Sonakshi Sinha is inspired by her Rowdy Rathore co-star Akshay Kumar’s dedication to fitness and mannerisms with people around him. She says, “Akshay is extremely disciplined with regard to his lifestyle, fitness and diet. It’s part of his DNA. Just observing him is inspiring.” The duo is currently signed up for three films together. Starting with Prabhudeva’s Rowdy Rathore, which releases on 1 June, the pair will also be seen in Shirish Kunder’s Joker, which releases this year end. They have even been cast together in Milan Luthria’s Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai 2, making it a hattrick for them. Sonakshi says, “We get along very well. He is so jovial with everyone on the sets, be it the light man or the spot boy. That kind of humility is rare. When your co-actor is a good person, it’s easier to translate the chemistry and camaraderie onscreen.”

Sonakshi remembers watching the Akshay starrer Hera Pheri (2000) as the first film that she saw with her friends without a baby sitter. She says, “That’s my favourite film. I also liked Housefull 3.”

Ask her why she chose to be in another male dominated film after Dabangg (2010) and she says, “Rowdy Rathore and Dabangg are very different stories. The only similarity is that they both are maseladar and dhamakedar films. I don’t choose a film looking at the length of my role. If a character connects with me and I feel the audience might like it, I do it.” The Dabangg girl adds she will have ample time to experiment in the future.