In a recent interview, actor Sonakshi Sinha opened up about the challenges of portraying truth in mainstream cinema, stating that it is difficult to speak the "whole and entire truth" in today's times. She emphasized that artists have become increasingly cautious about the subjects they choose to explore in films.
Truth in Cinema: A Balancing Act
When asked whether mainstream cinema resists hard truths in its narratives, Sinha explained that depicting reality is not always feasible. "If you speak the truth too much, the film also stops in today's time. It's difficult to speak the whole and entire truth. So, I think, people are much more careful with the subjects that they're choosing, with the truth they want to get out there, with what they're trying to convey. I think we live in slightly difficult times as creative people; we don't have that freedom anymore," she told PTI.
Journey Through Bollywood
Sinha made her Hindi cinema debut in 2010 with the blockbuster "Dabangg," co-starring Salman Khan. The film's massive success propelled her career, leading to critically acclaimed performances in "Lootera," "Akira," "Mission Mangal," and OTT series "Dahaad" and "Heeramandi." Reflecting on her over fifteen-year journey, Sinha noted that the industry has transformed significantly, partly due to the rise of social media. "It's gotten tougher, I feel, because there was not that much exposure. There was social media, now it has become huge. So, I feel I came at a slightly nicer time and things just started going down from there," she said.
Growth and Regrets
The actor shared that experience has helped her make better choices and evolve as a person. "As an actor and as a person, you grow up. I was literally a baby when I started working, so a lot of changes come to you organically while you're working. I feel I'm a much different person than I was then," she added. Sinha admitted that some projects have left her with "nightmares" and regrets, but she would never disown them. "You end up becoming a part of it because it was a certain way, but then it gets made a certain way. Things change while you're shooting and then you're just miserable, like, 'What have I signed up for?' Then your quality of work also goes down. You just don't want to be there, so, I feel stuff like that has happened to me. But I would never disown a film. I did it in 'hosh o havaas' (right senses). Whatever I have to do, I have to do it well and then move on. Everybody makes mistakes in their life. We are also the same. You just have to move on," she said.
Upcoming Project: 'System'
Sinha is currently awaiting the release of "System," a legal drama directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, known for "Nil Battey Sannata" and "Bareilly Ki Barfi." The film also stars Jyothika and actor-filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker. Sinha plays lawyer Neha Rajvansh, who must prove herself in front of her hot-shot lawyer father (Gowariker). Initially determined to win all cases, her character begins to question the idea of winning at all costs. Sinha praised Tiwari for her ability to create vulnerable yet grounded characters. "The seriousness of this film, of situations, of the subject, I think demanded something really different from her as well because this is not the kind of film that she has been making in the past. It was a very different way to go for her and I think she manoeuvred that really well and it was really refreshing to see her kind of bring out something like what she did in 'System'," she said.
Working with Co-stars
Sinha shared a good rapport with Jyothika and expressed a desire to collaborate again. "We really enjoyed working with each other, I mean I feel like our work ethic is very similar. I felt like this is a nice person to work with; to have on set and she is such a fabulous actor. I think that really elevates your own performance. I mean I think it was great, I would love to work with her again," she said. Sinha described her character Neha Rajvansh as a "very real, very flawed" person trying to do the right thing. "She is someone who stands up for her values and her principles. She will fight to get it right. For me it was a very interesting character to play because I have never played a lawyer before. The whole courtroom scenes were fun for me as an actor. I think overall it was something that I just kind of became," she added.
Sinha also recalled conversations with Gowariker, who started as an actor before becoming a renowned director of hits like "Lagaan," "Jodhaa Akbar," and "Swades." "He's a very good actor. So, I asked him also, he said, 'I actually came to become an actor.' And then he ended up directing. So, he's really got it. I think he was just perfect for this role. He's playing my father and he's playing a full shark of a lawyer and he's done it really well," she said.
Current and Future Work
Sinha is currently shooting for "Dahaad 2." "System" will debut on Prime Video on May 22. The film is produced by Pammi Baweja, Harman Baweja, and Smitha Baliga, and written by Harman Baweja, Arun Sukumar, Tiwari, Tasneem Lokhandwala, and Akshat Ghildial.
