‘I’m blessed with an expressive face’Sonakshi Sinha is in two minds if she likes being labelled a lucky mascot. “It’s a tag that has been given to me by the media and it’s temporary,” she says, adding, “Luckily however, my efforts have not been undermined. Also, at the end of the day, I don’t think being called a lucky mascot is a negative thing. No one is saying, ‘Sona can’t act,’ are they?” She may have a point there. But she is also making heads turn with her subtle ‘50s look in her upcoming film Lootera, which the 26-year-old credits to the film’s research unit headed by director Vikramaditya Motwane. “A lot of research has gone into the film, not just the yesteryear look but the entire set, locations, costumes — attention was paid to the smallest detail,” she says. A lot work has also been put into her expressions, she says. “There are several scenes in Lootera, especially romantic ones, where a lot had to be said through my eyes,” says the actress, who proudly credits her good genes for what she says is the blessing of an “expressive face.” Sonakshi claims there were enough and more people who tried to dissuade her from taking up the role in which she plays a Bengal zamindar’s daughter deeply in love with a man who has his secrets.

“Usually when I read a script, I imagine someone else playing the character, but not in this one,” says the actress. “When Vikramaditya narrated the story to me, I could only imagine myself playing Pakhi (the female lead). I fell in love with the character and when more and more people started doubting my decision, I took it as a challenge, ab toh karke rahungi.” What has also been a talking point in Lootera is her simmering chemistry with Ranveer Singh. The usually rambunctious actor is seen indulging his quieter side and according to reports, Sona’s calm presence did act like a perfect foil to his uninhibited exuberance. Ask Sonakshi about their ‘yin-yang’ energies and she laughs. “Opposite energies notwithstanding, it has come out rather well on screen,” she says before sounding serious again. “Ranveer had to calm down a lot during the film in keeping with the demands of his character. Initially, I did have some doubts about how we would look on the screen but I think it looks magical now. What helped Sonakshi retain her composure during the demanding shooting schedule that stretched from the interiors of Bengal to the Himalayas, was a disciplined unit. “It was the most sorted set I know, where people avoided talking as the shoot was sync sound, proper timings for breakfast and lunch, and so on. Usually, you have an hour after one shot is over and the next is getting readied. But it was different on the sets of Lootera and this helps you to concentrate on your work,” she says.