Exclusive: I have worked my butt off for Akira, says Sonakshi Sinha

Sonakshi Sinha is all set to stun the audience with her action-packed avatar in the upcoming film, directed by A.R. Murugadoss. Akira will be Sonakshi's second film with Murugadoss after Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty. The Dabangg actor has been portrayed in an uncharacteristic fierce avatar.

She will be also seen pulling off some kickass actions scenes. With Akira, Sonakshi for the first time is turning into an action hero herself. In a candid interview with us, Sonakshi opened up on why did she choose Akira, will it establish her as a bonafide action star or not and much more.

Excerpts from the interview:

What made you choose a film like Akira as it's the first time you'll be stepping into the genre of action?

Well, the fact that it's A.R. Murugadoss' film, the fact that he is the director who works with top action stars of the country. And it's a woman-centric film and he has put that kind of faith in me that he wants me to portray such a role. I am the hero of his film so that was the reason and of course the film has a fantastic story. It has great content and that's why I wanted to be a part of this film.

Do you think your role in Akira will establish you as a bonafide action star? How was it working with A.R. Murugadoss?

I hope so because I have worked really hard for it. I have worked my butt off for it. Well, at least if not that, I am happy that people are appreciating of what they have seen of my action in the trailer itself. The response has been really positive and good and that makes me really happy.  

Most Bollywood films focus on having a male lead as an action hero and you don't get to see many female actors doing action sequences. Do you think the scenario is now changing?

Well, then I am glad that I am a pioneer in that case where this is happening. Yes, this is an actually something probably people have not seen - the portrayal of female action hero in Hindi cinema before. It feels great to be a part of that kind of a revolution and to start something like this. And yes now there are characters which are written keeping women in mind and are portrayed in a strong manner. It's moving in the right way and people are also accepting it!

In Akira, you'll be seen doing some hardcore action sequences. Did you train in any sort of martial arts for that?

Yes, I did train in mixed martial arts for the film because of the action it has. It's really difficult as you have to look convincing. You have to prepare yourself both physically and mentally and then go ahead with it.

Akira was physically challenging for you, was it also emotionally exhausting? Did you break down at any point?

It was emotionally challenging because Akira was put in such circumstances that I would have never been able to imagine in my wildest dreams. In the film, she has gone to jail and has been abandoned by her family and she has been put into asylum, so yes emotionally I had to breakdown. Portraying such a character was definitely taxing and it was draining.

After Akira, you chose Force 2 and both are action-based films. Was it a conscious move?

There are very different from each other and my roles in both are good. Even in Force 2, I play a raw agent and but the kind of the films they both are very different. They are actually poles apart, but I loved being a part of two thing which are diametrically different and I love doing action films. I love watching them and being a part of them.  

There were reports of you not being a part of Dabangg 3. Arbaaz has confirmed that all such reports are false. What's your take on it?

Honestly, there's nothing of that being spoken. It's all speculations and it's silly that such things happen even after the producer has clarified it that I would be in the film and I'll be playing Rajjo. It doesn't matter actually because I know Arbaaz is just a call away if I have to clarify something.

The media and the glamour industry is obsessed with body shaming. How do you address it as a celebrity? And has this ever  affected you?

Well, I address it by shutting them down if it's directed at me of course. I always have and will by portraying it by having a healthy body image for women. Lots of girls come to me and say that you're an inspiration and it feels great and I always tell them it's ok to be who we are and how we are. And it's ok to be how you are as long as you're not affecting your health and nobody can tell you how are you supposed to look and that always comes from within. If you want to change the way you look for yourself, then please go ahead and that's what I did. I wanted to change it for myself and not because everybody was telling me to.

You recently said that you're keen to act in a sports-based film. If given a chance, which sportsperson would you want to play on the big screen?

I would like to portray Saina Nehwal or may be Sakshi Malik for that matter. They all are such inspiring girls and honestly I play a lot of sports so any one of them would do for me.

Lastly, there were reports of you getting engaged to your friend Bunty Sachdev and you've already clarified that it's not true. But how do you really deal with it when such reports start doing the rounds?

It's all false. I deal with it by clarifying it. If reports are directed at me and not affecting my family or friends, I leave it or choose to ignore it. But if it does affect my family and friends, I would definitely clarify it and I am really glad that we live in such an age today where it's just one tweet away.