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Bollywood is bigger than our local film scene but it's also impersonal, says Sonya Jehan

Bollywood is bigger than our local film scene but it's also impersonal, says Sonya Jehan

"In Pakistan, I work with a team that's like family," says the actress of her time on the sets of Ho Mann Jahaan
28 Dec, 2015

Being Noor Jehan's granddaughter, Sonya Jehan has had some pretty big shoes to fill from the get go. Perhaps that's why she'd avoided stepping into the limelight on home soil altogether, some assumed.

Until now.

"I don't think there was any conscious decision not to work in Pakistan, it just so happened that I was offered a very interesting role to play in India (she made her cinematic debut with Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story) and so I went there, ended up marrying an Indian. Now, I have a family there so I've done more work there since I live across the border now."

Jehan with actor Zulfi Syed in Taj Mahal —Photo courtesy: www.funonthenet.in
Jehan with actor Zulfi Syed in Taj Mahal —Photo courtesy: www.funonthenet.in

How does the so-called revived Pakistani cinema industry compare to the mammoth that is Bollywood?

"It doesn't compare. Obviously, Bollywood is much bigger but it's not as intimate. A lot of people that you work with there are working simultaneously on multiple projects so you don't really get the time to know people, other than your co-stars and director. On top of that, I usually have to fly from Delhi to Bombay, stay in a hotel. It's impersonal."

From L-R: Sheheryar Munawar, Mahira Khan, Asim Raza, Adeel Hussain and Sonya Jehan —Publicity photo
From L-R: Sheheryar Munawar, Mahira Khan, Asim Raza, Adeel Hussain and Sonya Jehan —Publicity photo

She adds, "Here, I work with a team that works and gels together like family and I go back home to my mother and my brother and have ghar ka khana. You don't do room service here."

However, even after all this time, Ho Mann Jahaan felt like an easy fit, explains the actress.

"I'd been away from Pakistan for so long that I didn't know much about the media and the cinema. When Asim approached me, it made sense for me to use this as the project to catapult me into unfamiliar territory because I've known him for a long time, we have that comfort level. Of course it helps that the script is so good and the character I was offered was that of an interesting woman."

Screengrab from the trailer
Screengrab from the trailer

Where does this interesting woman fit into the plot of a movie which has been hailed a coming-of-age story revolving around 3 university students?

While being careful not to give anything too major away, Jehan gives us some insight into the mysterious Sabina: "She's a very strong, mature, independent woman. She's extremely outspoken but at the same time, she's cool-headed. I'm not like that at all! I have quite a temper so as an actor, it was interesting for me, to play someone so serene."


I know Ho Mann Jahaan is going to do well and for now, that's what I'm excited about. In fact, I'd love to do another movie with Asim only!" laughs Jehan.


After having worked with bigwigs like SRK, Kajol and Soha Ali Khan, what was going through Jehan's head when being thrown into the mix with a crop of emerging actors?

"It was wonderful. It's a great team; so young and fresh, there's never a dull moment on set. Mahira is someone who's a total star, who's amazing at her craft. Adeel is just in his own world and he has these quirky, impactful one liners and quotes come out of the blue, he's a total riot. Sherry is the little boy next-door; bubbly and cheerful. it was a no-brainer for me, doing this movie."

She adds, "There was great energy all around, you know? I remember we sort of got stranded at the beach while we were shooting one day. Our tyres got jammed in the sand, we couldn't get out! That element of adventure and fun never wavered."

What's next for the doting wife and mother of two?

"I'm not someone who's a planner. I know the movie is going to do well and for now, that's what I'm excited about. If I get any offers after then I'd love to consider them. In fact, I'd love to do another movie with Asim only!" laughs Jehan.

Comments

sandeep Dec 28, 2015 01:36pm
i guess if offered role in bollywood she will be first to jump in india
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Chimpu Dec 28, 2015 02:20pm
Offer her role against salman khan and see her tunes changing...
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A Pakistani Dec 28, 2015 02:40pm
Her grandmother was certainly a great woman and a patriotic Pakistani. Sonya Jehan is just a Miss. Average. An Indian with a BIG name behind her trying to cash in here in our country.
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Rahul Dec 28, 2015 03:06pm
@sandeep - read the whole article. She has already worked in Bollywood. Not only that she's married to an Indian named Vivek Narain.
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Rahul Dec 28, 2015 03:08pm
@A Pakistani - she's a Pakistani. Born and raised in Karachi but she now lives in Delhi with her husband.
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Sunil Dec 28, 2015 03:14pm
And lot of money too in Bollywood.
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Just here Dec 28, 2015 03:46pm
Why all pretty women are in Pakistan not a far partition.
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Rashid Sultan Dec 28, 2015 04:02pm
Good luck Sonya - catch up with you in Bombay, Karachi or Delhi soon. You are a great person if not as well known as your granny.
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karachi wala Dec 28, 2015 04:46pm
@sandeep : please read it completely. she is now an indian and is in india.
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karachi wala Dec 28, 2015 04:46pm
@Chimpu : she's already living and working in india. read before you speak Champu!!!
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KM3 Dec 28, 2015 05:02pm
Read the article? It was about what? Puzzled.
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M. Ahmed Dec 28, 2015 05:17pm
Wish SJ greater success
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Baluch Dec 28, 2015 05:30pm
The song clip is so fake - the chap sits with his fingers in one chord position as the tune goes on its merry way, and the strums are out of sync with the beat. This is 2015 - I am sure we can do better!
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Proud Pakistani Dec 28, 2015 05:41pm
Pakistan film industry is the same compared to bollywood as bollywood compared to Hollywood
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Mani Dec 28, 2015 06:05pm
Sonya is a flop. She failed to make a career. The only recognition she still gets or ever got was due to being Noor Jehan's grand daughter.
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Gurpreet Singh Sabharwal (USA) Dec 28, 2015 11:54pm
Good to see a Pakistani woman married to a (non muslim) Indian & living in India.
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srty Dec 29, 2015 03:51am
I was thinking this when I watched the trailer that where has she been cos never saw her in morning shows or doing any interviews but now it makes sense that shes married in India so ofcourse thats her home now but I want to see her as a lead in movies in Pakistani movies or bollywood, she hasn't really tried her full potential.
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Irfan Dec 30, 2015 09:46am
As an industry becomes bigger it becomes impersonal, her comment shows that Lolly wood has a long way to grow as an industry.
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