Sonam Bajwa: Why I Refused Bollywood’s Kissing Scenes

Renowned Punjabi actress Sonam Bajwa recently spoke candidly about her reluctance to take on roles in Hindi cinema that involved on-screen kissing, admitting that her hesitation stemmed primarily from a deep-seated concern about the reaction of the Punjabi audience and her own family.

In a past interview with Film Companion, the popular star revealed that she had turned down several Bollywood projects due to the requirement for intimate scenes, specifically kissing. Her apprehension was rooted in the cultural mindset prevalent in her fan base, where entertainment is often viewed in a family context. “I said no to a couple of things in Bollywood because I was like, ‘Is Punjab going to be OK with it?'” she shared, explaining the mentality that films should be watched by families.

The actress elaborated on the internal conflict she faced, worrying about the response from the very people who have supported her career. “I was very scared to do a kissing scene in a film back then, because I thought, ‘How are people going to respond to it? How will these people, who’ve made me who I am, respond to it? Is my family going to understand that this is for a film?’ I had all these questions in my mind.”

However, Sonam’s perspective underwent a significant shift after an honest discussion with her parents a couple of years ago. To her surprise, their reaction was entirely supportive. “They were like, ‘Yes, if it’s for a film, it’s fine’,” she recounted, expressing her shock at her own delay in having this conversation. She realized that her fears were based on assumptions rather than reality. “Why did I not speak to them first? So many things we assume in our heads. I was so shy to discuss this with my parents, and they were like, ‘Koi nahi, je film liya, koi chakkar ni’ (It’s for a film, there’s no problem).”

Sonam now admits that she regrets having let go of those early Bollywood opportunities due to her self-imposed restrictions, acknowledging that her fears about the audience and family reaction were not entirely justified. Despite her past reservations, she remains one of the most celebrated and successful actresses in the Punjabi film industry, with a growing presence in Hindi cinema with roles in films like Bala and Street Dancer 3D.