In the ongoing cold war between Akshay Kumar and Shirish Kunder, the single-most squirmy sufferer is Sonakshi Sinha who doesn’t know which way to move: do the right thing by her film and go all out to promote Joker, or stand by the stubbornly unrelenting Akshay Kumar who has decided to boycott all promotional activities related to the film.
A source close to the project says, “Sonakshi is very close to Farah and Shirish. They have in fact groomed and counseled her a lot since she came into films. But Akshay is very clear on his loyalties. Once he cuts loose from someone he expects those around him to be with him wholeheartedly. He never tells his friends what to do. They’re supposed to know.”
Hence began Sonakshi’s dilemma.
Says a source, “The poor girl is a thorough professional. But she knows which side her bread is buttered. Akshay is her co-star in a blockbuster Rowdy Rathore and very close to the family. Akshay regularly visited Sonakshi’s father Shatrughan Sinha when he was in hospital advising him on health, diet and exercise. Shatruji is also expected to be working in Akshay’s home production soon. Sonakshi regards him very highly. Otherwise a thorough professional Salman and Akshay are two leading men for whom Sonakshi would happily take sides.”
And that’s what the poor girl has been compelled to do. Sonakshi’s cold-shouldering of promotional activities for Joker has really hurt Farah and Shirish.
Says a source close to the couple, “Even if Akshay distanced himself from the project Sonakshi is a big star today. She could’ve been the promotional face of the film. They’ve looked after her like their own child. Farah and Shirish have been extremely protective of Sonakshi from the time she came in to the industry. Now when Joker needed her for promotion she got bogged down by the Akshay factor.”
In her defense a source close to Sonakshi says, “The poor girl has been trying to divide her time between her Dad who is been through a bout of bad health, and promotional activities for Joker. She has not been able to do as much as she should have. But she has done her bit.”
But ‘bit’ in this case was not enough, considering the leading lady of Joker had to stand in for the hero as well. Would her reluctance to go all-out for Shirish Kunder’s Joker cost Sonakshi her role in Kick, the Salman Khan starrer that Shirish is expected to start next year for producer Sajid Nadiadwala?
Or would the ‘Salman’ factor in Sonakshi’s career ensure she stays put in Kick?
Considering how hurt Farah and Shrish are the equation can tilt either way.
But at the moment Akshay has the upper-hand. Sonakshi shot a special song for his home production Oh My God. Chances are, she’d be signing another lead opposite Akshay in the next couple of months.
