A star in the making, she’s one of the most talked about newcomers in Bollywood. She’s all set to storm the screen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Saawariya. Her father is one of the most versatile actors in the film industry and there is reason to believe some of that has rubbed off on her. CNN-IBN Entertainment Editor Rajeev Masand chats with Sonam Kapoor.

Rajeev Masand: You were not always going to be an actress, were you? It was a happy accident?

Sonam Kapoor: A happy, most amazing accident. I hope it happens again and again. I always wanted to do something creative. According to my father and people who knew me really well, there was always an actor in me. Obviously Mr Bhansali saw that, and, here I am.

Rajeev Masand: I remember your dad saying you were a performer of a kid and he was just dreading the day you were going to announce, ‘I’m going to be an actress.'

Sonam Kapoor: I don’t know why he said that, because he always knew it. There was once a somber party happening at our house and I was this 12-year-old kid wearing a pink outfit and I came out, switched on the music and started dancing. So I think at that point my dad decided that she is an attention-seeking kid and she will become an actor.

Rajeev Masand: Did you grow up watching your dad’s movies?

Sonam Kapoor: Yes. Mr India is the best film a child can watch.

Rajeev Masand: I agree with you.

Sonam Kapoor: I have seen it 20 million times. Also Ram Lakhan, I love the jhatka-matkas. I love Madhuri Dixit. I love Tezaab too.

Rajeev Masand: Do you have a favourite performance?

Sonam Kapoor: Pukar, Eeshwar, Who Saat Din. I can’t choose, he’s different in everything. Like you said, he’s versatile.

Rajeev Masand: Did he sit you down and have a father-daughter chat when it was decided that ‘My daughter is going to be an actress’ ?

Sonam Kapoor: Yes he did. He calls me Giraffe. He said I want you know that what you’re doing is not all glamour; it’s a lot of hard work. It’s a combination of physical and mental labour. The reason why I’m letting you do it is because I know you’re capable but I want you to be aware of the hard work that goes into it.

Rajeev Masand: Your mother wasn’t too thrilled about it. Has she gotten used to it now?

Sonam Kapoor: Yes, she has gotten used to it. She wanted me to study, I’m still studying, go abroad, get married, get a nine to five job. She’s a banker’s daughter, studied economics. But that didn’t happen.

Rajeev Masand: You said you’re still studying.

Sonam Kapoor: Yes, I’m doing my BA through Bombay University correspondence in Political Science and Economics, what my mom wants me to do. Also, I love doing all that, I have studied History.