Sonam Kapoor plans to return to Bollywood with two films after signing up with YRF Talent

• Sonam Kapoor signs two tentpole projects with Yash Raj Films (YRF) to chart her return to Bollywood.
• YRF makes an exception of signing on an actor the studio has not launched itself.
• YRF Talent will exclusively design and curate Sonam Kapoor’s brand strategy globally.

Studios across the world tend to distribute their financial risks across their slate of films. Aditya Chopra-run Yash Raj Films (YRF) is no different. Taking a break from tradition, YRF Talent has, for the first time, signed on Sonam Kapoor, an actor whom they did not launch. Kapoor’s return to films after becoming a mother will begin with two tentpole projects, details of which are currently under wraps. Kapoor became a mother in August 2022 and is now ready to chart her return to tinsel town.

Typically a tentpole is a studio definition of a film project that entails very low financial risk compared to other films from the studio’s slate. Tentpole projects are more inclusive and typically are culturally more relatable. These films are also designed to appeal to consumers across genders and age groups. Given that Kapoor’s appeal is not just as an actor but also as a fashion icon, YRF will look at projects that can easily link all these aspects of her personality.

As a studio, Yashraj Films is identified for the mega blockbusters that it churns out almost every year. Some of the biggest blockbusters from YRF include Pathaan, Sultan, Tiger Zinda Hai and the Dhoom franchise. Pathaan was among the highest- grossing films of 2023 with collections of over ₹1,000 crore.

Prithwish Ganguly, vice president - talent and communications strategy at YRF, confirms this development saying, “It is exciting to join forces with Sonam Kapoor as she charts her path to return to the movies. Sonam is a unique and a very exciting brand. We are delighted to on-board her as an artist that we will manage exclusively and curate her brand strategy globally.”

YRF is known to launch its own talent, which is why the signing of Kapoor is a departure from its strategy of building homegrown talent. Kapoor is the first actress YRF has signed, whom the studio did not launch. YRF has launched actors like Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma. With this deal, Bollywood star Kapoor will be exclusively managed by the boutique agency YRF Talent. Having historically managed incredible actors like Rani Mukerji, Anushka Sharma, Ranveer Singh, Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar among others, the YRF Talent will now focus on shaping ‘Brand Sonam Kapoor’ locally and globally.

YRF Talent will work closely with Kapoor to craft a distinct brand identity, which stands for all things cool — from the choice of her films, to her natural synergy with the biggest global fashion and luxury brands, to her life choices as an independent-minded working mother. Kapoor has always been supportive of women in the workplace, making her a champion of women and their rights.