Exclusive: Sonam Arora on playing transgender Angel’s role in Shakti - While my parents are supportive, my relatives have not been that accepting

Sonam Arora, who is currently playing the character of ‘Angel’ in Shakti – Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki, highlights the journey of a transgender. Sonam plays the character of Angel, a transgender. Her character is that of an antagonist, who clashes against Saumya (Rubina Dilaik). As the cast is currently shooting at Agra, ETimes TV got talking to Sonam, talks about how this role happened to her, how she feels proud to represent a section of the society that is often looked down upon in society, her family’s reaction and more.

I am so happy and glad that I got this role to play. I never thought I will get this kind of character in my career. My role has been received well by the audience. It's been seven months I am playing Angel's role and I feel blessed.

When I got this role, there was 1% doubt in my mind, because of society. I thought people might get judgemental or maybe get typecast in a role. Secondly, I thought that if I got this role, that means I am capable enough to play such a role. So, I thought of taking it up and proving to everyone that this is my job. And when I finally started playing the role of Angel, I got so much appreciation.

I can’t forget the day when my role made an entry for the first time. My entire family saw it. My father called me. His favourite actor is Sunny Deol and being Punjabis, we speak in that language. He told me, ‘Oh ho Sunny Deol wargi’ (Like Sunny Deol). He started comparing my performance with him and he was very happy. That was a very big compliment. I have played bold scenes and also a boy’s role previously, and my family has always been supportive of my work.

(Laughs) My school friends messaged and congratulated me. Most of my family members are in Karnal and Punjab. They are still a bit orthodox. They still don’t think of transgender community so well. The outlook has changed in the metro cities but not in small towns. They would question me ‘Aisa kaisa role kar rahi hai?’ How do I make them understand? I can’t explain it to them. It will take me years to make them understand. Let them think whatever they want to think. My parents support me and that’s what matters. It's been 7 months since I started playing this role. I think they might have changed their thoughts. I don’t get to speak to them much.

Yes, I did. I was in Delhi with my family when I got this role. I came to Mumbai to start shooting and had only one day in hand. I watched all the documentaries on the transgender community, I saw their mannerisms. I would hear about them from my grandparents when I was a kid, and have always been inquisitive to know and learn more about them. When I finally got to interact with them on the sets, I was very careful of the fact that the way I act shouldn’t come off as degrading. I took note of how Ashutosh Rana played the role in Sangharsh. They have set a benchmark. I was a bit pressurised. I wanted to play the ‘taali’ (clap) properly and enact their mannerisms properly.

When I signed the show, Rubina was not there. My mother and my sister told me the entire story of Saumya (Rubina). She has just joined again recently. I didn’t give that much thought. When I started shooting, I had seen her clippings on social media and loved her hand and sari gestures.

Yes, of course. My character was very bad and negative on-screen. I would slap Heer (Jigyasa Singh) on-screen, and later on I would also kiss her. I would get messages from all over asking me to get out of the show. But I took this as a compliment. If they have so much hatred against Angel, that means I am doing my role correctly. Now people know me personally by seeing my social media pics.