Don't make jokes about Sheena Bora: Sonakshi Sinha

Actor Sonakshi Sinha opens up about the internet and her recent comments about the Sheena Bora case and the Jasleen Kaur case.

Many celebrities are guarded about what they say, but not actor Sonakshi Sinha. The 28-year-old, who recently urged people on Twitter to stop making jokes on murder victim Sheena Bora and posted an apology to Delhi boy Sarvjeet Singh, accused of allegedly molesting Delhi University student Jasleen Kaur, talks about how people hide behind the anonymity on social networking sites and how she does not fear being trolled online.

Sonakshi Sinha opens up about her recent Twitter comments.

While celebrities are often guarded when it comes to talking about issues, you have spoken up for Sheena Bora as well as Sarvjeet Singh. What was the thought process behind this?

I don’t say anything about things that are not my business, unless I feel it’s the right thing to do and unless I feel strongly about it. I was shocked at how people were making jokes about a young girl (Sheena Bora) who lost her life. I found it really insensitive, and that’s why I spoke about it. People think they can say anything they want on social media. A sane person would not dare say stuff like that in real life. With Sarabjit, I, like many others, was swayed by what was being written and said about him, and gave Jasleen the benefit of doubt just because she’s a girl. I realised later that I shouldn’t have jumped the gun, and immediately apologised. I didn’t do anything great, it was just the right thing to do.

While we have always seen you speak your mind online, a lot of celebrities have also spoken up about being trolled on Twitter. What are your thoughts on that?

Rationality, etiquette and manners go out the window when it comes to saying things online. If a person says the kind of things people say online in real life, they will be branded rude, obnoxious, psychotic and probably be outcasts. People have found a really nice veil of anonymity online, that gives them the liberty of being complete and utter douchebags.

We have heard you sing on quite a few platforms now. Would you consider playback singing for any of your films?

I like to sing — it’s a hobby, just like how I love to dance. I would definitely like to explore it in the near future. Let’s see where it goes.

In terms of work, would you say that you are a workoholic or are you someone who can maintain a nice balance between work and personal life?

I am someone who likes to believe that I am very balanced, but I am a hopeless workoholic.

You were recently in the US for a while. How important is it to take these breaks to rejuvenate?

I was actually there for work! I was travelling in the States for a show. I get such little time off that I like to club my holidays with work, otherwise I wouldn’t get to see the world at all! So, before my tour, I took a short break of four days in New York, and took some time off in San Francisco.