Kussh Sinha opens up on Sonakshi Sinha’s career choices: 'I always felt her full potential wasn’t being tapped'

Sonakshi Sinha has been active in Hindi cinema for more than ten years, yet her brother and filmmaker Kussh Sinha believes that the audience has only witnessed a fraction of her true talent. In a recent interview, Kussh shed light on the lack of suitable film roles for Sonakshi, the difficulties actors encounter when scripts don’t meet expectations, and the added pressure of belonging to a renowned film family.

Kussh Sinha discusses Sonakshi’s potential and roles


In an interview with The Free Press Journal, Kussh discussed Sonakshi’s talent and his belief that her full potential has yet to be realized. He made it clear that he knows her not only as a brother but also as a viewer and has always felt that her full potential hasn’t been fully tapped. Kussh explained that various factors contribute to this, including directors’ reluctance to push stars beyond certain limits due to concerns about what might happen on set. He noted that he had seen her performances in films like ‘Lootera’, ‘Akira’, and ‘Dabangg’ as a newcomer, which showcased her immense range. Kussh praised her role in ‘Nikita Roy’, where she beautifully layered her character with emotional depth, performed action scenes, and reacted convincingly to unseen elements. He described ‘Nikita Roy’ as a very layered character—broken, stubborn, and overconfident—and emphasized that such a role requires an actor who can bring all these nuances to life. Kussh was confident she could do it, and she succeeded. Critics have also said it is one of her best performances to date, highlighting her range and emotional depth. He expressed happiness that they were able to collaborate and bring out this aspect of her talent together.

Kussh on the challenges behind film choices and filmmaking

Kussh also expressed his belief that Sonakshi’s true potential remains untapped and shared his views on why she may not be offered the right films. He explained that it often comes down to choice, as actors sometimes make decisions that don’t turn out to be the best for them. What may seem appealing on paper or exciting during narration can feel very different once on set. While some projects exceed expectations, others do not. As a director, Kussh feels his responsibility is to encourage actors to deliver their best and ensure their performances are authentic, since honest performances keep the audience engaged. However, he does not place all the blame on actors when things don’t work out, recognizing the many variables involved in filmmaking. He noted that translating a story from paper to screen is unpredictable and relies as much on chance as it does on talent.

Kussh on handling pressure and family legacy

On facing pressure as Shatrughan Sinha’s son and Sonakshi’s brother, Kussh candidly said he doesn’t think that kind of pressure can ever be completely avoided. However, he admitted that he has always been the quieter one in the family and doesn’t feel the need to constantly put himself out there. His belief is simple—when you do something worthwhile, your work will speak for itself. Until then, he prefers to stay quiet. Kussh expressed deep appreciation for his father’s achievements in both films and politics, noting that very few people have managed to succeed in both fields. He is equally proud of Sonakshi’s talent and her journey in the industry. However, those are their accomplishments. Since direction is something neither of them has done, that pressure doesn’t directly fall on him. For Kussh, the real concern was to do his work right and justify the responsibility he has taken on.
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