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Sonakshi Sinha: I still remember the first actor I designed outfits for as a teenager, it was…

May 30, 2024 04:25 PM IST

Actor Sonakshi Sinha poses exclusively for HT City Showstoppers, and proves why she was always destined to be a trendsetting actor.

Sonakshi Sinha is all smiles, basking in the glowing reviews she's received for her performance in Heeramandi. "I'm thankful to Sanjay sir (Leela Bhansali, filmmaker) for showing me to audiences like they've never seen me before," the actor says. In an exclusive chat with HT City Showstoppers, she talks about her relationship with fashion and the journey from aspiring fashion designer to stardom.

The big fat Indian wedding is incomplete without exquisite craftsmanship, celebrated by couturiers who bring together the old and the new. Here, Sonakshi Sinha wears a sequined gown with faux feather on the shoulders from designer Dolly J, who will showcase her creations at the FDCI Wedding Weekend to be held on August 3-4 in the Capital. She pairs it with a diamond neckpiece from Naulakha Fine Jewels(Rohan Shreshtha )
The big fat Indian wedding is incomplete without exquisite craftsmanship, celebrated by couturiers who bring together the old and the new. Here, Sonakshi Sinha wears a sequined gown with faux feather on the shoulders from designer Dolly J, who will showcase her creations at the FDCI Wedding Weekend to be held on August 3-4 in the Capital. She pairs it with a diamond neckpiece from Naulakha Fine Jewels(Rohan Shreshtha )

FORAYING INTO FASHION

The actor is a breath of fresh air in a breezy printed cotton kurti set from W. Oxidised jewellery and a pink bindi spice up this understated yet elegant look, perfect for haldi fanctions(Rohan Shreshtha for HT)
The actor is a breath of fresh air in a breezy printed cotton kurti set from W. Oxidised jewellery and a pink bindi spice up this understated yet elegant look, perfect for haldi fanctions(Rohan Shreshtha for HT)

Sinha reveals that she was drawn to fashion as a teenager: "My mum (politician Poonam Sinha) produced Mera Dil Leke Dekho (2006) when I was in school. I helped her with styling and clothes. Actor Koel Purie was the first person I ever designed for." However, the actor admits that it didn't "come naturally" to her. "My style is very casual, very easy. But I'm open to experimenting and open to trying out new things. So it's been acquired." Sinha tells us. Why design? "I was just out of college, trying to figure out what to do. I was good at drawing figures and silhouettes, stuff like that. Fashion designing seemed to be the most natural step," she explains. But then, Salman Khan advised her to become an actor. "My life completely changed," she says, referring to her debut in Dabbangg (2010)

‘STUCK TO MY GUNS’

Sonakshi is a picture of elegance in an ivory organza saree from designer Riddhima Gupta, featuring mirror work detailing. This striking saree is a sure-shot winner for summer weddings(Rohan Shrestha for HT)
Sonakshi is a picture of elegance in an ivory organza saree from designer Riddhima Gupta, featuring mirror work detailing. This striking saree is a sure-shot winner for summer weddings(Rohan Shrestha for HT)

Her career took off with films like Rowdy Rathore (2012), but it was Lootera (2013), a departure from her usual glam roles that really let her shine. The 36-year-old also credits Akira (2016) for her pivot from masala films. "I was the focal point [of the film], it was liberating. That's when I realised I wanted to portray strong female characters on screen. Since then, I've stuck to my guns, whether [a film] worked or not,” she tells us.

UNCHARTED TERRITORY

With her foray into streaming, first with Dahaad which went on to become India's debut at the Berlin International Film Festival-and now Heeramandi, does she feel the medium has given her better opportunities than films? "It's a coincidence that the better roles have been on OTT. I have always had that choice, right? [OTT is a] long format and I think people are willing to take more risks with female protagonists on OTT," she ends.

 

CREATIVE DIRECTION: SHARA ASHRAF PRAYAG

PHOTOGRAPHY: ROHAN SHRESTHA

STYLING: SANAM RATANSI

SR&CO MANAGER: JAFER ALI MUNSHI

TEAM: SAUMYA SANTOSH

HAIR: MADHURI NAKHALE

MAKEUP: HEEMAA DATTAANI

JEWELLERY: KOHARBYKANIKA (EARRINGS),

AQUAMARINE AND ISHAARA (HANDSTACK)

LOCATION: THE LALIT MUMBAI

PRODUCTION: ZEHERA KAYANAT AND SHWETA SUNNY

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