"We were the underdogs" - Anushka Sharma
By Devansh Patel, December 16, 2010 - 12:10 IST
Ok Ok, I proposed Anushka Sharma for marriage. And so what if she hasn't said 'Yes'. The good news is that she hasn't said 'No' either. A bit of playfulness is required when you interview someone, and probably more if that someone is Anushka 'Shruti' Sharma. There's nothing more Indian than being a Mumbai-ite'. Except, maybe, hard-working, irrepressibly bubbly Anushka. Perhaps that's why her 'Delhi-ite' drama Band Baaja Baaraat took everyone by surprise last week. Sharma seems that rarest of creatures: a level-headed Bollywood young person who is more concerned about her roles than making it big in Mumbai, her current home. Creativity precedes over films for her and she really dips into her characters like the Dorito's get dipped in a hot Salsa. A perpetually busy actress, Anushka has Patiala House up for release early next year but I've already put in a word to the actress that she needs to start making or clearing some shelf space come the awards season before she embarks on yet another of her 'critically acclaimed' performances. UK's Harrow Observer columnist and Bollywood Hungama's London correspondent chats with the actress waiting for her flight to Delhi. What she doesn't know is that her film is making more noise in the theatres than the many descending and ascending planes at the airport.
"Band Baaja Baaraat proved a point"
What Band Baaja Baaraat proves is the fact that the audience is respectful of cinema and they want to watch good films. The film breaks the myth that only superstars make good cinema. I feel that a good film will make stars. The script is the most important here and I have, from day one stressed that it is the script of the film that is the real hero and nothing else. The audience has really made my faith stronger.
"Original and not inspired"
Before the movie came out, everyone compared our film to The Wedding Planners. We didn't raise a voice and a certain section of the media wrote negative things about the film too. Honestly speaking, we were the underdogs. But the day the film released, we knew our patience has paid off and our calmness has paid off.
"Better written role will always give out the best performance"
I am really happy that the new pairing has worked in everyone's favour. It's something that the audiences must've waited for a long time (laughs). We've been hearing from critics that after a long time they've seen a very good on-screen couple which I think is a huge compliment. It was Ranveer's first film and I was only two films old. I am so happy. But a good scripting has made our parts strong and I hope that such good parts are written for not just me, but every actor in our industry.
"Delhi as a character worked the best"
There were three main characters in Band Baaja Baaraat. That's what Maneesh would say each time we had a brief from him. They were Bittu, Shruti and Delhi. There is something Delhi about everything in the film. We have shot on actual locations and it wasn't easy. Delhi brought out the best in all of us because we all were young and were raring to prove a point, and we did, didn't we?
"Awards will come and go but I want good roles"
I had imagined I'd get all awards as a debutant in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (laughs). But that didn't happen and so I will now leave it to the panel of judges and the members of the particular awards ceremony to decide whether I will be eligible for Band Baaja Baaraat or not (laughs).
"My trust in Aditya Chopra"
One needs to be given that role. Aditya Chopra and Maneesh Sharma had that trust in me and gave me to play Shruti Kakkar. If people give me the opportunity to show my talent, I will. But not if I am not given one. Adi understands my range as an actor and is throwing me in different roles all the time and because of which I am not getting stereo-typed. I am looking forward to do more work and hope to get more such films like Band Baaja Baaraat.
"I charge what I think is my value in cinema"
After Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, a lot of offers came my way in terms of endorsements, events and films. I said no to a few because I wasn't running behind money. Money was never important when I was modelling and it isn't important for me now when I am doing films. I love acting and that's why I am here. I am a very straight forward person and when I say that money doesn't mean anything to me, it really doesn't. What I charge is always what I think is my value.
"I like to go beyond anyone's expectation"
Adi said that when he cast me for the role of Taani from Rab Ne, he thought that I would never be able to pull off something as good as that. But after Band Baaja Baaraat, he told me that I have proven him wrong. Adi Chopra for me is the ultimate person because he is my mentor. For me, if anything comes from him, it's a huge compliment and I hope I go beyond his expectations just like I have with this film.
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