Born: June 9, 1985, ChemburHeight: 1.77 m
Siblings: Rhea Kapoor, Harshvardhan Kapoor
Parents: Anil Kapoor, Sunita Kapoor
Education: United World College of South East Asia, Arya Vidya Mandir, University of Mumbai, University of East London
Sonam Kapoor (born 9 June 1985) is an Indian actress and a former model. She is the daughter of Indian film actor Anil Kapoor. Kapoor garnered international recognition as a spokesperson for the French beauty brand L'Oreal.
Kapoor made her acting debut in 2007 in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariya opposite Ranbir Kapoor and subsequently featured in the offbeat drama Delhi-6 (2009). She earned her first commercial success with the romantic comedy I Hate Luv Storys (2010), and followed with films such as Aisha, and Mausam (2011). Whilst the former brought her acknowledgment as a fashionista and praise for her unique sense of style; the latter earned her critical appreciation for her performance.
In 2013, Kapoor received immense recognition from critics for her role in the commercially successful romantic drama Raanjhanaa which is referred as her best performance to date. She subsequently featured in the biographical sports film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, her second consecutive huge success in 2013. Kapoor has thus established herself as one of the most popular and promising contemporary actresses in Hindi cinema.
Early life
Kapoor was born in the suburb of Chembur, Mumbai on 9 June 1985. She is the daughter of actor Anil Kapoor and ex-model Sunita Kapoor and the granddaughter of filmmaker Surinder Kapoor. The family moved to a house in the suburb of Juhu, where her parents still reside, when she was one month old. Kapoor is the eldest of three children; the others are sister Rhea Kapoor and brother Harshvardhan. She is the niece of producer Boney Kapoor, actor Sanjay Kapoor and producer Sandeep Marwah. Producer Mona Shourie Kapoor and actress Sridevi are her aunts.She is also the first cousin of actor, Arjun Kapoor, Anushala Kapoor and second cousin of actor Ranveer Singh from her mothers side.
She attended the Arya Vidya Mandir school in Juhu and then enrolled in the United World College of South East Asia, boarding school in Singapore, to do her International Baccalaureate. She studied theatre and arts in Singapore for 2 years. She also studied Political Science and Economics from University of East London. She speaks English, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi and Marathi and is a well trained classical dancer.
Career
2004-08: Early work and film debut
Before starting her career off as an actress, Sonam and Ranbir Kapoor worked as assistant directors under Sanjay Leela Bhansali in 2004, and assisted him during the making of his film, Black which was released in early 2005
She made her acting debut alongside newcomer, Ranbir Kapoor in Bhansali's Saawariya (2007), which failed to do well at the box office, but her performance opened to mixed to good reviews by critics. Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama commented saying, "Sonam Kapoor is an average actor. However, her role doesn't give her the opportunity to display histrionics. She looks gorgeous at places, but plain ordinary at times." GlamSham.com wrote, "As for Sonam, she matches Ranbir, step for step. A gorgeous looker, she carries off her role with aplomb as the one who is looking for her love to return. Her huge eyes portray her emotions and her confidence is personified in every frame; whether she is playfully fooling around with Ranbir or anxiously looking out for her Imaan (Salman Khan) to return. It looks like these two were born to act. The chemistry between the two is awesome." Naresh K. D. of apunkachoice.com said, "Sonam, though undoubtedly gorgeous, seems ill at ease with her part. In one close-up shot just after her introduction, her face - supposed to express sadness - is completely bereft of emotion. In the second half, however, she manages to sink her teeth better into her character."Sonam had no release in 2008, although, was nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut, though lost out to actress Deepika Padukone for Om Shanti Om, which, coincidentally was released alongside Saawariya.
2009-12: Initial success and professional setbacks
n 2009, Kapoor appeared in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's Delhi-6, opposite Abhishek Bachchan. The film flopped at the box office and received mixed critical reviews, but her performance was praised and she received recognition from within and outside the film industry. Critic Rajeev Masand commented, "Sonam Kapoor is the revelation in Delhi 6. She's a firecracker, instinctive and uninhibited in what isn't even a conventional female lead". Sonia Chopra, film criric from Rediff commented, "Sonam Kapoor is an earnest and effortless performer so she does make you like the character somewhat, despite the typical Delhi-girl recipe".
In 2010, she appeared in Punit Malhotra's I Hate Luv Storys opposite Imran Khan. The film went on to become her first box office success, collecting over INR40 crore (US$6.4 million) at the domestic box office. Kapoor also garnered positive reviews for her performance as film critic Taran Adarsh from Bollywood Hungama commented saying, "Sonam is a revelation. From salwars Saawariya, Delhi 6] to skirts in I Hate Luv Storys, Sonam finally gets a role that does justice to her as an actress. The ease and class with which she carries off the glam look is fantastic. She's like a whiff of fresh air and you actually wonder, is she the same girl from Saawariya and Delhi 6? In fact, I Hate Luv Storys will only multiply Imran and Sonam's fan base manifold."
