Though her debut 'Saawariya' with Ranbir Kapoor wasn't a commercial success, Sonam's performance as Sakina received appreciation. The film also featured Rani Mukerji and Salman Khan in supporting roles. 

Sonam won hearts with her act in the song 'Masakali.' She played the feisty Bittu Sharma in Delhi-6, opposite Abhishek Bachchan whose character was discovering his roots before getting embroiled in a religious dispute involving a mysterious monkey-like attacker. 

Another Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra film, 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' had Sonam as Biro Kaul, Milkha's love interest. The film that was the biopic of Olympian Milkha Singh, had the actress who is known to be a fashionista, in a simple avatar.

'Raanjhanaa' was Dhanush's Hindi debut. Sonam played Zoya a Muslim girl, who Dhanush's character Kundan Shankar falls in love with. Fans appreciated the lead pairs chemistry. 

'Neerja' in which Sonam played the title role was based on the attempted hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73 in Karachi, Pakistan by Libyan-backed Abu Nidal Organization on 5 September 1986.  The actress won several accolades and awards for her performance.