Michael Jude Gracias
As a kid, Sonam Morajkar turned out to be the shy little girl with a cute smile. As a student the shyness continued and she stayed away from limelight. Her looks and overall personality made her an ideal choice for a front office receptionist; a job she handled perfectly. But life changed when she met Darshan Lolienkar, a renowned filmmaker. Sonam, who was a receptionist then is now nominated for the Best supporting actress Award at the Global Konkani Film Awards to be presented in Mangalore.
Darshan was looking out for a young female for his video ‘Mhajea Kullarache vatter’ based on the poetry of late Ramesh B Veluskar. Darshan recalls, “When I told this young girl about my intentions to feature her in the lead, she just blushed with shyness. ‘I cant, I have never acted’ was her reply. I just told her that if she was interested I would take care of everything”
Upon getting her parents nod, she began her tryst with acting. The video was well received and the producers and film makers were happy. Darshan Lolienkar was then working on a Marathi script ‘Ek Aas Antarichi’. When completed he found the lead character matching the charishma of young Sonam Morajkar. He once again approached her with the offer to act in this film. Sonam believed in the abilities of Darshan Lolienkar but then language was the barrier as she was not comfortable with Marathi. Here again Darshan whispered words of confidence, You can!. Sonam accepted the offer and marched ahead with confidence. She worked on her language skills and the required diction. When the film was simultaneously released in Maharashtra and Goa, there was one great transformation in this young girl: The camera shy girl turned out to be a glamourous diva of Goan cinema!
Her casting in MMS a Konkani film has an interesting story attached to it. When MMS was being planned for shoot, Konkani film star Kevin D’Mello recommended Sonam to Joywin. Joywin on seeing her photographs in traditional Indian outfits kept on telling Kevin that Sonam could not look the bold character required in the film. For Sonam, this turned out to be a challenge. She immediately got a few photographs clicked wearing the western outfits. Karen and Joywin on looking at the pictures conceded that the girl perfectly fit the bill and Sonam eventually bagged the role. Her performance in the film secured for herself another plum role from Joywin alongwith Konkani super star Prince Jacob Fernandes and others.
Sonam’s role in ‘Soulcurry’ is much talked about. Being part of a picture frame that has Bollywood stars like Seema Biswas and Jackie Shroff will surely be a picture frame worth cherishing deep within. Sonam put in her best foot forward and prepared herself well mentally for the great task of portraying the role of a musicians daughter which she played to perfection. Good efforts put in always pay dividends and Sonam walked home with the Best Supporting Actress trophy at the film festival. Her happiness has doubled as she has been nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Award for this role at the Global Konkani Film Awards. Being nominated itself is a recognition to cherish with pride!