She next appeared in the romantic comedy, Aisha, opposite Abhay Deol, which was a decent success at the box office, as it was declared an "average" grosser. Kapoor also received mainly positive to mixed reviews for her performance. Film critic Sonia Chopra of Sify.com gave a favourable review stating, "Sonam Kapoor gives an ace performance as the somewhat nasty-sometimes angelic Aisha. With this role rendered so perfectly, Sonam has proven herself to be an actor to watch out for, capable of belting out an entire range of emotions". NDTV Movies also gave a positive review as they wrote, "But the film belongs to Sonam Kapoor, make no mistake of that. She makes the best of a rather rare opportunity for an Indian leading lady to be part of a Bollywood film that salutes Victorian mores and Delhi's elitist affectations in one clean cool sweep". However, Rajeev Masand of IBN Live only gave a mixed review, as he said, "...doesn't help that Sonam Kapoor offers a cardboard cutout personality to the lead. She plays the airhead convincingly and pulls off the flighty princess part, but flounders when it comes to drumming up tears, anger or hurt", after criticizing the writing of the character.
Sonam's first release in 2011, Thank You was a critical failure, although the film was a moderate success at the box office, as its collections surpassed the INR45 crore (US$7.2 million) mark. Despite this, Kapoor's performance garnered mainly negative reviews from top critics, as entertainment site One India wrote, "Sonam Kapoor looks terribly out of sync in the film. Her make up in Thank You is just not right at all, she sometimes looks glamorous and sometime pale on-screen." The same year, she made an appearance at the 64th Cannes Film Festival representing L'Or�al, the brand she endorses in India.
Her second film of the year was the romance film Mausam, in which she and co-star Shahid Kapoor had four different looks representing each of the four seasons. The film received mixed reviews and was a failure at the box office. However, Kapoor's performance was appreciated by most prominent critics. Taran Adarsh commented, "For Sonam, Mausam will prove to be a turning point in her career. Astonishing � that would be the right word to describe her work this time around. The confidence with which she handles the distinct characterization speaks volumes". Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV commented, "Sonam Kapoor may still have some way to go as an actress, but she conveys the essential vulnerability of a girl forever under duress, bringing out just the right mix of feminine fragility and native resolve."
Her first release of 2012 is Players, a remake of The Italian Job, alongside Abhishek Bachchan, Bipasha Basu and Neil Nitin Mukesh. The film received mixed to negative reviews and didn't do well at the box office. Her performance received mainly mixed reviews from top critics. Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama stated that, "It's an image transformation for Sonam in PLAYERS. She has never done a full-on glamorous role before and Players should change the perception. However, the rawness, as an actor, shows in a variety of scenes." However, Martin D'Souza, of glamsham.com said, "But it is Sonam Kapoor who disappoints. I get the feeling that the poor girl is trying too hard to play this 'oomphy' character. She is either overawed by Bipasha or is rattled by the recent spate of her flops."
2013-present: Success and recent work
Kapoor made her third appearance at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2013. Her first release of 2013, Raanjhanaa, opened to a positive critical reception and proved to be a commercial success, netting INR34 crore (US$5.4 million) nett approx domestically in the first week.
Kapoor's portrayal of Zoya Haidar, a headstrong but emotional middle class girl, earned her positive reviews throughout the globe, with Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama noting that "The actor in Sonam was waiting for a role that would make the spectator sit up and notice it and the one in Raanjhanaa gives her that opportunity. The headstrong and emotional persona comes across so well in this film. In addition, like Delhi 6, she's devoid of makeup and that makes the character so appealing. This film is a huge leap frontward for Sonam as an actor." Komal Nahta agrees, saying that "Sonam Kapoor looks very pretty and plays Zoya beautifully. The character of Zoya has tremendous range and Sonam does full justice to it. Her transition is amazing." Rajeev Masand adds that "[Kapoor] does some of her best work here, going smoothly from innocent to manipulative to cynical, without ever losing Zoya�s inherent vulnerability." Joginder Tuteja also writes positively, saying that "Sonam is a revelation and though she has seen appreciation coming her way in earlier films, this one would stand out as a milestone and her career best till date. Playing well on the front foot in an author backed role, she delivers, and how. Moreover, her act in the last 15-20 minutes of the film go on to stun you".
