I am the anti- heroine in the film

With a debut in YRF’s ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’ in 2008, opposite Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka turned actress from model. The film was a box office hit and Anushka become the next big thing to watch out for. She speaks to Lipika Varma about her next release, ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’

Anushka Sharma’s innings in Bollywood began with Yash Chopra, and she very well knows about it. Acknowledging working with the legend, Anushka says, “I am delighted that I got a chance to work with him. It’s my biggest accomplishment in the industry. It was a dream come true for me. Yash Chopra is a brand by himself and he has been in the industry for almost 50 years which is double my age. He is known to have made films much ahead of his time. Having worked with the legend and spend time with him before he bade adieu to the world makes me feel happy. But, having known him so closely, I miss him a lot. He is one director who respected one and all on the sets. His passion, intelligence and child-like quality enabled him to make wonderful films on the celluloid.”

Watching Yashji’s films would make even Anushka’s strict father emotional. “My father was a very strict army officer. His eyes rarely turned moist. One particular day, while we were in Jammu and Kashmir; I returned from college a little early. I was surprised to notice tears in my father’s eyes. He tried to hide them from me and I left the room. Later, he told me that he had been watching Yash Chopra’s ‘Veer Zaara’. He said that he liked the love and altruism that had been presented in the film. Now, I got to work with Yashji himself. So you can figure what kind of an achievement it is for me,” she says.

On real and reel differences between army officers, Anushka clarifies, “There is a bundle of difference between what a real army officer is and what one is shown on screen. Shah Rukh’s romantic role is unlike the post of my father in the army. But SRK looked so real that dad was left with no choice but to praise SRK’s looks in the film.”

Anushka says she is unlike other YRF heroines, “I am not the emblematic Yash Chopra heroine. In fact, I am an anti-Yash Chopra heroine. I play Akira Rai who is 21 years old and doesn’t believe in love. She ranks her work above everything. An intern with Discovery Channel, she wants to desperately gain a position out in the world. She is mesmerised by everything around her. The character I play is ambitious and feels men and women are equals. She would, unhesitatingly, be interested in anything. Even covering a war.”

Anushka speaks on the difference in her SRK experience. “Being a debutante in ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’ I was in awe of him. He is a senior actor and has been around for 20 years. I respect him and he’s a good friend too. He is a happy go lucky man who makes one feel at home at all times. With Ranveer and Shahid, I am on friendlier terms. But, Shah Rukh is very courteous. He has a great sense of humour. He is not fake at all, hence he is misunderstood often,” says Anushka.

On riding a bike for the Diwali release she says, “Actually I feel disgusted riding bikes. I rode a scooty in school and college but I am petrified of bikes. I don’t like to ride pillion either. But in the film, Akira Rai rides a bike, wears leather jackets and hits the roads of Ladakh.” Anushka goes on to add, “However, I love travelling and meeting strangers and talking to them. I am an actress so I get to travel due to my work and also get to meet a lot of new people. I am enjoying it.”

Anushka may not have any best friends in the industry but, says, she has no enemies either. “I know my place in the industry and I am not conniving. I respect Katrina Kaif and she is senior to me. There’s definitely something special about her. Despite not being from India or knowing Hindi, she has made it to the top in Bollywood, which is not easy. Today, she has made a name and place for herself and is respected by one and all. We both fit in our individual roles,” she says.

Being a heroine now Anushka says, “After turning an actress, I have realised that it is a tricky job. Nothing is easy here. I have matured enough now and can take decisions for myself. My parents feel proud about this fact,” as she concludes the wonderful chat.