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Sonakshi: I have no time for men

Sonakshi Sinha has become such hot property after her smash hit debut, Dabangg, that she has signed up as many as five films already -- Rowdy Rathore and Joker with Akshay Kumar, Race 2 with John Abraham and Saif Ali Khan, Kick with Salman Khan and SOS - Son Of Sardar with Ajay Devgn.

The actress chats with Omar Qureshi of Zoom TV, and lays out her plans.

Omar: Let's go back in the past. You wanted to be a fashion designer and now you suddenly got into movies.

Sonakshi: You said it right. Actually, very suddenly.

I studied for three years, did a fashion designing course at SNDT. I was very happy in my space; I was doing well in that. When I finished, I got time to lose weight and that's when Salman (Khan) noticed. And he said I have got a film for you and you have to do it. Obviously, looking at the package that came to me there was no reason to refuse. So here I am!

Omar: But did you have an edge initially because you were Shatrugan Sinha's daughter?

Sonakshi: I wouldn't say that because Salman knows a lot of other people as well. If he doesn't see that spark in you, he doesn't go out and tell you. He's very blunt to your face; if I didn't have it in me he wouldn't even have approached me.

But yes, my father being in the industry for 30 years now, he's in great terms with a lot of people. They respect him but that can only take so far. The rest is up to you.

'Amitabh Bachchan is one of my favourite actors'

Omar: How supportive was your family when you said, 'I'm going to do movies.'

Sonakshi: It was a mutual decision. I didn't have to tell my dad anything. It was just unspoken.

Omar: But he didn't tell you watch out for the bulls out there?

Sonakshi: Yes but luckily, I haven't come across any bad experiences. It's also how you project yourself, how you make people, meet people. If you are proper in that way, then I don't think people will cross that certain limit.

Omar: They must be scared of your dad also. He's got a wicked sense of humour and a very sharp tongue. Do you have a little of that?

Sonakshi: Yes, I have his wicked humour. My tongue is not as sharp as him. I am a good blend between him and my mother.

Omar: He used to take pot shots at some of the biggest heroines and Rekha has bared the brunt of it quite a bit. Have you read some of his old stuff and laughed about it?

Sonakshi: It's all said in good humour, he means no harm. He knows people love him for his wit and humour. I think he's just played upon that and people don't remember these things.

Omar: Even rivalries? Like he had rivalries with Mr Bachchan and it was spoken a lot at that time. Does it affect you, someone starting her career in the industry?

Sonakshi: Why should it? I see these as personal acquisitions that people have amongst themselves and I have nothing to do with it. I meet Amit uncle, who is very cordial and he's a great actor. He's one of my favourite actors as well and my dad knows that.

'I would not be comfortable donning a bikini'

Omar: Which is your favourite Shatru movie?

Sonakshi: Kala Phatar and Khoon Bhari Maang. Actually, Khoon Bhari Maang is my favourite because of the whole Rekha aunty thing in it. (giggles) Teesre Badshah hum hain.

Omar: When are we going to see you in a movie with your dad?

Sonakshi: I would love to do a movie with him but the right package has to come. He's done barely a few films because he wants to wait for the right script to suit his personality.

Omar: You have carved a niche for yourself, made an identity of your own. Every other actress is wearing a bikini and doing item numbers but you have put your foot down.

Sonakshi: It's a personal choice. I would not be comfortable donning a biki#8715 my family would not be comfortable, so why put everyone through that anguish?

Omar: But tell me if it's a fabulous role, fabulous movie, biggest director, big banner, big budget, but you would have to wear a swimsuit or a bikini. Even then you wouldn't?

Sonakshi: No, I wouldn't. I'd be uncomfortable so I wouldn't.

Omar: Not even an item number?

Sonakshi: Item number is very subjective. I am doing a song in Joker, which is full power masala dance song and Farah (Khan) is doing it. So it automatically gets termed as an item number.

I am also doing a song in Rowdy Rathore which is choreographed by Saroj ji, and I'm in a sari, so that is not being called an item number but it's technically the same thing.

'I am a foodie but I work out'

Omar: You were very upset when a magazine carried a picture of you in a bikini.

