Sonam for more book-based films

She is backing the ‘word to screen’ campaign promoted at the annual Mumbai Film Festival

A platform in Mumbai encourages the literary world to engage directly with creative people in film, television and the digital space.

The third edition of Word to Screen Market was part of the recent Jio MAMI 20th Mumbai Film Festival. For the third year in a row, Sonam Kapoor Ahuja campaigned for books to be made into films.

In an interview with Surupasree Sarmmah of Metrolife, Sonam spoke about her association with MAMI, her upcoming films and more.

How was your experience been with the campaign?

I have been associated with it since its onset and it is something I am excited to be a part of. It’s an effort to kind of propel literature forward in some way and to understand that content is what makes the film.

Your thoughts on books being made into films?

The stories are great. Sometimes, when a writer is writing just for a book and not for a film, it’s not corrupted. I think ‘word to screen’ is a wonderful concept and should be considered a separate category for awards. In fact, the Oscars have a category for ‘adapted from’. It should be something we recognise in India more.

Which do you prefer more: books or movies made from books?

I prefer books.

Which is that one book you want to be made into a movie?

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.

Your upcoming film ‘The Zoya Factor’ is based on a book. Do you feel a story is diminished somewhere, given that Bollywood goes overboard with emotions and colours?

I have read the book several times, and author Anuja Chauhan has been part of the writing of the screenplay as well. She has written the dialogues, so it’s all her vision translated onto the screen.

On the work front, how is it going for your upcoming film - Zoya Factor? Are you excited to work with a new hero: Dulquer Salmaan?

I haven’t started shooting with him yet, but yes, I am looking forward to it.