Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Mumbai, Anushka Sharma on her relationship with Virat Kohli, her three upcoming films after a long break and working with two Khans
Anushka Sharma is one of the most-sought after heroines in Bollywood. From Vishal Bhardwaj, Anurag Kashyap, Rajkumar Hirani to Karan Johar, she is on top-of-the-list of every director. Bubbly, vivacious and lively, the leggy beauty has made a neat balance of working with the senior brigade of actors – Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar and the the GenNext heroes – Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh and Imran Khan. Plus, she is one of the few heroines who has no qualms of working in a film that has two heroines. The latest is Ae Dil Hai Mushkil that has her sharing screen space with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. “She has a different and interesting role and it would be lovely to see her in that,” is what Anushka has to say about the senior actress. As for her cricketer beau Virat Kohli, the pretty heroine is clear that she does not want to talk about him, but she won’t shy away from going to his match or being clicked together. “We are leading a normal life and it’s out there for everyone to see,” is what she has to say. Over to the fiesty actress..
She has been giving interviews for half-a-day, but Anushka Sharma looks fresh and pretty, ready to take on the world. With three releases in the offing starting with PK, Bombay Velvet and NH10, the actress indeed has a lot to cheer about, especially after almost two years of not being seen on screen. Her last film was Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola. “That released in January 2013 and PK is hitting the theatres this December. That’s why it seems like a huge gap,” clarifies Anushka. But tell her that compared to actresses like Sonakshi Sinha and Alia Bhatt who have had three or more releases within a year, she is hardly seen on screen and Anushka agrees, “In six years, I have had only seven releases, but it’s not a conscious decision. It’s just that from the beginning I have been engaging myself with films in which I believe I can make a contribution. I don’t want to do films because I have to be seen more or work with so and so person. I have got some respect as an actor, people consider me a good actor and want to improve on that.”
And her upcoming release PK is a case in point. In fact, the bubbly actress is as excited about the film as the audience who are eagerly awaiting it. With Aamir Khan as the hero, the expectations are sky high. “Yes, even I am looking forward to the release of the film because I think it was a very special experience working with Rajukumar Hirani. His films, whether it was the Munnabhai series or 3 Idiots, touch your soul on another level. To work with him and create something for people to see it gave me a different thrill.”
And, for the first time, the actress has gone all out experimenting with her look. She is sporting a pixie cut that seems to have caught the fancy of college girls. “We tried various looks, experimenting with lots of clothes, spectacles and nose rings, but it’s the hairdo that changes a person completely. So, we tried different wigs and this turned out to be the best. I am getting a lot of compliments for the look,” smiles Anushka.
Now that she has worked with Shah Rukh Khan (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and Jab Tak Hai Jaan), and Aamir what does she think are the differences between the two? “The difference is that Aamir is very methodical and it is apparent. Shah Rukh is also methodical but it’s not apparent. He is most spontaneous that way.” Every heroine wants to have the distinction of having worked with the three Khans. And Anushka is yet to work with Salman. “I have never dreamt or thought of working with people who I am working with. It just happened. I am particular about working with good directors and scripts. I am chasing good roles and God has been very kind,” she says.
Anushka is also one of the few actresses who has done two-heroine projects. Jab Tak Hai Jaan with Katrina Kaif, Dil Dhadakne Do with Priyanka Chopra and now Ae Dil Hai Mushkil with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Isn’t she plagued with doubts about her role being smaller or the other heroine stealing the limelight? “People make too much of it. I don’t think about whose role is bigger or small. I have a great working relationship with everyone. In fact, I would say Katrina is my most favourite co-star! It’s sad that it’s made to look like actresses have catfights.”
In fact, Anushka goes on add that Aishwarya has a very interesing and different role in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. “It would be lovely to see her like that,” insists the leggy beauty.
While the actress is open about her career decisions, she is surprisingly reticent when it comes to her beau Virat Kohli. Though the duo don’t shy away from being seen together in public places, they avoid being clicked together and prefer to look away from the cameras. “That’s because we are approaching our car or something like that, and not doing a photoshoot. We have no problems, we are leading a normal life. We may not talk about each other or our relationship but we are not trying to hide either. If we did not want to be clicked together, I wouldn’t have gone to watch his match,” she says simply.
So, what is her reaction to the backlash that occurred when Virat failed to score runs in a match and the cricekt board said that wives and girlfriends should not be allowed to accompany the cricketers? “Honestly, I would like to reserve my opinion. It’s an internal matter and I have nothing to do with. It would be reckless for me to say anything,” says Anushka.
