‘I WILL NEVER COMPROMISE ON A SCRIPT’
Anushka Sharma talks about characters that made her want to become an actor, and more
Anushka Sharma has had a successful run at the box office with Sultan and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil last year. The actor, who has been able to make varied choices and garner acclaim for her performances in films she has been part of, will now be seen in Jab Harry Met Sejal opposite Shah Rukh Khan. She says she was keen on working with Imtiaz Ali for a while. “Both of us wanted to work with each other. So, when he narrated the script to me, I felt like I connected to it a lot more. I felt the language is fresh and happy and has a lot of depth, which is what I love about Imtiaz’s films. For me, the biggest draw was the script, and that I got to play a character, which is different from who I am as a person,” says Anushka.
She further adds, “In fact, Jab We Met (2007) has a huge role to play in a way that I ever wanted to become an actor. I felt really positive when I saw his film. The character of Geet was very well written, and for a female character we don’t see that often. This is what I want to do in my entire career, good portrayals of women.”
Ask her if it’s crucial for her to relate to a director’s work before signing a film, she says, “Not necessarily. I worked with Navdeep Singh whom I introduced in my first production or even Anshai Lal. I decided to do a film based on the interaction I had with them. I could gauge the clarity they had about what they’re doing. So, it’s not like I need to see somebody’s work to decide that. But yes, cinematic sensibilities have to match, and how they are planning to convey the script.”
Ask her if she would ever compromise on a script in order to work with certain people, she says, “I’ve never done that and I will never compromise on a script. I have never chased working with actors, because I feel my work will not be defined by that. Today, I am where I am, and I have the success that I have because of the films I’ve done and the roles I have portrayed. At the end of the day, those were the films where I stood my own ground.”
Today I am where I am, and I have the success that I have because of the films I’ve done and the roles I have portrayed. ANUSHKA SHARMA, ACTOR
Lately, at press conferences and events, actors are questioned to offer their opinions on various topics ranging from nationals issues, politics, etc. While few agree to give their opinions, some choose not to make a comment. Ask her if she feels if it all gets a bit too pushy sometimes, the NH 10 (2015) actor says, “I can choose to speak on what I want to speak on. I might have complete understanding of what a person is asking me, but I might choose not to give my comment. I can reserve my comment on that. It’s absolutely my right. Nobody can force me to say something or not say something. If I feel that me saying something is going to have a positive effect, then I will talk. But I just don’t want to go out there and say anything for the sake of it. Nobody can put a gun to my head and make me do it.”
While quality of roles for women actors seem to be getting better, is there still a long way to go in terms of bridging the pay disparities between male and female actors? “I feel I’ve already spoken enough on it. We cannot deny that there is disparity, but let us just do something about changing it rather than just talking about it,” reasons Anushka.
And, from her contemporaries whose choices (of films) she admires, the actor says that she “enjoys watching Kangana Ranaut on screen”. “I really appreciate her for her talent. I really like Alia (Bhatt) as well. Also, I saw Taapsee (Pannu) in Pink (2016); she was really good in the film. Deepika (Padukone) is also doing good work. So, there is a lot of inspiration all around because of the great work that so many people are doing. We’re very lucky that we are in an industry where people appreciate so many people’s work. It gives me a lot of happiness to be able to do that,” says Anushka.