Sonakshi Sinha, who was recently seen as the fiesty Fareedan in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, admitted in an interview that she did some problematic 'big films' when she was younger and said that she would never "go back to being called maal (ornamental)."

While talking to Zoom, Sonakshi said, "You can very clearly see the shift in the kind of roles that I have been playing from Akira, so I have not just said it for the sake of saying it. I am staying true to my words. I don’t think I can ever go back to being called maal. It is a step everybody has to take."

Akira (2016) was an action-thriller, directed by AR Murgadoss, in which Sonakshi played a vigilante who battles against acid attacks and female abuse.

"As an artiste, you have a responsibility. There are a lot of people who look up to you. I do stand by the fact that yes I was young and was getting the opportunity to be a part of some very big films. Nobody in their right mind would have said no at that point in time. So I did them, but yes, certain things did feel off even then. Then you grow and people notice it, talk about it, and bring it to your attention. It’s criticism, but it’s constructive,” she added.

Sonakshi started her career with Salman Khan starrer Dabangg (2010). After that, she starred in hits like Rowdy Rathore (2012), Son of Sardaar (2012), Dabangg 2 (2012), and Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty (2014), also directed by Murgadoss.

Sonakshi showcased her acting chops recently in the crime-thriller series Dahaad.