Sonam Kapoor has long held a special place within Bollywood throughout her career; her contributions have included being considered a trailblazer through fashion, frequently having her opinions scrutinized for being outspoken, and being talked about endlessly regarding her red-carpet style. However, with all of the designer dresses, magazine covers, and social media headlines about her, the actor Sonam Kapoor frequently has been missed among everything else.
As we celebrate her birthday, here are some performances we can revisit to illustrate how much Sonam Kapoor’s influence on Indian cinema goes far beyond fashion and glitz.
A great example of this is from 2009 when she appeared in Delhi-6 and portrayed Bittu Sharma – a young woman who is caught between her family’s conservative views and her desire to be herself. While the film garnered mixed reviews from people after its release, Sonam brought a level of integrity and authenticity to her portrayal of Bittu.
Her performance also provided an opportunity for viewers to connect to the character on a deeper level because Bittu not only represents the larger theme of the film – “who you are” vs. the “societal expectations” put on you; but Bittu’s own individual aspirations/struggles mirror something we can all relate to during our lives regardless of gender, race, etc., therefore making it very easy for us to identify with Bittu and feel for her as she pursued her dreams. It was a performance that hinted at her ability to bring warmth to characters without resorting to theatrics.
A few years later, in 2013, came Raanjhanaa, one of the most talked-about movies of Sonam Kapoor’s career. In this movie, Dhanush plays the part of Kundan (an absolute standout performance); Sonam’s character, Zoya, played a significant role in the emotional journey of the movie’s story. Although Zoya could have been portrayed as a conventional love interest, Sonam has given her character depth and complexity. Despite being idealistic, ambitious, and at times flawed, Zoya is one of the most misunderstood characters within the film. Sonam’s ability to portray ambiguity effectively exemplifies this.
Then there is Aisha, which was released in 2010 and has cultivated a sizable cult following since. This film was quite stylish in its representation of Jane Austen’s classic novel, Emma, but also ahead of its time in many aspects. Critics tended to concentrate more on the film’s aesthetic and were less impressed by the actual film. Sonam Kapoor brought a combination of confidence, humour, and self-awareness as Aisha Kapoor, the film’s protagonist. Beyond being just a fashion “showpiece,” Aisha has also exhibited Sonam’s capability to successfully lead a mainstream film and effectively tell the emotional story.
Of course, any conversation about Sonam Kapoor’s acting career inevitably leads to Neerja (2016), the film that remains her finest performance to date. After all, it is only natural for Sonam’s career to be defined by her best work; therefore, she will always be remembered as Neerja Bhanot, the courageous flight attendant who died while saving passengers during the 1986 hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73. Through her powerful yet understated and honest performance, Sonam made courage and vulnerability coexist, and the result was a powerful and highly praised portrayal that showcased her amazing ability as an actress.
The ironic thing about Sonam’s career is that she has achieved more fame and recognition through her public persona and fashion influence than through her filmography. While her influence in both fashion and popular culture has certainly had a significant impact on the world of cinema, to confine Sonam to just being a fashion icon is to overlook the wide range of work she has accomplished as an actress throughout her career.
That being said, it is rewarding to revisit Sonam Kapoor’s past performances that do not receive as much attention as they deserve. These performances serve as an indication that behind this fashionable woman is a talented actress who has, at times in her career, given us some incredibly thoughtful and wonderful performances that deserve as much attention as any of the looks that have received extensive media coverage.
