I DON'T HIDE MY PERSONAL LIFE. JUST DON'T TALK ABOUT IT'
In an exclusive chat with HT Caf, Anushka Sharma finally opens up. She clears the air about her unfriendly' persona, the recent lip job and her relationship' with one of India's leading batsmen
Come on! Are you saying that every controversy around you has been out of thin air?
No, a lot of times things are reported because they have happened. But there have also been instances when things are reported out of nowhere. Then even I start thinking if anything really happened while I was sleeping.
Engagement may not have happened, but going back to what has, isn't it time you acknowledged your relationship with Virat Kohli?
But when did I ever hide anything? I lead my life openly. I have never denied or hidden anything. It's just that I don't like to talk about my private life. I can't shout from rooftops. It's out there for people to see. They can see, think, say and insinuate anything. But, I'll not comment on it. I also feel that if I voice and vocalise my relationship, the sanctity of it goes away. I am not going to have conversations on my personal life. My relationships, be it with my parents, brother, friends or partner, are very pure. I don't want that to go away.
But perhaps people will stop talking if you open up.
No, I don't think that will happen, because if I come out and speak once, I will be expected to keep talking. I feel the minute we start talking about our private lives, all focus just shifts there. Then I'll also have to answer questions like Valentine's Day pe kya karne wale hain? Apne birthday pe kya gift diya? I can't do that. Like I said, it's all in the open. Whether I go for a dinner or to watch a match, everybody can see it. But if people still need a verbal confirmation, I am not giving it. But really, how louder can I get?
There seems to be an impression that you don't have too many friends in the industry.
That's a perception and I can't do much about it. I guess it's because I don't make a show of my friendships. I am great friends with Ranbir Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Anurag Kashyap and even Karan Johar. I don't talk about it. No one will even get to know if we go out for dinner or just chill together sometimes. I am also great friends with the assistant directors on my sets as well as my other crew members, but no one writes about them. I too click selfies, but because I don't put them on my Facebook page, it doesn't mean I don't have friends. I realise that I am not very forthcoming, but that's the way I am. And I don't like to answer questions like, Who's your 3 am friend?'
But misconceptions spoil the image
That's exactly where I come from. I can't create a selfimage. I realise it's become very important today and I have been told so as well, but it doesn't bother me. I can't do drama. I never have. I can't do things and say things because they look or sound cool. People who know me will vouch for me as a person; those who don't know me will just have perceptions. And I won't clear them. I am not a rebel. I just don't prescribe to the rule. Ultimately, what will keep me here is my work and thankfully, I am getting to do what I want, staying the way I am.
You seem to have only men on your friend list. What about the women?
I have always been one of the boys and I get along better with them. They have a lot more in their conversations. I am not judging anyone, just stating what I'm comfortable with. Now if I say this in a press conference, guess what the next headline will be? Anushka can't be friends with her female co-stars'. Meaning -- Anushka is insecure' or Anushka is jealous' or Anushka is a snob'. So all the time, what I am doing is watching my words. I keep thinking, Should I say this? Should I not say that?' So then, it's better that I don't
say anything. I don't want to state and then clarify anything later.
But you did clarify on Twitter about the cosmetic changes to your lips.
Yes, I was completely stumped by the reactions. I couldn't have imagined people being so vicious. The comments were personal and what they were insinuating could have grave consequences. Forget all the comments on looking good or bad, people said things like I got surgery done. That's serious, so I had to speak up.
So what was it?
Surgery is a permanent procedure. What I did was use a temporary filler for an enhanced look. I did it for Bombay Velvet. Not that I was asked to, it was my decision. On that particular day, maybe it didn't look great on camera or perhaps, people saw it for the first time, and found it odd. I don't know what happened. I just know that it didn't go right, but I don't regret it. It was a chance that I took and learnt from it. I came on Twitter to say exactly that. It was more to say, You have a view, so do I'. And ultimately, it's my business, so let's be fair.
Talking shop, you are just six years-old in the industry. What made you get into production?
I have been working since I was 15. I did my first film at 19. I have really grown up and learnt from my work. And there comes a time in everyone's life when they feel that there is a certain direction they want to take. I feel I have reached that stage. Now, I want to do certain kind of films. I have a thought process and I feel strongly about it. My first production, NH10, happened just like that. I was discussing the script with my manager and the more we talked about it, the stronger I felt about it, to the point where I finally I said, I want to make this film myself '. That was the beginning. I got into it because I am responsible enough to take a call.
And is it true that you too are finally doing an item number?
It's a number all right. It's for Zoya's (Akhtar, director) film. With the kind of movies she makes, how item' can this item' number be? But it's my first performance number for sure. I am on stage and dancing for an audience. It has the required elements.
Udne Ki Aasha
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