She next appeared in the biographical sports film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag opposite Farhan Akhtar and Pakistani actress Meesha Shafi. Her role Biro was of Akhtar's former love-interest. The film opened to tremendous critical acclaim and was termed as a huge box office success on the second day of release itself. Moreover, her performance also met with positive reviews. Mohar Basu of entertainment site Koi Moi wrote, "Sonam Kapoor has a lovely tinge in her little role in her limited screen time, she will flatter you enough that you actually feel bad that Milkha and Biro eventually part ways!".Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama also mentioned, "Sonam puts her best foot forward as well. Although the character is brief, she shines in those pertinent moments nonetheless". Gayatri Shankar of Zee News stated, "Sonam, though has very little screen time, does her bit quite well". Joginder Tuteja of Movie Talkies also gave a positive review saying, "Sonam Kapoor has a very minor role and after Raanjhanaa, we wish we could have got to see more of her in this film".
Kapoor began shooting for Yash Raj Film's next co-starring Ayushmann Khurrana on 5 February 2013. The film is directed by Nupur Asthana (of Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge fame) and is slated for a late 2013 release. She has also been signed on for Rhea Kapoor's next, a remake of the 1980 film Khubsoorat starring Rekha. Kapoor and director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra also confirmed her presence as the lead actress of his next film, a mythological adventure thriller opposite her I Hate Luv Storys co-star Imran Khan.
Other work
Philanthropy
In 2009, Kapoor participated in the International Indian Film Academy Awards, also known as "IIFA" charity fashion show.
In 2012, Kapoor asked for fans to donate to the Ogaan Cancer Foundation for her birthday. They also collaborated to create an awareness for breast cancer.
Endorsements
Kapoor says she only endorses in the brands she believes in. Kapoor has endorsed brands such as Electrolux, Spice Mobile and Mont Blanc. She has also endorsed for an international skin care brand and a brand with her father, Anil Kapoor. Kapoor has also shot for a diamond jewelry print ad and commercial, which is a sub-brand of Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council. Kapoor is also currently the face of an international cosmetic and beauty brand L'Oreal. According to reports, Kapoor's fee for endorsements is INR3 crore (US$480,000), thus making her one of the highest paid celebrities for endorsements in India
In the media
Public image
Due to her being from a film background, Kapoor has always been in the media spotlight since a young age. Her debut alongside Ranbir Kapoor was also heavily hyped due to the stated reason. Kapoor is known for having a "outspoken" and "bold" personality, as perceived from various media interactions, how she presents herself in public and her choice of films. Since the release of Aisha (2010), Kapoor has been widely recognized as a "fashionista", due to her unique sense of style. Therefore, she regularly features on fashion magazine covers based in India, such as Stardust and Filmfare.Kapoor has also featured on the covers of many Indian editions to international magazines such as Vogue, FHM,Maxim, GQ,NOTCH,Grazia, Verve,Elle and Femina. Kapoor also tops in best-dressed lists, and constantly attracts media attention for what she wears at events and film promotions. In January 2012, fashion designer and model Victoria Beckham posted a picture of Kapoor wearing a dress designed by her on micro-blogging site Twitter, saying, "Beautiful actress @sonamakapoor wearing #victoriabeckham", to which Kapoor replied back by saying "Your dress makes me beautiful! Thank you! @victoriabeckham". A marketing manager of one of the brands she endorses also praised her sense of style saying, "She comes across as an honest person and is highly fashionable".
Controversies
In November 2010, Kapoor appeared on Koffee With Karan, a popular chat show along with actress Deepika Padukone. Her comments on her rumoured ex-boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor led to a lot of controversy among Bollywood inner-circles. During an interview in June 2012, Kapoor made seemingly negative remarks on fellow actress Katrina Kaif, as she stated, "I don�t know how she does it. You need a certain kind of commitment and a certain kind of shamelessness to do certain things and you get that may be with stardom, with confidence in your talent, with who you are as a person, and I need to develop that before I do that kind of films � over the top films. I need to learn how to do it as I was terrible in those movies." Although, Kapoor later stated that the media misinterpreted her on these comments, as she was only trying to compliment Kaif.
Personal life
Kapoor prefers to keep her personal life away from media attention. There have been numerous reports regarding her dating life, however, she has never confirmed these.
During the filming of Kapoor's debut film, Saawariya it was widely speculated that she was in a romantic relationship with co-star, Ranbir Kapoor. However, it was denied by both the actors. After the films release, it was reported the couple had broken up. Later, it was reported that she is in a relationship with her I Hate Luv Storys director, Punit Malhotra, although, despite the fact that this was also denied by both, it was continued to be reported. In January 2013, it was believed the couple had separated.
Kapoor has also stated that her closest friends in the industry are actors Kareena Kapoor, Asin, Jacqueline Fernandez, Imran Khan and Dhanush, and fashion designer Shehla Khan.