Sophiya's choice

FROM A rock band singer to being the face of Asian music television to Bollywood and then Broadway, Sophiya Haque has essayed diverse roles with elan.

With no planned career moves this versatile performer has taken on every challenge that life sprung on her with a never-say-die attitude.

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Change being the only constant in this spunky artist's life, Sophiya speaks to City Times about her journey from being a singer to her latest role in life - being the face of the newly launched Embassy, the UAE's first fine dining and members' only club in Abu Dhabi.

Born to a Bangladeshi father and a British mother, Sophiya grew up in England with just one dream - that of being a ballerina.

She started her training from the age of 2 and auditioned for the Royal Ballet School at the age of 11.

Turned away by them as she apparently did not fit the required body type, Sophiya ended up going to The Arts Educational School. A twist of fate that she is grateful for, “I blossomed at this school as they covered all forms of dance, music, singing and drama. I have had a very varied career and I attribute that to my training.”

Though dance was her passion, Sophiya's first tryst with fame came through singing, something that still manages to both amuse and puzzle her.

A tabla player and a sitar player who played for her dance classes were on the lookout for a singer for their band. Though surprised by their offer, she took it on as a challenge.

Laughingly she discloses, “That was how our group 'Akasa' was born. I sang on the records and after school I used to write songs. While I was still in school we got a record deal and my mother had to sign it for me. I really didn't like my voice very much; I didn't think I was a singer!”

Seeing her music videos aired on television, Star TV put forth a proposal to her. They asked her to present a show on their new venture MTV Asia.

For someone who went on to become the face of music television, it comes as a surprise when she reveals, “Being more of a musician, I actually turned up my nose at being a presenter, but I went along for the audition. I was only 18-years-old and I really enjoyed it. I had watched MTV Europe so I had an idea as to what to do but it was a departure from my dance classes and singing in a studio. I was actually very shy so to suddenly become a presenter was a big challenge. I decided to do it and I initially thought 6 months was a really long contract but 7 years later I was still presenting”.

From music to movies

When Channel V was formed, Sophiya was on board hosting several shows including Sophiya's Choice. The teething stage was a phenomenal, crazy and fun time according to her. Her career took another turn when she quit Channel V in 1999.

Bollywood beckoned with offers of item songs. The dancer in her was enthused by this new opportunity and she took it up with delight. Khoobsurat, Mani Rathnam's 'Alaipayuthey', Telugu film 'Santhosam' and more recently 'The Rising of Mangal Pandey' were some of the films she danced in.

She acknowledges her limited presence, “I did item songs and that's really been the extent of my Bollywood foray because I don't speak Hindi. People hired me since the moves that I do are slightly different - the pirouettes and ballet stuff. People liked that. I just had fun, it felt like being the lead actor for just 5 days!”

On being reminded of her role in a hardly noticed film 'Snip' she cited reasons for its failure. “That was my first lead role as an actor. There were issues in the films, flaws in terms of story telling and if it had been more focused on the audience it was aimed at in the first place, it would have done better.

The distributor wanted songs in it, so suddenly this obscure little black comedy turned into a pseudo Bollywood movie. Of course that was great for me as I could perform all the songs in it and director Sunhil Sippy was glad that he had cast me as I was in my elements then. The film was distributed as a big Bollywood movie which I think was a mistake because that movie was never going to appeal to the masses as it was mostly in English.”

'Bombay Dreams'

Her subsequent exit from India too was unplanned. When Farah Khan (then just a choreographer) called her up from London asking her to audition for Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Bombay Dreams' she had no intention of leaving Mumbai.

Though her audition went off well, she was informed that Ayesha Dharkar who had initially turned down the role was back once again.

It was then that Sophiya took a decision, “Since theatre was everything I had trained for, I said I would love to be the understudy for that role for 6 months. Though I had trained for theatre I had never actually done any theatre so it would be a great experience to come in and learn it from the inside out. If I had jumped straight into the role I wouldn't have been as accomplished as I ended up being.”

Two weeks after opening Ayesha injured herself and Sophiya found herself on stage. Despite her initial apprehensions Sophiya loved being on stage and went on with the show for 6 months.

With her passion for theatre ignited, Sophiya was keyed up on landing a role in Webber's next production 'Far Pavilions'. The show ran for 6 months and she loved every moment of it.

“It was fantastic, I wish it had continued. I got to create a whole role there and it was a deep singing role as well and suddenly I discovered my musical theatre voice. I was terrified actually because most of the actors on the show were seasoned singers and I kept thinking I'm never going to match up to them. The music director David White and his wife were wonderful and coached me.”

Broadway theatre has fulfilled her aspirations but she realistically accepts the fact that roles for her may be few.

“There are many great theatre productions in existence and I would like to try and work on new projects but somebody with my looks and colouring would only get certain roles. Whereas I would like to do something different, so when the right one comes along, I will probably audition for it.”

First love

Quiz her about the field that she enjoys the most and she responds with no hesitation whatsoever, “I love theatre, it's really getting your hands dirty. You are a soldier, you have to keep going everyday and the instant applause is what you have worked for. You are honing something to a fine art, I love it. I was never really comfortable in the TV world as we usually had no scripts; we never knew where we would be - which country or place, we could be in some club interviewing someone we had never heard of! That used to freak me out. It took me almost four years to actually feel that I deserved to do the job. I enjoyed doing the studio bit of it though, where the script was written and I could have a retake if I needed it, but being live terrified me.”

Indeed a shocking revelation from someone who appeared so blase and at home on the small screen.

She moves on to the next territory she ventured into - films. “I enjoy filming. I just finished filming a Hollywood film, directed by Timur Bekmembetov, starring Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman and James Mcavoy - an action thriller called 'Wanted' that will be in theatres in March 2008. It was a new experience altogether. I have recently done casting for a Dustin Hoffman-Emma Thompson movie but I don't know whether it's happening yet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I would love to share screen time with all big names from the A list, something to tell my future children I suppose.”

'An Ambassador for Embassy'

FOR SOMEONE who loves being in a comfort zone, Sophiya has come a far way as she reveals that she will be commuting between London and Abu Dhabi from 2008. Explaining this move she says, “I just felt a need for a change of pace so when Mark Fuller, the owner of Embassy London, asked me to come for the launch of the Abu Dhabi Embassy club I was stunned as I myself was going to ask if I could do anything with them. So it was just perfect.

I am a big fan of Embassy Club. I've hosted a few parties there. I thought I could use my acting and presenting career to their advantage. I am here to front the club and bring in entertainment from UK or Bollywood. It's exciting actually. I will be flying between UK and Abu Dhabi and probably when I'm over here I could flip down to Mumbai and rekindle a few relationships there and do some item numbers etc, you never know.”

Sophiya has sought this change of scene for personal reasons as well as she has just come out of an 11-year-old relationship. “We are still friends. The reason we broke up is that I wanted to have family and I had been trying to put the idea in his head for the last year and a half and he's kind of turned around and said 'You know what? I don't want children' and I was devastated. I couldn't believe it.

I know that maybe in 5 to 10 years time he will want children but I don't think I can wait. So I'm out there again and not necessarily looking. I don't think it is a good ingredient to be looking for a partner, I've never looked and I don't think I want to.” As of now Sophiya is enjoying her new found freedom in Abu Dhabi's tranquillity and also her role as 'An Ambassador for Embassy.'