Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha says she has no trouble leaving her characters at the studio door — and her latest role as a sharp-edged lawyer in the streaming film 'System' was no exception. Speaking during promotions of the film in Mumbai, Sinha described herself as a spontaneous performer who thrives on being fully present in the moment, rather than immersing herself in a role beyond the set.

What Sonakshi Said About Her Process

Sinha was candid about her approach to the courtroom character she plays in 'System'. 'Honestly I let it go because I don't need to carry it back home with me. I won't go home and tell my husband, “You are overruled. It's sustained” (laughs). It's very easy for me to switch on and switch off,' she said.

Her preparation, she explained, was rooted in observation rather than deep method acting. 'The preparation I needed to do for this was to actually just watch a few proceedings that are available online, court proceedings, and I think I learnt a lot from that in terms of the tone that they use in the court, which is very real and very normal,' she added.

Why Realism Was Central to the Role

Sinha noted that real courtroom proceedings were a revelation compared to the heightened drama of mainstream Hindi cinema. 'It's not over the top, it's not dramatic, it's very, very realistic. So that made my job even easier because we have those lawyers and courtroom dramas, those very loud Hindi films in our minds,' she said. The grounded tone of actual proceedings, she felt, freed her from the temptation to over-perform.

About the Film 'System'

'System' is a courtroom drama now streaming on Prime Video. This marks Sonakshi Sinha's first on-screen outing as a lawyer — she plays Neha, a determined young advocate challenged by her father, portrayed by filmmaker-actor Ashutosh Rana Gowariker, to prove herself worthy of a partnership in his firm. Tamil star Jyotika co-stars as a stenographer, making this a notable cross-industry collaboration.

The film is produced by Pammi Baweja, Harman Baweja, and Smitha Baliga, and has drawn positive audience response since its release.

The Bigger Picture

Sinha's comments reflect a broader shift in how mainstream Bollywood actors are approaching OTT-first projects — favouring naturalistic, research-driven performances over theatrical exaggeration. 'System' arrives at a time when courtroom dramas are finding a strong audience on Indian streaming platforms, following the success of titles that blend procedural realism with personal stakes. For Sinha, who has steadily rebuilt her career through selective, character-driven choices, the role signals a continued pivot toward content-led cinema.