He made his mark in Telugu cinema in films like Super and Arundhati, and now Sonu Sood is taking the Hindi film industry by storm. Just this past weekend the actor was honored for his work as the villain in the Salman Khan starrer Dabangg at the IIFA awards show in Toronto. Fans are eagerly waiting to see what the actor brings to the screen, and up next is Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap. Instead of playing the villain, he is the good guy cop and whom is he playing against this time? None other than Mr. Amitabh Bachchan. After a very long day of shooting, 14 hours to be exact, and a couple ‘I am sorry, can you call back in…I am still shooting’, Sonu took the time to have a quick chat with us about the film, his character and what was it like to have to push Mr. Bachchan his first day on set!
How do you decide on which roles you will say yes to?
You know, I always feel that whatever roles I choose to do it is not just about the director or my co-actors. It is that it should give me a kick when I hear the narration, it should give me the drive to go on the set in the morning. That is what pushes me to choose a role and unless the role really convinces me then I don’t give the nod to the film.
Tell us how the part in Bbuddah came about?
The director of Bbuddah is Puri Jagannath and I’ve done two films with him in South in Telugu. Both were super hits so I had a rapport with him. About 1 ½ – 2 years back when I was shooting for another film with him he told me that he wanted to make a film with Mr. Bachchan and me together. Finally, this film came up, Bachchan Saab liked the idea and this is how we both got on board.
When he told you that it would be starring opposite Mr. Bachchan, what were your first thoughts?
I think it’s every actors dream to share screen space with Mr. Bachchan and I’m blessed that I started so early in my career. He’s kind of an institution for us. It was great fun. I obviously think he’s a great guy. You get to learn so much from him. The kind of discipline he has on sets, the kind of focus he has for his scenes, and the kind of energy he throws. I think that makes you be on your toes to give your best shot. That is the aura he has on set. I really thoroughly enjoyed working with him.
Tell us about your character in the film.
My characters name is Karan Malhotra. He’s an ACP and he’s a very loyal, very honest cop. He’s after the Underworld and is trying to clear them from the Bombay map. He’s a very focused guy and how he fights against the whole system is his character. Playing a cop is always a great high for any actor on the Indian screen.
How did you prepare to play him?
I’ve met lots of cops in Punjab, in Bombay and watched how they function, how they move. I think their body language and their whole approach to the system was kind of homework for me.
Tell us about that first day on set.
The first day on the sets… Mr. Bachchan comes to my police station and I push him out! I was joking with the director and said you shoot first day with Mr. Bachchan and you are asked to push him hard, it’s kind of a very strange experience. But when we came on the first day of the scene we really had a great experience and he really pushed me to give my best shot.
Since you have worked with Puri Jagannath on two other films how do you feel he has grown as a director?
I think Puri is one of the most fabulous human beings and one of the finest technicians I’ve worked with. I think like actors grow everyday on screen, I think he’s one guy who’s grown a lot. He’s very fast, very quick, very focused. I think every day you learn something from him. He’s a very, very close friend. He also lets me improvise in my scenes and gives me the freedom to do what I want. That I think has helped me grow and to give my best shots.
Since your last role in Dabangg was negative, did you enjoy playing the good guy in this movie?
Yes, I really enjoyed playing the good guy. You feel nice and you tend to get to sing songs and romance the heroine. I really thoroughly enjoyed it. I think it will be kind of shock for the audience when they’ve seen me in Dabangg and now they’ll see me in Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap.
How was it romancing Sonal Chauhan?
I think Sonal is a fabulous girl. She’s the kind of person who is always set to learn, ready to improvise, and ready to do rehearsals. And when you share a good chemistry with a co-star it shows up on screen.
We read on twitter that you were disappointed you didn’t have many scenes with Raveena Tandon…
I remember as a college guy I had a huge crush on her. Though we are working together in this film, I wish we had some more scenes together. In fact she also felt the same. I am sure it is just a matter of time and we’ll do a film together soon.
What do you think is the best thing about the film?
I think the best thing about the film apart from it being an action-oriented film is that its narrated in humorous way – it’s got lot of undercurrent humor. It’s a great entertainer. Also the combination of Mr. Bachchan and me on screen would be something to watch out for.
You’ve done Dabangg with Salman Khan, Bbuddah with Mr. Bachchan and you have upcoming Rana with Rajnikanth, things are going great. How do you feel about the way you career is progressing?
I am a person who’s come from a non-film background from a small town so I think it’s been a great journey so far. God’s been kind to me. I’ve learnt a lot in this industry and working with two big institutions like Amitabh Bachchan and Rajnikanth you can’t ask anything more than that. I think every day is kind of a learning experience for me and I’m still learning and still miles to go. I would say it’s all because of the blessings of my parents. They actually motivated me, they really pushed me, they really believed in me that one day it will happen and I think their belief got me here.
You have worked both in the South and Hindi films, what are the differences between the film industries?
I think both the industries are very, very professional, but I think their schools (Hindi, Telugu, Tamil) are different. When you work with all these directors from different industries you tend to learn everything from all of them. South has been kind of my school of acting were I learnt the technicals of cinema. Now in Hindi I’m kind of exploiting what I’ve learnt there.
You received fabulous praise for your work in Dabangg. Do you see that film as a turning point?
I would say ya, Dabangg has been a turning point in my career, though my other films Singh is Kinng and Jodhaa Akbar did well. But I think Dabangg was the final turn, which got me on to the main platform. From here on I have to carry on steadily and give my best shots.
What can you tell us about your role in Rana?
Rana is a period film. It’s an action film and there is a lot of action so it’s going to be great fun.
What does the fan support mean to you?
I think it’s their support and their prayers, which is pushing me to go forward, to work harder. Without them it is not possible for me to move even an inch. So whatever journey I’ve managed it’s all because of my fans and I want to thank them for that and I want to tell them to keep praying for me.
Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap hits theaters this Friday, July 1st be sure to go check it out! Also be sure to read our interviews with Amitabh Bachchan and Raveena Tandon!!
