He is the tough guy with a heart of gold, towering above all, exuding an enviable wattage that goes beyond the silver screen, with genuine admirers growing by the million in India and beyond. Actor, hero and entrepreneur Sonu Sood is in a league unto himself. With reasons enough.
As an actor, Sonu has worked his mettle to an advantage in memorable blockbusters including Dabangg, Singh is King, Happy New Year, Jodhaa Akbar, Shootout at Wadala, Simbba, and Kurukshetra. His range of roles explores his sense of comic timing, shades of villainy, lead roles in the muscle and romantic genres, multi-starrers, impressive performances in tragedies, period dramas, action movies and more. His repertoire brings in box office spinners in Hindi, Telugu, Chinese, and English movies with Sonu filling up every frame with inborn ease and panache.
Fitness is a daily anthem for Sonu, and is an integral part of his life. “Perhaps it was my level of fitness that held me in good stead in the mountainous terrain in Kaza. I have been visiting Himachal Pradesh as a kid with my parents, but this recent visit to Kaza stirred something deep in my heart. It was a surreal adventure, and I am planning to go back there again, this time with my family,” he confesses.
Sonu is no stranger to winning hearts, as the deafening cheers of his fans, and their outpouring online and in real life, stem from their genuine love and gratitude for him. He humbly rose to the fore during the pandemic and won millions of hearts, lending people in distress a generous helping hand. His autobiography -“I Am No Messiah” – maps his journey of becoming an actor and his community work during the pandemic.
Up next is his directorial debut, Fateh, where he plays the lead and is paired with actor Jacqueline Fernandes. The movie comes up for release towards the end of 2024. “It is a massive project as I don the mantle of the lead actor, director and producer for Fateh,” he shares with a smile.
SPEED DEMON
Sonu thrives on travel, and motorbikes, and his recent visit to Kaza in Himachal Pradesh gave him the chance to roll both his passions into one.
“I was completely consumed by the sense of adventure that envelops Kaza, for me. The landscape is simply stunning – I feel no pictures can do complete justice to the beauty of the clouds, mountains, rivers, and rocks,” says Sonu who has been an avid biker during his college days as an engineering student in Nagpur. “Yet the thrill of manoeuvering the motorbike across the tough terrain was so special. Powering the bike with mountains lining the slim roads, stopping across rivers and blocked canals, and thundering ahead was a magical experience,” he says.
“I thought I would ride for 5-7 km, but ended up on the bike for seven hours at a stretch at a time. It took me in many ways, back to my college days,” says Sonu.
OF BONDING
“I love spending time with people: in their homes, standing in the lanes and eating with them. It is a beautiful feeling. The locals in Kaza are so warm and welcoming. They would quickly flip hot rotis and vegetables for me at their dhabas. Sharing food with them that they made with so much love, in the cold weather was an indescribable feeling,” says Sonu.
IN SYNC
“I have shot several movies in Himachal yet this was my first time in Kaza. The beauty of this experience was that it gave me time to enjoy the location solo as well. I enjoyed my outdoor workouts, midst the mountains, breathing in the crisp, fresh air. Staring at the peaks, at the stunning landscapes gave me time to introspect in the stillness of nature.”
WHEN KAZA CALLS
Sonu shares ways in which to maximise your trip to Kaza
FIT & FAB
Be well and stay fit. There is lesser oxygen with increasing altitude and if you want to make the most of your time in Kaza and explore the terrain on foot and bikes, you need to work it up beforehand.
CARRY ON
Warm wear keeps you snug and cosy, especially when the temperature dips in the night. Keep a camera handy to capture the stunning sights every moment, and in every direction.
PREP WELL
Kaza celebrates nature in her rawest, most stunning form. Go with the flow. The absence of luxury facilities is an advantage that takes you out of your comfort zone, letting you bond with nature, and with the warm-hearted people of Kaza.
Shilpi Madan for Indigo Hello 6 E