Having played a crucial part in Prakash Kovelamudi’s recent bilingual Size Zero, actor Sonal Chauhan takes us back in time when she wasn’t such a glamorous diva, but an innocent student. Having gained recognition in Bollywood with films like Jannat, Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap and 3G, the Delhi girl has made a name for herself in Tollywood, after successful performances in films like Legend, Pandaga Chesko and Sher. The actor, who’s next film Dictator with Balakrishna is set for a Sankranthi release next year, shares interesting anecdotes about her college days.
Excerpts from an interview with the hot and happening star...
Tell us about your college life. Where did you go to college?
(Laughs) My college life wasn’t very interesting at all. I had just one year of college, where I pursued Philosophy Honours at Gargi College, which is a part of Delhi University.
What was the most memorable experience for you during college?
There was this restaurant right across the street from our college called Mithaas, where we used to get amazing dal makhani and butter naan. So we would make it a habit to go over there and gorge on the food. There were times when we would be short on cash but we would somehow collect money and go to eat the food there. The whole experience is very memorable for me.
Were you an extrovert or an introvert?
I have always been an introvert right through my school and college days. It’s only now that I’ve sort of opened up a little bit.
What was your equation like with your faculty members?
Like I said, I was an introvert. I was a decent student and had a good relationship with everyone, but used to keep to myself.
Tell us an embarrassing moment you faced in college?
I studied in an all-girls college and there were quite a few embarrassing moments for me. For instance, there was this guy who would come to my college and stand outside the gate every single day. It was a gesture which could have flattered any girl of my age, but on the contrary was quite embarrassing for me. I never wanted my friends to find out about this admirer. He was a little weird and would just stand there and stare at me from a distance, which would make me go red in the face.
Do you think your college life helped you in your career?
I hardly attended college, but I think everything in life helps you in some way or the other and plays a role in making you who you are today. I know it’s a bit cliched, but it holds good for me. In my college, there were a lot of fests happening all the time and it gave me a bit more confidence. Before going to college, I had led a very protected life. But in college, I met and interacted with people from different parts of the country and it boosted my confidence. It was in college that I actually performed on stage for the first time. So yes, in its own small ways, college did help me with my career.