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EXCLUSIVE: Anushka Sharma: As an actor I am very secure and not scared to take up uncharted territory
In an EXCLUSIVE chat with Pinkvilla, Anushka Sharma opened up about her choices, what does box office success mean to her, collaborating with Varun Dhawan and nepotism.
Anushka Sharma is more than a Bollywood star, she is a producer, a credible actor and someone who continues to challenge the norm with her unconventional choices. The best part about her is that she is a confident woman and is aware of her strengths and weaknesses. Fresh out of the success of Sui Dhaaga: Made in India, a movie where she collaborated with Varun Dhawan for the first time, Anushka will next be seen in Zero, alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif. In an EXCLUSIVE chat with Pinkvilla, Anushka opened up about her choices, what does box office success mean to her, collaborating with Varun and nepotism.
What's your mind space with Sui Dhaaga doing well and Zero as the forthcoming film?
For me, what happens with success is that I don't feel like a sense of 'oh, I have become successful so I will suddenly feel happier than I was feeling before. No.' I just feel calmer because the kind of success I have had with the unconventional choices, I think there is a sense of relief and you feel like your choices have been validated because my choices have been very different. People said things like you are playing Mamta which is so simple and non glamorous, will that be accepted by people and when such film does well, the kind of number it made and the kind of appreciation we got, is what I wanted. As an actor, I think we need to just redefine ourselves and challenge yourself. Every time I come on screen, I want people to see a different character, different person and that has been my endeavour.
Where do you get reference from for your characters? What is your process like?
I think as an actor, we are generally very observant. You are constantly observing people and I ask a lot of questions to someone whom I find very interesting and whom I feel their story might be very interesting. I ask questions to an extend that they might feel why is she asking so many questions but I do. When I am travelling, I am never on my phone, I am usually just observing people. Even while watching a show or a movie, I tend to get into how this person's character is. So I think those things have really helped me so inherently that helps me get into the skin of the character also, we do a lot of research and work on it. Like for example, with Mamta, I had to suppress a lot of Anushka which did not hold true for Mamta.
Regarding Sui Dhaaga, what do you think clicked with the audience?
I think what clicks with the audience are the emotions. I think the story is about every Indian, it is about a struggles of a couple to having nothing to finding a place for themselves in the society and that is something people relate to.
Sui Dhaaga also had a subdued romance element. Did you as Anushka connect with Mamta at any point?
I don't think there is so much of romance in the film. It is a very different kind of romance, not the one we know and have seen. I think their romance is very practical, it is there in their support and respect for each other. I think which is what is beautiful. In the scene where she starts crying when they share their first meal, it is so beautiful yet there is so much sadness in it because they were a couple who have been married for a couple of years and hadn't shared a single meal. What kind of a life were they leading? While there are couples who are going around having coffee, holding hands, there are also couple who have never had a meal together, it is kind of heartbreaking as well. At the same time, Sharat treated it in a comedic way. But you learn how two people learn to respect, support one another and that is actually true love.
Why did it take such a long time for you to pair up with Varun Dhawan onscreen?
The thing is we were offered a film before this too which was also offered by Sharat Kataria but both of us decided not to do because it wasn't really as strong a script as this one was. So I think Varun and me were always two people a lot of people wanted to see together, but it takes a film like this and I know it is surprising that Varun and I did a film like this when we could have done a commercial movie which has songs and dance. But it is incredible that we did such a film together wherein the characters made place in people's heart. This is a film we both were very convinced and passionate about and that is what is most important I think.
What do you look for in the script when you say yes to it?
It is different for different films. Like in Sui Dhaaga, the aspect of dignity of labour was something which really excited me. When you ridicule someone's basic right as a human being that it affects them so much that they turn it into this successful entrepreneur. For me, that made the film so special. Every film you do is for a different reason. I think the power of cinema is such that we can reach out to so many people and make them think of so many things.
Did you see the memes that had surfaced the web as soon as the trailer released? What was your favourite one?
I really liked the Mario one. I was very happy about it while I found the meme very entertaining and all, in reality when the meme scene came, the same people who were laughing at that, were crying at it. That was a big victory for me.
Do you think you are in a better space professionally with the kind of projects you have in the pipeline?
I do think so. As an producer and as an actor, I think I have made some choices which have not been conventional and that has worked so that makes me feel empowered and emboldens me to make the choices I am making. So, I do think I am in a good space and very secure as an actor today because I don't get scared about taking up uncharted territory.
What drives you to work everyday amidst all the negativity and pressure?
There is a lot at stake and so you cannot not go. So you keep the negativity away and focus on your work because ultimately it is your work that speaks the loudest. I have always let my work speak for me and I continue to do so. I am just happy that I have the opportunity to do such works and manage to get appreciation as well for it. So, I think I am in a good spot.
Given that nepotism continues to be a burning issue. Did you ever had your relatives come to you asking for a break given that you have become a big star today?
No, it has never happened. I think in my family all of them are very much inclined to studies, all my cousins are doctors and lawyers and are working at good places so I don't think anyone is interested. I do suspect two people who are little kids but I think at that age people do have such thoughts, but in my family mostly people give too much importance to academics.
How do you handle stardom today?
There is nothing to handle in stardom. You are happy to oblige a fan with selfies. I don't think anyone really cares how you are feeling inside and you don't need to make them a part of it as well so if they are asking for a selfie then give it.
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