Abhay and I have similar acting styles: Sonam Kapoor

Actress Sonam Kapoor, who is playing the female lead in dad Anil Kapoor`s home production "Aisha", says she and co-star Abhay Deol have similar acting styles, making it easier for her to give her best.

"It was great working with Abhay. I feel we have very similar acting styles that made working with him so easy. It`s always nice to work with someone who has done the kind of work you would want to do," Sonam told reporters.

Based on Jane Austen`s novel `Emma`, `Aisha` is being directed by Rajshree Ojha and produced by Anil Kapoor and his younger daughter Rhea Kapoor. It is expected to release in April next year.

Asked if she too would like to don the producer`s hat like her father and sister, Sonam said: "I don`t want to get into production or anything. I have left that for my sister and my father. I am a more creative person and thus acting is what is more suitable for me rather than the production side of a film."

Before embarking on an acting career, Sonam worked as an assistant with Sanjay Leela Bhansali during the making of "Black". Later she made her big screen debut in Bhansali`s "Saawariya". Based on Fyodor Dostoevsky`s "White Nights", the film also introduced Ranbir Kapoor.

Her second film was Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra`s `Delhi-6` with Abhishek Bachchan. The film received mixed reviews, but her performance was highly praised.

The 24-year-old is also working on `I Hate Luv Stories`. Produced under Karan Johar`s Dharma Productions and directed by debutant Punit Malhotra, the film also stars Imraan Khan.

Asked how she felt when people referred to her as the thinking actress, she said: "It`s nice that people think this way. Every woman and artist would be happy if people think like that about her. So am I. I think it`s because of the kind of work that I have done that this image has been created. It makes me happy."

Apart from acting, Sonam endorses brands like Mont Blanc pens and L`Oreal and said that endorsement increases the visibility of an artist.

"Brands give you visibility. They not only give you monetary benefits but helps audience connect to you in a better way because you are not your character while endorsing the brands. You are yourself," said the actress, who loves diamonds.

"I love jewellery like most girls. Diamonds are my favourites. Solitaires and even unconventional large pieces are what I usually like and wear," said the actress, who is also the brand ambassador of Anant diamond jewellery.

No ego issue with Sonam Kapoor: Abhay

Abhay Deol is currently one of Bollywood’s hottest properties.The actor who has been on a roll since Anurag Kashyap’s Dev D and Dibakar Banerjee’s Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye got those rave reviews, is once again in news courtesy Dev Benegal’s The Road Movie, a film that has taken the international film festival circuit before it comes to Indian shores. As the leading man of the film, Abhay has been jet-hopping from Toronto to Venice, New Delhi to Doha. On a day when he can actually catch his breath for a few minutes, the actor says, “I’ve bought myself a new office in Mumbai.My banner is all set to roll with our first production in the month of January 2010.My director Navdeep Singh and I are just finalising details before we go on set.”He has an achiever.

In the first leg of his journey, the young actor has gone from struggling actor to being the toast of the international film circuit; and in the second leg he has gone from being Bollywood hottie to independent film producer. Yup, in about a year, life has thrown up a myriad of opportunities for this contemporary thinking actor. But there has also been his share of controversy. Reports said he was unhappy with the treatment meted out to him on the sets of Sonam Kapoor’s home production Aisha. It is conjectured that Abhay was cooling his heels on the sets of the film in Delhi because things were haphazard.However Abhay refuses to be drawn into a controversy. Says he, “My producer should be clearing the air on any controversy surrounding Aisha.

As a professional actor I will never talk about what happened on set. I hold Sonam (co-star and part producer) in highest regard. And, there is no ego issue with her.Abhay is also expected to start work with Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s banner and he is said to be in talks with producer Krishna Shah for the film on Indira Gandhi. Of course, the actor’s silent on these films too. “My producers will make the announcements as and when they have to,” he says. “All I can say is that I’m exhilarated with the work I’m doing.”

Abhay puts Sonam’s delays to good use

Abhay Deol surely knows how to make the best use of time. His differences with Sonam Kapoor on the sets of Aisha were discussed at length recently.Sources on the sets of the much-awaited film reported that the two young- actors got into a non-friendly mode as Sonam reportedly took a long time in getting her make- up done, which use to lead to delay in the shooting.Now, we hear that Abhay has come up with a better idea.Instead of wasting his time and talking about it, he got his personal trainer to teach him the art of ‘defensive fighting’. It is a form of martial art called Krav Maga.

This is an art form which he wanted to learn for a long time.”He has been spending time with his personal trainer in order to learn the art form,” a source said.Apparently, Abhay will have to make use of this art form in his next film, so he is preparing for it much in advance.We hear the relationship between Abhay and Sonam was warm initially. But, later on, when some issues cropped up between the two, it surprised many. Since Abhay is a thorough professional, he is not gossiping about it. We also learnt that there were several technical glitches on the sets, which used to delay the work.

But Abhay is pretending everything is fine and is trying to keep a straight face so that the shooting of the film gets over at the earliest.Once Abhay finishes his portion of shooting for Sonam’s film, he will devote his time to learning Krav Maga for his next secret project. A smart guy, we think!

Abhay Deol not happy over Sonam Kapoor’s fee?

Well, there is no personal grudge between Abhay Deol and co-star Sonam Kapoor but the news is doing the rounds that he is not happy with his remuneration. It is said that he has been paid around Rs.20 lakh for Aisha, which is said to be less than the budget allotted to Sonam’s hair and costume.

It is said that the disappointed actor has resorted to a different kind of technique to counter the humiliation. He is said to have flown in a special cook from Mumbai, which is quite expensive. He refused to have food from any hotel that producer Rhea Kapoor suggested, thus shooting up the cost of production.

Interestingly, Rhea is Sonam’s sister. And so, Abhay is causing trouble to Sonam indirectly.

Abhay Deol is finally realising his Worth in Bollywood

He may have finally found his feet in the industry but Abhay Deol can’t seem to stay put in Mumbai. He’s just returned from New York City from what turned out to be almost a six-month vacation to “rejuvenate”, he’s ready to go back. “I’m going back soon,” promises the actor. “The quality of life here is not great. Navdeep Singh puts it brilliantly; he says that people talk about traffic in Bombay the way people talk about the weather in London,” he says flashing those dimples that cause hearts to skip several beats.
Seated at the lounge of a suburban hotel, he’s in his Dev.D avata—distressed denims paired with a green tee and a black jacket and a sling bag. His overgrown stubble is in place but the bloodshot eyes are replaced by a naughty twinkle one can recall from his act in Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!.
His trip to the Big Apple became quite a topic of discussion in Bollywood, especially since the 33-year-old escaped the post-hit hype of two of the best films we’ve seen last year. Instead if reveling and networking, the reclusive actor upped and left for a “normal and anonymous” life. “The welding course was peripheral, something to keep the mind occupied and to experiment. In fact, I attended school only till February because I’d had my fill by then,” he says.