“I Wasn’t Asked — I Was Told”: Sonakshi Sinha Reveals How Salman Khan Chose Her for Dabangg Without Her Consent

The actress recalls being a fashion student with no plans for films until Salman Khan told her to drop her fashion career and take up acting — a decision that changed her life overnight.

Sonakshi Sinha has revealed that her journey into Bollywood wasn’t exactly a planned one. The Heeramandi star, who made her debut opposite Salman Khan in the 2010 blockbuster Dabangg, said that she was cast in the film without even being asked if she wanted to act. Speaking about her entry into the industry, Sonakshi admitted that she was studying fashion design at the time and had no intention of becoming an actor. “Nobody really asked me if I wanted to do Dabangg. I was simply told that I’m doing it,” she said in a recent interview.

Sonakshi shared that it was Salman Khan who convinced her to leave her fashion design course and focus on preparing for the role. She was reportedly “spotted” by Salman and producer Arbaaz Khan, who felt she had the right screen presence. “Salman told me I should drop fashion designing and start working on myself because I’m going to be in his film,” she recalled.

Before her debut, Sonakshi went through a massive transformation, losing over 30 kilos to fit the role of Rajjo. When Dabangg hit theatres, it became one of the biggest hits of 2010, turning her into an overnight sensation. Reflecting on her unexpected entry, Sonakshi said, “Everything happened so fast — from being a design student to acting opposite Salman Khan. It still feels surreal.”

In the years since, Sonakshi has gone on to build a diverse career with films like Lootera, Rowdy Rathore, Akira, and more recently, Heeramandi. Looking back, she expresses gratitude for the opportunity, even if it wasn’t her original plan: “Sometimes, life chooses for you — and I’m glad it did.”

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