Actor Sonakshi Sinha says it is a significant moment that two women-led films, her Nikita Roy and Kajol-starrer Maa, are releasing side by side.
Nikita Roy, a psychological thriller, is set to release in theatres across the country on June 27, alongside Maa, a mythological horror film.
"It's so cool that we've two films led by women that are releasing side by side. That's like a step in the right direction, and, amazingly, it's happening. And there's room for everyone. Both are different films, and we wish them well. It's like a good, healthy competition (between the two films),” Sonakshi told PTI in an interview.
"I have seen the trailer of Maa, and I enjoyed it. Kajol is a phenomenal actress. She's somebody that I've looked up to and I admire. I'm looking forward to watching her film,” the actor added.
Both films tap into the celebration of strong female narratives, a theme that Sonakshi is passionate about. For years, the actor said she has made a conscious effort to choose roles that empower women, whether it is Akira, Dahaad, or Heeramandi.
“I've made it clear with the choices I've made for the last 8-9 years, that I want to portray strong female characters. It's something that gives me joy to be able to shoulder a film and play a title role, like Nikita Roy, Noor, and Akira. It's very empowering. It's a big thing to be able to do that. I want to be the hero of my films,” Sonakshi said.
In Nikita Roy, she plays the role of an investigator who debunks supernatural claims, exposes frauds, and dismantles deceptive beliefs. But when she encounters a case that defies all beliefs, her convictions begin to falter.
Written by Pavan Kirpalani, who also wrote Phobia, Nikita Roy explores the fragile boundary between perception and reality, unravelling themes of paranoia, buried truths, and the human mind's darker recesses.
It is helmed by Sonakshi's brother, Kussh S Sinha, who is making his debut as a director.
"It's a story that's been with me for a long time. It came to me about ten years ago, and when Kush came to me in 2021-2022 with the story, I said this is a testament to the fact that if a role is written for you, it always comes to you,” the actor said.
With her brother Kussh at the helm, Sonakshi said it turned out to be a smooth collaborative process.
“I thought that as siblings, we would have our squabbles on set, but that was not the case. On set, I was the actor; he was the director. He's clear in his head in terms of what and how he wants to portray a scene,” she said.
Sonakshi said she is in a great space professionally as she gears up for a slew of exciting projects, including her Telugu film debut, Jathadhara, where she stars alongside Sudheer Babu, and the second season of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Heeramandi.
“It's not about the language; it's about the story and role,” she said, adding that the script of Heeramandi is being written and she is waiting to see how the world unfolds.
When asked about not being part of the sequel to her 2012 film, Son of Sardaar, and why female actors are being replaced in franchise movies, Sonakshi said she isn't “upset” about it and believes the makers have a reason to not cast her.
“I haven't had a conversation with anyone (makers of Son of Sardaar). But I'm sure they have a good reason (to not cast me); maybe the story or the character is not the same in the sequel. If they had replaced my character, then I would be worried. But I don't think that's the case. I'm not too upset about it. I wish them all the very best,” she said.
Nikita Roy also stars Arjun Rampal, Paresh Rawal, and Suhail Nayyar in pivotal roles.
The film is produced by Nickky Bhagnani and Viicky Bhagnani. Anand Mehta, Prakash Nand Bijlani, Shakti Bhatnagar, Mehnaaz Shaikh, and Prem Raj Joshi serve as co-producers.