2010’s Bollywood hit My Name Is Khan had many strong moments - some empowered the audience, others left one bruised. Most of them belonged to Shah Rukh Khan who convincingly played the role of Rizwan, suffering from Asperger’s syndrome and dealing with the struggles of being a Muslim in America post 9/11. However, one particular scene, which was heartfelt, endearing and falling way too close to home for many hijab-clad women stigmatized for their choice of accessory, had no ‘star’ face to its credit. It was young model and actress Sonya Jehan who stole the show.

French chic, courtesy her mother Florence Rizvi, and sheer performance artistry inherited from legendary singer Madam Noor Jehan (her grandmother), Sonya is a box full of talent - but one that remains subdued often because of her Western heritage limiting the type of roles offered, also because of her choice to only act in Bollywood, till now, but mostly just because she is busy parenting her children. Ever since her last stint in Shah Rukh’s most controversial film to date, the actress has spent less time reading scripts and more time in the nursery juggling parenthood. But that is perhaps what makes Sonya one of those rare women who have mastered the art of self-acceptance - for her family always comes first; career might as well take a back seat.

"Acting will never be my main priority. Now that I am a mother, I don’t think anything else can be my main priority except for my children so they’ll always come first," Sonya asserted while speaking to Instep in person. She may not be the most committed and determined professional but she is unapologetically herself; someone who believes in experiencing the joy of the journey than reveling in the reward past the finishing line. Perhaps that is why she has no qualms in acting in a film (Asim Raza’s Ho Mann Jahan) that already has three young leads in the spotlight.

"When I choose a role, I never think of how much fame or mileage I will get out of it. I choose them only if I enjoy the character. I am not the sort of person who would run after a lead role. It’s fine as long as it’s an interesting one," she clarified. On the potential risk of being overshadowed by the three popular protagonists, she said, "My character is a very strong person in the film who has a significant influence on the male lead and she is in fact somebody who drives the movie forward. So there is no way it will be overshadowed by the main characters."

Given her firm stance to only act in Bollywood, one wonders what made her agree on a change of heart. However, little does anybody know that director Asim Raza has been a fixture in Sonya’s life since the age of 15.

"I worked with Asim when I was only 15 and we share this comfort zone with each other. He has been a part of my family growing up," revealed Sonya. "However, when he approached me for the film in India, I was initially very apprehensive because I hadn’t worked in a long time and I wasn’t sure how I would be able to get back into the work space. But because it was Asim, I just couldn’t say no. And it’s a great project with a great script. Its youthful, hip and upbeat and everybody has pulled their weight together to work as a family."

Could it also be that she has gotten a better, more meaningful opportunity here? She has after all lost jobs in Bollywood for being too Western or at times contained only in that stereotype. "Absolutely," she said agreeing. "Living in India, a lot of the times the roles offered to me were of the ‘foreign girl’ who comes to the desi world, who does her item numbers, and that has never been of interest to me. That’s not who I am and I don’t need to prove anything to anyone. Unfortunately, I’ve actually met directors who’ve come up to me and said that ‘oh you would’ve been perfect for this role but we want somebody who looks a little more ethnic so it’s just not working out’."

Such sentiments are no music to an actor’s ears and she doesn’t soften the absurdity of it with a self-deprecating smile either but the truth, no matter how harsh and bizarre, will always remain the truth. If she has failed to connect with Indian audience who have matured and become far more accepting of diversity over the years, then how does she expect the relatively unaccustomed Pakistani audience to relate to her.

"My character, too, is someone who’s got a very Western look on life. She is independent, lives alone and is very Europeanized in her sense of style. And at this point in time, I see a huge change in Pakistan; a change in how women dress and a change in their roles - from being domestic to becoming passionate working women. There is definitely a change in the air which will make the role all the more relatable," she assured.

Now that she is back in the boisterous world of filmmaking, does she have more acting projects up her sleeve? Not really but she insists she has projects of her own - she is moving base to Dubai in order to get closer to home, for Delhi may have been welcoming demographically, she still feels isolated because her family is all the way here in Karachi. Speaking of family, her brother and Karachi’s most eligible bachelor (indeed the most clichéd but relevant title we can give him) Sikander Rizvi has also forayed into films and is all set to make his debut in Asad ul Haq’s rom-com Dekh Magar Pyar Se alongside HumaimaMallick.

"I am very proud and shocked at the same time," she added with a peal of laughter. "I am proud because he looks smashing and it’s good to see that he has just taken the leap of faith and gone with it because I am not as confident; I always need a little bit of pushing. And I am shocked because Sikander has never been somebody who enjoys the camera whereas I just love it. He has always been very shy and avoided the media. Right now, he is of course anxious but whatever little snippets I’ve seen of the movie, it looks good."

Summing it all up, despite apparent conflicts, Sonya has remained a part of both countries at the same time and with ease. We all know of the similarities that exist. Peace activists never shy away from blowing the trumpet about the cultural osmosis taking place between India and Pakistan. But keeping politics aside, and in true competitive form, we ask Sonya which industry has fared better for her?

"Pakistan still has a long way to go. There is still a lot of room for improvement but there is a lot of creativity and hard work and I really appreciate and respect that. Bollywood has now become more about just the money and that sometimes takes away from the content of
the film. Having said that, there are some great movies being made," she responded rather diplomatically. "Also it’s lovely tosee how our actors are now also exploring the scope of working in Bollywood. It makes me really proud that India is finally getting to see the other side of Pakistan and that there is so much talent here. India has a very stereotypical image of us but
now they can see that we are no different."