What is the story about?
Actress Sonam Bajwa, whose Hindi film Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, is running successfully in theatres opened up in an exclusive chat with Zoom about the struggles
female actors face in the industry, especially when they are reduced to mere flower pot roles. The actress, loved for her powerful performances in Punjabi cinema, got candid about how she longed for a role that allowed her to do more than just look glamorous or dance in songs, and how Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat finally gave her that chance.
Sonam Bajwa on her role in Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat
Sonam told Zoom, “Main to abhi bahut nayi hoon Hindi industry ke liye kuch bhi baat karne ke liye kyunki main to abhi khud kadam rakh rahi hoon aur main wait kar rahi thi ki mujhe aisa role mile jahan par main siway gaano mein dance aur glamorous lagne ke alawa bhi kuch kar sakoon. To wo is film mein hua. Gaane bhi mujhe mile dance karne ke liye jiske liye main bahut grateful hoon because those are my absolute favourite songs. I’m very happy. Aur is baat ke liye bhi bahut grateful hoon ki mujhe thoda perform karne ka bhi mauka mila. Aisa likha gaya hai. It was an author backed role.
(Translation: I’m still very new to the Hindi film industry, so it’s too soon for me to make big statements. I was waiting for a role where I could do more than just look glamorous or dance in songs, and this film gave me that. I also got to perform in sings that are my absolute favourites. I am grateful the role was written this way.)
Sonam Bajwa praises Deepika, Alia, Kangana
Further praising her peers, Sonam said, “Yahaan par of course actresses like Alia Bhatt, Deepika, Kangana un sab ne aisi films ki hain jo ki commercially bhi successful hui hain aur entertain bhi kiya hai aur box office pe paisa bhi kamaya hai. Vidya ma’am, Tapsee also, bahut saari actresses hain. Yahan par bhi all the actresses are doing so well.”
(Translation: Here, of course, actresses like Alia Bhatt, Deepika, and Kangana have done films that are both commercially successful and entertaining. Even Vidya ma’am and Taapsee - all these actresses are doing incredibly well.)
She also shared her thoughts on the internal struggle many actresses face when their roles are sidelined. “Aur jo commercial bhi kaam kar rahi hain mujhe pata hai ki kahin na kahin har female actor ye desire karti hai ki kuch to mujhe bhi aisa feel ho na ki main bhi zaroori thi film ke liye. Ye ek bahut hi basic thought hai. Very often actress female actors go through this and I have gone through this that where you are really part of a film or you are not really part of a film - it has made no difference.”
(Translation: Every female actor desires to feel that she was important to the film. It’s a very basic human thought. Often, actresses go through this, I’ve felt it too, where you’re part of a film but your presence makes no real difference.)
Sonam on the trend changing
Sonam added that change is visible now, and women are finally getting stronger, performance-driven roles. “Dil to sabka karta hai ki aapko aise roles mile aur yahan par bhi kaafi time se main to dekh rahi hoon ki aise roles hain aur dheere-dheere aur bhi aa rahe hain. Ab jaise ismein jo maine pehle filmein ki hain aur Hindi mein aur abhi jo main ismein kar rahi hoon bahut fark hai. So mujhe bhi thode time baad aisa mauka mila. But it’s changing.”
(Translation: Everyone wishes for such roles. I can see that such characters are being written now and more are coming up. Compared to my previous work, this film feels different. I finally got this opportunity after some time - things are definitely changing.)
Watch full interview with Sonam Bajwa and Harshvardhan Rane:
Sonam Bajwa’s honesty reflects the evolving space for women in Indian cinema, one where actresses are no longer just seen but are finally being heard, valued, and given roles that truly matter. However, we still have a long way to go!
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