ACTOR Sona might have stolen the hearts of many with her charm but there is more to it than just being a glam girl. She turned a producer recently by launching Uniq Productions and announcing the film 'Odu Machi Odu' to be produced under the banner.
Unfortunately, things didn’t seem to turn well for the debut producer and the film had to be postponed. Director Jailani, who made the film 'Kelvikuri' in 12 days that launched Sona in Kollywood, was chosen to direct and act in the film. The director even had chosen Claudia, a German actor and singer through an online audition to play the female lead.
The film was also announced with Mumbai model Shwetha and Mr Chennai Michael playing important parts in the film.
When all things were set and the film was planned to be shot in various locales abroad and in India, producer Sona discovered something fishy about the German actor that her director had chosen. She immediately verified about her in the internet and, to her chagrin, found nude and obscene pictures of the actress. Sona immediately decided not to have her in the film.
“I was stunned to see such pictures of her in the net,” says Sona, her state of shock visible. The director then requested Sona to do that particular role. But she refused.
“I don’t want to act in my own production.
Also, the script needed a foreign girl who’s slim and I knew I won’t fit the role. So, we decided to postpone the project for the time being,” explains the actorturned- producer.
A delay in her first production has not stopped her from planning for the future.
Sona has now selected another pacy script that she has planned as a bilingual. “The announcement will be made in the second week of June,” she informs. And this film too will bring new technicians that will bring a universal appeal to her film. “All I can say is that the director was previously an assistant to many big filmmakers in Kollywood and this will be his debut. Almost 70 percent of the discussion is through,” hints Sona, who now plans to make her Uniq production, a corporate company that can produce two or three small budgets films a year giving preference new talent, hence making filmmaking more accessible to skilled technicians.
Eyeing direction as her ultimate goal, producing films has been a training ground for her. “I have now applied for a direction course in the UK. But before that, I’ll try learning as much as I can through producing and acting in films,” says the svelte actor.
SONA’S STINT IN KOLLYWOOD
SONA started her career in Kollywood with ‘Sivapathikaaram’.
But the film that made people notice her was 'Pathu Pathu', apart from her comedy act with Vadivelu in ‘Kuselan’. Since then Sona has acted in over 30 films in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam.
Besides handling her store and discussing films to be produced, Sona will be next seen in three Malayalam films including one with actor Mohanlal’s son, one with actor Kalabhavanmani and the third with a new face. In Kollywood she has 'Azhagar Malai' and a film with actor Ashwin Shekar. “There was this talk that I’ll stop acting because I became a producer. I now want to clarify that I will continue acting, though I will also handle other things,” informs Sona.
ONE-STOP SHOP FOR FASHION ACCESSORIES FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE
PRODUCING films does not seem to be the only aspiration for Sona. Dabbling her entrepreneurial skills, the glam girl recently launched her store Uniq that gives a glimpse of the highend fashion to the Chennaiites. Sona decided to launch the store when she realised that there was no proper store in the city that offered the latest in the international fashion scene. “All the actors travel to Mumbai to make their purchases. That’s why I thought of launching a store here,” says Sona. The store has two sections. The front section boasts of accessories including bags and shoes that are best for occasions and an average Chennaiite would find it affordable for such reasons. The back section has everything that a fashion conscious person would crave for.
The newly launched back section has clothes for men and women, lingerie, suits, night dresses and many more that are not just the latest in trend but also affordable by all.
She is now looking for another prime location in the city for another outlet of Uniq. Besides this, she also has plans of launching Uniq in Hyderabad, apart from having a store on interiors in Chennai
tejonmayam@epmltd.com