Soniya Mehra on Victoria No. 203 
By Screen Weekly, February 12, 2007 - 04:05 IST
She was only two when she lost her father Vinod Mehra. Since then she and her younger brother Rahul have been brought up by their grandparents in Kenya. Soniya Mehra is now in Mumbai to reclaim her legacy in showbiz.
For starters, she has pocketed Saira Banu’s part in the remake of Victoria No. 203...
When did you come to Mumbai and when did you audition for the remake of Victoria No. 203?
I came to Mumbai in December 2005, Since then I have been training and grooming myself for Hindi films. I trained at Anupam Kher’s acting academy - An Actor Prepares, I polished my diction and learnt Kathak from Veeru Krishnaji.
I heard from our interior designer Ajay Kanuga that Kamal Sadanah was casting for Victoria No. 203 and Anupamji also pushed my name. Kamal screen-tested me and I was on.
Have you seen the original? What do you like about your role in it?
I saw it for the first time four years ago. I have seen it twice already since I was signed for the remake. I respect Saira Banu for her beauty and talent, if I can manage to achieve even a quarter of her performance - I would give myself a pat on the back. I found the film simply amazing and the comedy absolutely brilliant. I am sure Anupamji and Omji will reproduce that crackle with their performances.
When do you start shooting for the film?
In mid-February. The film is a perfect Valentine gift that my dream has given me.
Are you aware that your father Vinod Mehra featured in a film produced by Brij Sadanah, Kamal’s father?
I know that both our dads have made a film together. Now Kamal and I making a film together is almost like a blast from the past.
You were too young when you lost your dad, so how do you connect with him - through his films?
I have seen his films, my favourites are Ghar and Do Phool. He is brilliant like the sunshine. Mom tells me that I was daddy’s little girl. He was very fond of me, he would buy me frocks from Bloomigdales and Harrods. I was only two when he passed away and I would keep asking for him and mom would tell me he was away shooting and I believed her then!I hope that his little princess will do him proud.
Since when have you felt like becoming an actor?
Always! Ever since I could think and talk, I wanted to act. I attended my first acting workshop at the age of eight at school in Kenya and our trainers were from the London Music & Acting Academy. I enjoyed my lessons in voice-control, acting and poetry recitation. It came naturally to me, so I felt , “Why not make it a profession?”
But to be a professional actor, does it suffice to be a star kid?
Allow me to clarify that I am a trained actor from Arts Education School of London. I was trained for English theatre, I have played lead roles in Shakespearean plays - like Portia in Julius Caesar, Juliet in Romeo And Juliet and Fairy Tatania in AMidsummer Night’s Dream. I have also played a part in Ali Baba And The 40 Thieves. I honed my acting skill for screen at Anupam Kher’s Academy. So it is certainly not enough to be a star kid. It just makes meeting people simpler but nothing comes to us on a silver platter. It is the talent that counts at the end of the day.
What is your motivation in joining Hindi films?
I came back to pursue my dream. I am very motivated, determined and very ambitious. I am reaching out for the skies, I will be a shining star there.
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