Sonam Kapoor isn’t your typical Bollywood A-lister. The star of biopic Neerja arrives at our Spring 2017 shoot with minimal fanfare; glossy hair tucked into a topknot, face free of makeup, nailing casual London chic in cashmere knits and a Burberry trench.
She’s known for having a tongue that’s supposedly as sharp as her dress sense, but as I hand her a cup of jasmine tea, all I see is a captivating girl-next-door, albeit one with supermodel-lithe limbs and superb bone structure. She’s undeniably Bollywood’s reigning style Queen, but I want to see what’s underneath that fashionable exterior...
Lehenga by Sabyasachi available from Aashni + Co. Jewellery from Red Dot Jewels. Right Bangle from Cartier
Have your parents (the legendary Anil and Sunita) revealed the secret to a happy marriage?
“They’ve been married 33 years! They met at high school and since they were 16, they’ve only ever had eyes for each other. Does that even happen any more? They’re best friends, which is very important. Mutual respect and friendship is the basis for everything.”
Are you like, Dad, chill out?
“When we (brother Harshvardhan and sister Rhea) were younger we were like, gross! Now I think it’s sweet that they still call each other “baby”.
Lehenga by Payal Singhal available at Aashni + Co. All jewellery from Red Dot Jewels
Is their marriage something you’d want for yourself?
“I’d love it! But it’s very difficult to find a love like that. I would love to share the same friendship with someone special. You have to have a similar world view and a strong moral compass.”
What would you look for in a future Mr Sonam Kapoor?
“Mr Sonam Kapoor?! I love that! Kindness is essential, as well as compassion and striving to be a better person. Honestly, looks fade and while it’s important, it’s not the most important thing. I would like someone who’s into health and fitness. As long as you’re healthy and have a good heart, you’ll always look good.”
Lehenga by Payal Singhal available at Aashni + Co. All jewellery from Red Dot Jewels
You come from a family of megastars, have you been to some epic parties?
“Yes, my cousin’s wedding in Abu Dhabi! There were 950 guests and we celebrated non-stop for four days, it was insane!”
Did it inspire ideas for your own wedding one day?
“You know what, I don’t believe in thinking too much about the future. I dress in couture (for shoots) and go to parties all the time, so what would be really special would be to do something my way. I would rather have 50 people that I love at my wedding, make sure they had the best time and give the extra money to charity."
So would you elope, or have a secret wedding?
“I don’t know! As long as I’m in my pyjamas by 10pm, I’d be happy!”
How did you get a rep for being such a straight talker?
“My brother, sister and I were raised as equals. A rule for one of us meant a rule for all. It was only when I began working, I realised people thought very differently to the way we’d been brought up. People would say, “Oh, she’s so brash in the way she speaks”, and I’m like, I just have an opinion. I couldn’t understand it, I was shocked. They don’t expect an Indian girl to say what she thinks."
Gold lehenga by Sabyasachi available from Aashni + Co. Earrings and necklace from Red Dot Jewels. Bangle and ring from Amrapali
You’re a gay rights supporter, tell us about that
“I like to call myself a LGBTQ supporter. It’s just about equality. It shouldn’t matter what colour you are, your sex or your sexual preference. It’s about being a human being. I don’t know why there’s so much fear, I find it very disturbing. Perhaps it’s a privileged way of thinking. I don’t think my mum has ever told me it’s not okay to be straight or gay. Nor did my dad. I guess with my parents being artists and growing up in a bohemian household, it wasn’t an issue. Love is love.”
While we’re on the subject, what was your first fashion love?
“Coco Chanel, because she was such a feminist. She took a bourgeois way of dressing and completely turned it around. I like people who have their own voice. The first designer anything I bought was a Chanel bag, with my own money.”
What is style?
“Style is being yourself. You can go out in jeans and a t-shirt and totally rock it. As long as you’re confident, you can wear anything. I wasn’t trying to be anybody when I stared dressing and I think that’s why people started following me, because I don’t look like a manufactured doll. Just be happy with yourself.”
Left: Lehenga by Sabyasachi available from Aashni + Co. Earrings and necklace from Red Dot Jewels. Bangle and ring from Amrapali. Centre: Jacket & dhoti pants by Anamika Khanna available from Aashni + Co. Jewellery from Amrapali. Right: Lehenga by Payal Singhal available at Aashni + Co. All jewellery from Red Dot Jewels
Tell us about your app
“It puts me so much closer to my fans, my Tribe. I post the pictures and videos to my app myself. Even with my Insta and Snapchat and Twitter, I do it myself because otherwise, what is the point of having social media? My fans deserve more.”
Tell us something about you that no one knows
“I was born oolta (upside down), so now I have a scar on my cheek from the forceps. You can only see it in certain light. The doctors tried to shift me around but my face got stuck, I guess I was in a hurry to get out! I was born a little late. Perhaps that’s why I’m a punctuality freak now.”
That’s unusual for a star...
“I think there’s more diva-like behaviour from the older generation, but my generation, we’re always on time. It’s just good manners.”
Jacket & dhoti pants by Anamika Khanna available from Aashni + Co. Jewellery from Amrapali.
Editor-in-Chief: Sonia Ullah
Creative Director: Manni Sahota
Features Editor: Abha Shah
Fashion Editor: Vikas Rattu
Assisted by: Anika Ullah, Prits Gosal, Stefan Jagdev
Photography: Paul Farnham
Hair & Makeup: Gini Bhogal
Flowers: Larry Walshe