Playing a ‘non-living’ character is fun – Anushka

OLLYWOOD actorproducer Anushka Sharma, who is playing a ghost bride in her second production Phillauri, says it was fun to play a “non-living” character.

“It was fun to play a nonliving character because normally we play characters which are in the flesh and it’s boring to portray a living character in each film.

“You should keep doing a different thing. I think I’ve represented the ghost community well,” she said in an interview this week.

The Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi actress ventured into production with 2015 thriller NH-10 and is now gearing up for her banner’s (Clean Slate Films) next project, Phillauri.

When asked about what she enjoys the most, the 28-year-old actress said: “I enjoy both. I have realised that when I have too many responsibilities on me, I perform better.

“Acting and producing both are very different things. Like when I am on set I just do my job and when I am producing a film I have to collaborate with ALL, right from the inception of a film.

“Both are going well for me,” she added.

Anushka, who seems to be quite happy with the “encouraging response” from the industry, said: “I feel very happy when the audience and industry people say good things about Phillauri.”

The story revolves around a young man who has come to Punjab to get married, but a local priest says he will have to get married to a tree first in order to combat the bad setting of his stars.

The tree happens to be the home of Shashi’s (Anushka Sharma’s character) spirit.

Incidentally, he gets married with the spirit. The spirit also has a flashback, which showcases a love story between Shashi and her fiancé.

Directed by Anshai Lal, the film also features Diljit Dosanjh and is due to be released on March 24. NATIONAL award-winning film-maker Pandiraj’s next Tamil production venture Sema will mark the directorial debut of his former assistant, Vallikanth.

“As soon as Vallikanth narrated the funny story of his friend’s wedding, Pandiraj immediately gave his consent to produce the film. He even agreed to pen the dialogues of the film,” according to a statement from the producers.

Starring GV Prakash Kumar and newbie Arthanaa in the lead, the film is set against the backdrop of Chennai and Theni. “The project is currently in the final stages of shoot,” the producers added.

Prakash has also doubled up as composer on the project.

The film also features actors Yogi Babu, Kovai Sarla and Sujatha playing in key roles. ACTRESS Vidya Balan says Begum Jaan has been a great experience.

“I am coming back from Kolkata after promoting the film. It was a great experience. I am feeling very excited about Begum Jaan and loving the reactions of people. I’m looking forward to the release,” Vidya said.

The first poster of the film has a tagline that reads: “My Body, my house, my country, my rules”. Vidya is seen sitting with dishevelled hair, holding a hookah pipe, and dressed in a maroon lehenga and an embroidered blouse.

Asked if Begum Jaan can be tagged as the boldest film of this year, Vidya said: “That I won’t be able to tell.”The film, which is the Hindi adaptation of Bengali movie Rajkahini, will see Vidya portraying the role of a brothel’s madam during the partition of India.

The film is directed by Srijit Mukherji and also features Naseeruddin Shah and Gauahar Khan and is due for release on April 14.