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'People can relate to 'f**k' buddies''
Sonal Sehgal was to make her filmi debut in Nagesh Kukunoor's Aashayein, opposite John Abraham. But even though the film is complete, it still does not have a release date.
Sonal's luck, however, held on, and she landed another film -- the Himesh Reshammiya-starrer Radio, releasing this Friday.
She talks to Nithya Ramani about working with Himesh in a film targetted at the youth.
Your dialogue in the Radio promos, 'Are you buddies buddies or f**k buddies' is catching people's attention. How did you react when that dialogue was given to you?
In the film, I am asking Himesh's character Vivan about his relationship with (co-star) Shenaz (Treasurywala). As an actor, I say what I'm asked to.
The film caters to a young audience. Anyway, that's a commonly used phrase. People say the words so often that it doesn't hurt anybody unless you say it in a context that hurts.
The dialogue has caught audiences' attention because they can relate to this lingo. There are so many such relationships in the world, on different levels.
'My parents would never object to something like this'
How did your parents react to this when they saw the promo?
My parents would never object to something like this. They know it's for a film. If they had to object, they would have objected to me being an actor.
People have liked this line. I'm asked to say this dialogue wherever I go to promote the film.
Aren't you upset that Aashayein hasn't released yet? It would have been a good debut for you.
Yes, I was upset. But everything happens for the best. I wouldn't have been able to try out different kinds of roles had Aashayein released. In Aashayein, I play this quiet, simple girl-next-door. If that had released, people would have approached me for only those kinds of roles.
Now, people have no preconceived notions about my acting. So I'm getting projects with different characters. In Radio, I play Pooja, who is selfish and independent. In Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai, I play this rich spoilt kid.
All the scripts that come to me are on the basis of my performance in (television show) Hotel Kingston. But Aashayein may release early next year.
'These days, love problems are very different from what they used to be'
How did Radio happen?
When Ishaan (Trivedi, director) approached me with the story, I loved it. It is a love story -- a tried and tested genre -- but the way Ishaan has portrayed me is exciting.
These days, love problems are very different from what they used to be. The film begins with Vivan and I getting divorced but we remain friends. That's the practical way youngsters look at relationships today. Even if they break up, they remain friends.
Relationships are quite complicated these days. People want their own space and freedom. Ishaan has taken the help of Facebook, which solves people's problems.
Earlier, we had the hero's or heroine's best friend, who would try and bring the couple together. In Radio, Facebook plays that best friend. That's what pulled me to the story. The concept of Facebook is very today and everybody can relate to it.
'If I stick to wanting only solo-heroine roles, I'll have to sit at home'
What was it like working with Himesh?
Himesh has high energy levels. God knows what he has for breakfast! He is like a tornado on the sets. He knows he has to prove himself as an actor and does everything to do that. He never fumbles his lines.
If you're not comfortable as co-stars, it gets very difficult to perform. But working with him was fun. It would get hectic at times because he is a ball of energy. Even after working from 7am to 7pm, he would want to do a night shoot sometimes. We would all get exhausted but you will never see him tired.
Paresh Rawal plays an RJ too and he's hilarious! He's like Radio City's Ghanta Singh, who calls up people and pulls their leg by asking weird questions.
You have to share the platform with another heroine. Did you have any apprehensions?
No. If I stick to wanting only solo-heroine roles, I'll have to sit at home. Besides, multi-starrers do well these days. Shenaz and I have clearly etched-out roles. We have our share of screen space and that's all that matters.
'You can't leave your brains at home and watch Radio'
What should people expect from Radio?
It's a nice love story but not the type where you can leave your brains at home.
What is Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai about?
Riteish Deshmukh and I play assistant directors in the film and Ruslaan plays a superstar. I play Ruslaan's sister, that's why I go to work with him. (Aladin heroine) Jacqueline Fernandez plays an alien from Venus.