'Mani Ratnam told me I resemble Mr Bachchan'

Mani Ratnam thinks he has a Bachchanesque appeal. Salman Khan thinks he has a fabulous body. Yet, in the treacherous world of one-upmanship, Sonu Sood stands on steady ground, letting his work do the talking. Back from Toronto after being named ‘Best Actor in a Negative Role’ at IIFA 2011 for his portrayal of Chhedi Singh in Dabanng, Sonu is headed for London to shoot for Rana with Rajnikanth. And this while his next, Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap, alongside Amitabh Bachchan, releases on 1 July. He spoke to Firstpost about his upward trek in Bollywood and his thoughts on making it to the Bollywood fab-ab club. [caption id=“attachment_32819” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Sonu Sood in a still from the film Bbuddha Hoga Terra Baap. BHUPI”]  [/caption] You have worked with Abhishek Bachchan in Yuva_, Akshay Kumar in_ Singh is King_, Hrithik Roshan in_ Jodhaa Akbar_, Salman Khan in_ Dabanng and now, with Amitabh Bachchan in Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap_; your work has brought you 14 awards…_ I have been acting for nine years now, six of which have been full of angst before I got to the last fours years of success and recognition. It has been tough, but when you reach this rewarding space, it doesn’t seem difficult at all. Working with all these talented actors is wonderful but working with Mr Bachchan in Bbuddah… has been incredible. In the film, I play a cop who is on a mission to eradicate the underworld. It’s a film that revisits Mr Bachchan’s ‘angry young man’ days. It was easy and dangerous to work with someone like him because he is perfection. What he has done, no one can do and it is very dangerous to attempt it too because he has done it to perfection. I think one should never try to imitate the best! He is an inspiration. If I hadn’t worked with Mr Bachchan, I would have never been able to call myself a complete actor. With him on the sets, I learnt acting all over again. Mani Ratnam told me long back when I was shooting for his film Yuva, that I resembled Mr Bachchan and could actually pass off as his son. Abhishek was around when he said that and he agreed. And Abhishek and I actually played brothers in that film. It was Mani sir who noticed this physical semblance first and after that, I have heard it many times since, and I am humbled by the comparison. It is thrilling in a way. [caption id=“attachment_32821” align=“alignright” width=“350” caption=““I met Salman recently and he insisted that I show him my abs.” BHUPI”]  [/caption] This is all very well, but your name alone cannot sell a film yet, despite the acclaim and super-hits simply because you are not in the elite club of the Khans, Kumar, Roshan and Devgn. How do you plan to rectify this? I am grateful for having reached the position that I have in the business — a small-town boy from Moga in Punjab. To be working with such talent in itself is a high. I am ambitious, but realistic too. I have recently started filming Kabir Kaushik’s Maximum. It is my first solo lead film where I will be working alongside accomplished actors like Naseeruddin Shah. The rest of the cast is still being finalised. It is a start towards trying to “sell a film” on my name. Let’s see how it goes. After Dabanng_, you have joined the fab-ab club in Bollywood, that has few members – Salman, Hrithik, John…_ It was very gracious of Salman to give me a scene that showed off my body, especially since he’s “the body” and the hero of the film. My name is associated with fitness more than ever after Dabanng and it feels good. I met Salman recently and he insisted that I show him my abs! I was embarrassed and flattered because he is the guy who put fitness on the map in our country, and he thinks I am fit. Sometimes, I can’t believe we exchange tips and exercise together whenever we get the time to do so. Acting and being buff are two separate things. I notice many newcomers concentrate more on being body beautiful than honing their acting skills. There are hundreds of gyms in the country and even more aspiring actors inside them. Having a sculpted body is not enough in the film industry — the right expressions and experience as an actor is an absolute must. Investment in an acting class or theatre is far more valuable. An actor can survive this tough business, but just being a body-builder isn’t enough to take you through.