Many viewers basking in the delight of the BBC’s new version of Emma with the charismatic Romola Garai, will already be looking forward with anticipation to the next adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic – Aisha, the Bollywood version set to hit the screens in 2010. Starring Sonam Kapoor, daughter of Slumdog Millionaire’s Anil Kapoor who is also producing the movie, Aisha also includes hot young actor Abhay Deol in the Mr Knightly role. The film also features Ira Dubey, daughter of Lillette Dubey.
Although Sonam recently appeared in a TV commercial with her father Anil, she is keen to distance herself from any accusation that she is riding on his coat-tails. “My dad being big is not going to open doors for me anywhere,” she says disingenuously, “It’s doing films like Saawariya, which was produced by an international company, and Delhi-6, which was shown at international film festivals that has given me a lot of visibility abroad.”
Although only three films old, Sonam has already firmly established herself in the royal pavilion of Bollywood superstars with her looks, fashion-sense and acting skills. She recently topped the People’s Best Dressed List for 2009 ahead of rivals such as Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif. “My style isn’t about trends,” she says, “I don’t let the clothes wear me, I wear them.”
