Sonal Chauhan has been associated with her first film Jannat and her character Zoya for almost two decades. But for the actor, being remembered as a “heaven girl” is not something she feels overshadows her work.
In an exclusive interview with NDTV’s Hardika Gupta, Sonal said that she continues to appreciate the love she got for her debut film and is now equally happy to see audiences connecting with her latest character, Mumtaz.
‘I love being called Jannat Girl’
“I like to be called that heaven the girl I think very few actors get what I got in my first film,” Sonal told NDTV.
She added that even years after the film’s release, she feels special being recognized by her character or the film.
“To this day, I am called by the name of my character, or I am known by the name of heaven Girl, and why should I celebrate it? I think it’s just beautiful that in my first film, I got so much love that the audience still hasn’t grown out of it,” he said.
However, Sonal said that there has been a change in the way the audience recognizes him. While she was earlier known primarily as Zoya, she is now being referred to as Mumtaz after her latest work. Mirzapur movie.
“After all these years, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love being called Jannat Girl, but what I’m really enjoying right now is that earlier I was called Zoya and now everyone calls me Mumtaz,” she said.
‘This is the biggest achievement’
For Sonal, being identified with a character’s name is the biggest achievement for an actor because it means the audience has connected with the character rather than seeing the actor on screen.
“I think for an actor, that’s the biggest achievement when they’re being called by their character’s name, which means I’ve done something right, that they’re seeing me as a character and they’re associating me with that name,” he said.
On her equation with Emraan Hashmi
Sonal also talked about his first co-star Emraan Hashmi, who has returned to the world Avarpan with Absurdity 2Almost two decades after the original film. He said that he is especially happy to see the actor getting the appreciation he deserves.
“I am very happy to see Emraan shine as much as he really deserves. I have always said that he was one of the most underrated actors when I started working with him,” said Sonal.
Reflecting on the beginning of his career, he recalled believing that Imran deserved more recognition.
“At the time I always thought he deserved so much and of course over the years he’s gotten it all, and I’m so happy he’s finally getting his due,” she added.
“He’s someone who really deserves success. He’s very talented, a really, really nice person, very intelligent and most importantly, the audience loves him,” he said.
Sonal also believes that the kind of films Emraan is known for occupy a space that is unique to him.
“I want to see him in more and more films like Awarpan. Because I don’t think anyone in the film industry can do what Emraan does. So, he really owns the place, and he should give more such films to his fans,” she said.
On the possibility of Heaven 3
The actor was also asked about the possibility of a comeback heaven Universe between reports Heaven 3 Research is underway and scripting is underway. Sonal clarified that he has not had any talks about the project yet.
“as far as Heaven 3 Concerned, no, we haven’t talked about it,” he said.
However, Sonal added that whenever there is a third installment, she hopes it retains the special quality associated with the franchise.
“But I’m pretty sure that whenever it happens … it’s going to be something beautiful and something magical because heaven A very special film in itself,” he concluded.