Sonakshi: It wasn't a magazine, it was some website. Then, a very big publication house picked up that story and said that it was me. Being a journalist, some sense of responsibility should be practiced.

Omar: There was a lot of speculation about your weight. Suddenly you can binge, and then suddenly you're slim and looking great again. How do you do this?

Sonakshi: I'm a foodie but I work out. It's an ongoing process and as you go on, you get slimmer and slimmer and slimmer.

Omar: Do you watch what you eat? Are you careful because I can't stop eating.

Sonakshi: Neither can I. I watch what I eat but I don't stop myself. I believe that's punishing yourself. Food is my comfort.

Omar: What kind of food?

Sonakshi: Indian food is my favourite. I like Italian, pizzas and pastas but obviously I don't eat that.

'I am here to work with everyone'

Omar: Your brother made a debut last year but the movie didn't do well. How supportive are you of him right now ?

Sonakshi: He's taken it positively and has moved on. The best of us have had flops so that really can't affect your career.

Omar: In your case, just one film and your already a superstar. Does that affect your outlook towards life or people's outlook towards you?

Sonakshi: It doesn't affect my outlook because I have a lot of people around me that keep me rooted. My closest friends are not from the industry. They treat me exactly the same way.

Omar: What about the fans?

Sonakshi: The outlook of people about me has changed.

Omar: The invasion of privacy?

Sonakshi: Part and the parcel of the job. I'm dealing with it.

Omar: Did you actually have a childhood crush on Salman?

Sonakshi: No, it's not true. When I was a child, I used to watch Maine Pyaar Kiya for Bhagyashree and the pigeon. (giggles)

Omar: Would you like to work with any other Khan apart from Salman?

Sonakshi: Of course, why wouldn't I? I'm here to work with everyone. I am working with Saif in Race 2, so that's one Khan down.

'My ideal man should be taller than me!'

Omar: Are you daddy's girl or mommy's girl?

Sonakshi: Daddy would like to believe that I am daddy's girl but truly I'm mommy's girl.

Omar: How do you deal with the link-ups and the catfights that come with stardom?

Sonakshi: Now I just laugh! It's very strange because I barely go out of my work space. I don't hang out much, I don't party much so I wonder where they come from!

Omar: Have you ever been in a cat fight?

Sonakshi: No, I haven't! But now I feel I should because it will anyway come.

Omar: You are young, single and attractive so obviously there was a link up with Ranveer Singh. How true was that?

Sonakshi: None at all! Because I have met him only at award functions and I did just one photo shoot with him. So how does even a story of romance come up?

Omar: Would you like to date him?

Sonakshi: As of now, no! I am very content with my work and I have no time for men.

Omar: What are the qualities you would look for in your ideal man?

Sonakshi: He should be taller than me! (giggles) He should be a complete mirror image of my personality.

'I wish I had done Kareena's role in Jab we Met'

Omar: There was some story about a little problem between you and Shahid, is that true? Now both of you are doing a movie together?

Sonakshi: That's too early to say but there was no problem at all.

Omar: You're next movie is also with a big star Akshay Kumar, Joker. Tell me about that.

Sonakshi: Joker was such a fun experience! Once the process of the filmmaking is so good and enjoyable that I think half the battle is already won.

Omar: You have been working with all the senior actors. What about the younger actors?

Sonakshi: It will happen! I am fortunate to work these stars and I have no complains.

Omar: One learning from your first film?

Sonakshi: How to take things in your stride.

Omar: The one actor you would like to kiss on screen?

Sonakshi: Nobody! (giggles) I feel shy.

Omar: A role done by a contemporary that you wish you had done?

Sonakshi: Kareena in Jab We Met.

'If not an actor, I would have been fashion designer or a sports person'

Omar: Your favourite Bollywood real life couple?

Sonakshi: Saif and Kareena.

Omar: Your dad's best advice to you?

Sonakshi: If you can't be the best, at least be different.

Omar: One movie of your father that you would like to re-enact?

Sonakshi: Khoon Bhari Maang.

Omar: If not an actress, you would have been?

Sonakshi: Either a fashion designer or a sports person.

Omar: your favorite style icon?

Sonakshi: Lara Dutta and Kareena.

Omar: The sexiest actor in Bollywood?

Sonakshi: Hrithik Roshan.