anybody else to carry this film. Honestly, the team that I have is such a solid support to me I don't need anybody else," Sonakshi says.

"Once you get this addiction that you can do it, you are strong, you're independent, you are moving ahead with the team, it's the best feeling in the world. I am really happy to be able to carry this film on my shoulders along with the team," she adds.

Sonakshi says she easily identified with her character when director Sunhil Sippy narrated the film to her and was instantly on board.

Noor also stars Purab Kohli, Shibani Dandekar, popular stand up comedian Kanan Gill, Manish Choudhary and Smita Tambe. The film is scheduled to release on April 21.

When asked if Noor will have a release in Pakistan, producer Bhushan Kumar said yes.

The film is based on Pakistani author Saba Imtiaz's novel Karachi, You're Killing Me! and follows journalist-writer Noor's misadventures and love life, as she navigates her way through Mumbai.

"The book was really just the germ of the idea. We took those characters and adapted it to Mumbai. There is no link at all between the two, it's just the germ of the idea," Sippy says.

Sonakshi says her respect for journalists has grown after playing one in the film. "I have tremendous respect for journalists. It is not easy being a journalist and especially the way you work. I really respect that. Noor is one of you. As celebrities, we don't know in detail what journalists go through. While doing the film, I realised the kind of work journalists do."

Photographs: Pradeep Bandekar