‘THE RISKS I TOOK HAVE PAID OFF’
Anushka Sharma is happy that in 2016, the focus has been on her work and not her personal life
Anushka Sharma (left) bagged a dream debut with Shah Rukh Khan in Aditya Chopra’s Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008) exactly eight years ago (December 12). Although the actor says the eight years have “gone by just like that”, she has had a dream run. This year has been especially great for her, with Sultan and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (ADHM) topping boxoffice charts. HT Café talks to Anushka about life, career and her personal life.
You’ve now completed eight years in Bollywood. Do you think it was a good journey?
Yes, especially in terms of carving my own path. Since I come from outside the industry, I could have fallen into the trap of thinking ‘this particular path is the right one’ or ‘this is how it should be’. But I have always done what felt right, and I have managed to be successful. I am happy that the risks that I have taken in my career have paid off. I wouldn’t say it has been a satisfying journey, because the minute a creative person is satisfied, they’re headed for a good fall. But it’s been a great journey. Still, there is so much more to do.
This year has been very special for you…
If the success of Sultan and ADHM were not backed by the praise I have received, I don’t think it would have mattered to me as much as it does today. For me, that’s very important. I’ve done very few films, and that’s been a conscious choice, because the idea has always been to do things differently and to be able to challenge myself. Balancing the roles of a Haryanvi girl, Aarfa, from a small town in Sultan, and Alizeh — a refined, spunky, big-city girl from London — in ADHM in the same year was exciting for me. The fact that I could pull it off, and the praise that I have received is humbling. It makes me want to do more.
You have worked with all the three Khans already. Does that make you feel special?
At the beginning of my career, I used to say that I would always do films in which I have a solid role and have something to contribute, because it means nothing to me otherwise. With films starring such superstars, you get tremendous reach. I would call it my USP that I have always been able to deliver those performances. So, that’s obviously a great feeling. I am happy, because I may not have been offered these films. But I have been fortunate, and you want to feel like an actor that a director can rely on.
So, would you have turned down films with the Khans if your roles weren’t strong ones?
Yes, because my USP as an actor is the fact that I can act, right? So, I can’t do something that goes against my grain. If I am not contributing to a film in any way, I will not be happy. I don’t want to be a burden or feel unhappy and irritable on the set. I am happy things have never reached that stage.
Tisca Chopra is raring to go. Her recently released short film received positive response, and she is now working on producing and co-writing a feature film. A self-professed fan of movies that give you fodder for thought, Tisca feels women need to tell stories that they want to be a part of. The actor, who has worked with several prominent personalities in the industry, including Aamir Khan in Taare Zameen Par (2007), says she wants to learn more about film-making now.
In one of your interviews, you said you are “unslottable”. What did you mean?
I feel people are too eager to slot actors, as it makes them comfortable. We have a formula and structure for making films, although that practiced is not used as often these days. Actresses, particularly, are positioned in four slots -- the babe, bhabhi (sister-in-law), beeji (mom) and the vamp. These roles don’t cover what being a woman in India means. People feel that if we talk about real women in films, it will turn into an art film. If it is written well, it won’t. Like, Priyanka (Chopra) and Anushka (Sharma) started producing films to narrate stories that they wanted to tell. I think it’s important that women are taking the bull by its horns.
How do you look back at your journey?
I have had long periods of no work. There were times when I was offered roles that weren’t the least bit exciting. Perhaps, that happens with most actors. We wait for the next good project to come along. I feel I am at the beginning of my career. There are so many characters that I want to play. In fact, there is so much to do that I feel like I haven’t even scratched the surface.
How was the response to your short film?
Overwhelming. I knew it would appeal to a nuanced audience and would be liked critically, but I didn’t expect such a response. People from big and small cities both have loved it. We had a magnificent team working with us. Everyone brought their understanding to the film and collaborated on it.
What are you planning next?
I am writing a script for a feature film with a director-friend, who I can’t name right now. I have worked with him in the past and want him to direct the film I will produce. I have never written fiction or for the small screen, but the process of writing my short film was so much fun. I might even direct in the future. I have a script in mind for that. Although I have learnt a lot from the talented actors and film-makers I have worked with over the years, including Aamir [Khan], Ram Gopal Varma, Madhur Bhandarkar, and Anup Singh Batla (who directed Qissa (2014) etc.), but I want to learn a bit more about film-making.
Actresses, particularly, are positioned in four slots — the babe, bhabhi (sister-in-law), beeji (mom) and the vamp... TISCA CHOPRA , ACTOR