Sonakshi Sinha in Dabangg

She is a star even before her first film has released. Shatrughan Sinha’s daughter Sonakshi Sinha — her Twitter bio reads “Shotgun Junior!” — is “nervous and excited” as she waits for Dabangg to hit the halls today. When t2 called, it was a cheerful and articulate Sonakshi at the other end of the line. And no, Shotgun Junior didn’t sound like the original Shotgun at all!

A day to go for the world to watch Dabangg. Nervous?

It’s mixed emotions really. I am extremely excited one moment, nervous as hell the next. I sometimes feel that I am on an emotional seesaw (laughs). I have been travelling all over the country promoting the film with Salman (Khan, her Dabangg hero) and everywhere the response has been tremendous. I now just want the film to release and the audience to watch it.

The pre-release hype over Dabangg has been huge. Does that put added pressure on you as a newcomer?

On the contrary, I think it just takes the pressure off me to a very large extent. Dabangg has been received so positively even before release that I feel that I am a star already! All the hype and the expectations have actually given me a cushion, it’s a very comfortable space to be in. So much so that if tomorrow, God forbid, the film doesn’t do too well, those 30 seconds in the promo have been enough to make people realise that I know what acting, what dialogue delivery, what camera angles, what expressions are all about. Ab jo hoga dekha jaayega. But someone somewhere up there tells me that all will be well (laughs).

You were all set to become a fashion designer and had rejected quite a few film offers till Dabangg came along. Did you at that point of time realise how huge it would turn out to be?

It’s true I never wanted to be an actress. But Dabangg was a completely different deal altogether. Look at the production house (Arbaaz Khan Productions), look at the co-star (Salman), look at the music (by Sajid-Wajid and Lalit Pandit), look at the scale on which the film has been shot…. There was no way I was going to pass up on a package like that! But honestly, I have to admit that although I knew that Dabangg was big every hour of the day when I was shooting for it, I had no idea it would turn out to be so huge. All I can do is just thank God and pat myself on the back for agreeing to be a part of Dabangg. It’s truly been a life-changing experience.

You were two years old when Maine Pyar Kiya released. And in Dabangg, you have Salman Khan as your co-star…

I know! (Laughs out loud.) But it wasn’t awkward because first, my family has known the Khan family for years now and second, Salman is the most chilled- out co-star one can ever get. He is fun, he is helpful and he just lets you be. He’s a dream co-star for any debutante.

Anything that you learnt about Salman the world doesn’t know?

Everyone knows everything about Salman. His life’s an open book. But I must tell you that his sense of humour is amazing. I know that people know that he has a sense of humour, but believe me the world hasn’t seen even one-tenth of it! You have to just see him in Dabangg. Salman has just brought his character to life; no one could have played Chulbul Pandey better.

What is your Rajo like?

She’s the very strong, silent type. She has an opinion about everything, but she isn’t really opinionated. She isn’t scared of speaking her mind and is totally unpretentious. In many ways, Rajo is the perfect foil for Chulbul Pandey. She keeps him grounded and influences him positively in many ways. It is so much more than a two-scene, two-song character. Rajo, in a way, is at the centre of all that happens in Dabangg.

What was the experience of shooting Dabangg like?

I think I was nervous only till the camera came on during the first day of the shoot. After that, it was one hell of a ride. The cast and crew of Dabangg is probably the most chilled-out you could ever find. Even Abhinav (Singh Kashyap, the director) was so easygoing that you couldn’t really tell that it was his first film too.

How supportive have your parents (Shatrughan and Poonam Sinha) been?

My parents have always stood by me without being intrusive or overbearing. My dad knew what I was doing on the Dabangg sets, what shot I was giving… but never for a single day did he interfere in the film. Meri beti ko itna footage do, yeh shot aise lo, there was nothing of that sort from him. Even when my brother Luv made his debut as an actor this year (in Sadiyaan), my parents were supportive bystanders. They have always allowed us to follow our hearts. They were supportive when I wanted to take up fashion designing and they were more than happy when I wanted to do Dabangg.

Have they watched Dabangg yet?

No. In fact, we are on our way to a special screening now. I can’t wait!

What has the reaction from the industry been like?

Overwhelming! Aamir (Khan) loved the film. Raju (Rajkumar) Hirani (the director of 3 Idiots and the Munnabhai films) couldn’t stop praising Dabangg. I have been on cloud nine. To have people you look up to in the industry react so positively to your first film is half the battle won already. I feel happy as well as humbled.

What can the audience expect from Dabangg?

All-out entertainment. Dabangg is the kind of film whose appeal cuts across age and class. I am sure everyone who watches it will simply love it. And probably go back a second or third time!

Finally, what are Sonakshi’s expectations from Dabangg?

Dabangg has given me so much already. I just hope the film grows bigger and bigger. It’s time for the world to see it.