Sumeet Mishra | mumbai@bollywoodtown.in
She first appeared on Kingfisher Calendar and then got her first assignment in Bollywood with Himesh Reshamiya’s film The Xpose’. The girl didn’t stop here as she went to become a part of reality show ‘Big Boss 8’ which gained her wider recognication. Sonali Raut had a cozy conversation with us about her life, her forthcoming film and more…
Tell us something about your life when you were growing up..
In my childhood days, actually I was a really spoilt brat. I went to a boarding school in Pune at MIT School and moved to Mumbai to complete my graduation at Mithibai College. Apart from the academics. I was very good in other extracurricular activities. I was quite active in sports and use to play every type of sports.
How was your life in college?
Teachers use to punish me a lot since I was a very mischievous child. Beside that my college life was great. I had the best of the stuff with me, like I had cars, mobile phones and all. Also, I used to get a lot of attention from people because I was the younger sister to Ujjwala Raut sister who is a successful model.
Were you always keen to become an actor?
Yes! It was quite natural because of my elder sister, who is a very successful model. But I had very less inclination towards modeling than acting. Modeling becomes very limited whereas in acting, you get universal recognition. There is lot of things to do in acting.
At what age you started modelling and how modelling happened to you?
I started it at the age of 19. Well known fashion photographer Atul Kasbekar saw me at Gautam Singhania’s party and there he approached me for Kingfisher Calendar. So that’s how modelling happened to me.
Did you straight away said “yes” to his offer?
No. I wasn’t keen about modelling. For me, modelling was a stepping stone. When he offered me modelling I wasn’t in good shape and I was in two minds that what if I don’t deliver, what if people don’t accept. But he believed in me and he said that I will give you a month’s time and you can be in great shape. So i went on a diet, sweated out in gym. And I was very happy with the result!
How did you get your first break in Bollywood?
It happened actually because of Kingfisher Calendar. After successfully wrapping up my modelling assignment I was looking for a good movie and then the casting director of ‘The Xpose’ movie approached me for Vasu Bhagnani’s film ‘Rangrezz’. But that didn’t worked out because of the role and all that. Then I think, Himesh Reshammiya saw the Kingfisher Calendar and then my first movie happened to me. Luckily, it was the same casting director.
Tell us something about your forthcoming film ‘Great Grand Masti’?
My role is opposite Riteish Deshmukh and it’s a very interesting role which I am playing. It is a very naughty film. Dialogues ekdum subtle way me bolna aur cheap bhi nahi dikhna woh kaafi challenging tha. But we have tried to look innocent rather than vulgar.
What next after ‘Great Grand Masti’?
I just started shooting for this movie called ‘Paranormal’, which is 50 per cent completed. We shot it in ‘Manali’. It’s a Thriller-Horror genre. The film is directed by Sandeep Sharma and produced by his brother Anil Sharma.
What does ‘Valentine’s Day’ mean to you?
It’s a very special day for me. Love is a very beautiful emotion which I still need to experience it. I have never fell in love with someone yet. I am looking for that guy who could sweep me of my feet. So I am actually waiting for my Mr. Right!
Valentine’s Day is a very special day for all the teens; do you have any such memories of the times back in your school or college?
I have so many memories. Like, when I was in college, there was a guy who really liked me and he gave me 500 roses, and gifted me a card, and a bracelet. So that is a very sweet memory. But he was a friend and he had a crush on me.
How to impress a girl on Valentine’s Day?
I am a Super High Maintenance girl! But if some wants to impress me, he should be very direct and not beat around the bushes. If someone likes me, I think he should be very direct and tell about his feelings. And I personally think, a guy should take care of her and he should make and treat her feel very special. That follows with amazing gift.
Tell us something about your ‘Big Boss 8’ experience?
Big Boss 8 was a very memorable show for me. Salman just loved me on the show not just Salman but the channel loved me too.
