After making her debut in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008), model-turned-actor Anushka Sharma has continued to make inroads into Bollywood. Post the release of Jab Tak Hai Jaan, she will be seen in films directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, Rajkumar Hirani and Anurag Kashyap. Now, she opens up about films, pressure, her equation with Shah Rukh Khan, success and her personal life.
You have just acted in a Yash Chopra film. Do you feel special?
I have always liked Yash Chopra’s films, especially Dil To Pagal Hai (1997) and Veer-Zaara (2004). What I liked the most about them is that there has always been a lot of soul in his movies.
You made your debut with a big star — Shah Rukh. But are you more comfortable with him now?
I obviously was a little confused when I did Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. So many things were happening so fast. It was confusing for me and I wasn’t really in my element. But Shah Rukh is a selfless actor and a complete team player. These are qualities that are essential in a great actor and probably that’s what makes him so special. He doesn’t think only about himself, but the entire film and his co-star’s performance too.Are the two of you (SRK and Anushka) good friends now?
Between Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008) and now, what has happened is that I have got to know him better thanks to parties, events and shows. I enjoy his company. He is witty and has a great sense of humour.
You are being called the next big thing. Do you feel any pressure?
The pressure comes only when you work for the wrong reasons. I am a creative person. It’s not my job to think about figures and numbers. Nothing gives me more pleasure than acting. But I don’t enjoy going for award functions or giving interviews. When you enjoy something so much, there’s no room for pressure.
You have been making news about your personal life starting with Ranveer Singh, Shahid Kapoor and now Arjun Kapoor. Does that bother you?
No, because it’s a part and parcel of being in the industry. People will say whatever they want to. Also, I feel a lot of it might have to do with the sudden influx of over-enthusiastic PRs. I can’t play such a game. I can’t step on someone’s toes to get higher in life.
You are being called the next big thing. Do you feel any pressure?
The pressure comes only when you work for the wrong reasons. I am a creative person. It’s not my job to think about figures and numbers. Nothing gives me more pleasure than acting. But I don’t enjoy going for award functions or giving interviews. When you enjoy something so much, there’s no room for pressure.You have been making news about your personal life starting with Ranveer Singh, Shahid Kapoor and now Arjun Kapoor. Does that bother you?
No, because it’s a part and parcel of being in the industry. People will say whatever they want to. Also, I feel a lot of it might have to do with the sudden influx of over-enthusiastic PRs. I can’t play such a game. I can’t step on someone’s toes to get higher in life.
Are you okay with the talk of your personal life going public?
When someone goes to watch my film in the theatre, they won’t remember the last four articles they read about me. Instead, they will think about the last film I did. If my publicist isn’t putting out stories about me, I would like people to respect that. It doesn’t change anything in my life.
Many actors might be jealous of you because of the directors you are working with: Yash Chopra, Vishal Bhardwaj (in Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola) and Rajkumar Hirani (in P.K).
That’s because people see only names and brands, but I am looking at them as four directors whose movies I have always loved watching. In the past, I have given a lot to all my on-screen avatars and in turn, they have added to ‘me,’ Anushka Sharma. I am looking forward to all my roles.
And finally, are you doing Anurag Kashyap’s next?
Yes, I am working with him in Bombay Velvet.
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