When Anushka Sharma made her debut in 2008 in Aditya Chopra’s directorial Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, most thought she was lucky considering she got to work with superstar Shah Rukh Khan in her debut film, that too as a YRF heroine. But most were sure she would be overshadowed by SRK in every frame. Anushka, a 20-year-old back then, not only managed to hold her own in front SRK’s towering star status but even managed to impress critics with her performance as Taani.
Eight years on, Anushka Sharma, is one of the most successful actresses of Bollywood. Not only has she worked in hugely successful big banner films but has also done smaller films with relatively new filmmakers. Known for playing strong characters on screen, the actress has carved a niche of her own in an industry where most actresses just end up being the glam quotient of a big-budget film.
It's been eight years since Anushka Sharma made her debut in Bollywood. Here is a look at 8 films which have made her the star that she is.
Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi: Matching up to SRK in one’s debut film is a not an easy task. But Anushka Sharma played Taani quite effortlessly, a vivacious girl who loves Bollywood and dancing but becomes a reserved, depressed girl due to an incident. The story may have had its flaws, but Anushka’s performance as the confused, troubled Taani was perfect.
Band Baaja Baaraat: Manish Sharma’s film released 6 years back, but till date, the film remains a favourite amongst the youth for its fresh story and the charming lead pair. Paired opposite Ranveer Singh who made his debut in the film, Anushka literally was the only ‘star’ of the film and carried the story forward beautifully. Anushka played the feisty, ambitious Shruti Kakkar to perfection, who knows what she wants to do professionally and for whom love can wait.
Jab Tak Hai Jaan: Though the film was about Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif’s love story, but Anushka’s performance stood out. Her character Akira brought vibrancy to a love story which just kept going and forth unnecessarily. Anushka played a filmmaker who meets Army man SRK in Ladakh and falls head over heels for him.
Matru Ki Bijli Ka Mandola: A dark comedy by Vishal Bhardwaj, the film had Anushka playing Bijli the girl who suffers from ‘Meena Kumari Complex’ and rebels against her capitalist father to fight for the peasants of the village she belongs to. The film’s plot was a complex one and though nicely cushioned with humour- the film highlighted the oppression of the peasants in the hands of the landlord.
PK: Anushka Sharma played a journalist in the film who with the help of an alien PK(Aamir Khan) exposes the real face of god-men. A film that beautifully highlighted India’s obsession with superstitions and unnecessary rituals in the name of religion, the film was blockbuster hit. Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, the film catapulted Anushka in the big league.
NH10: Anushka’s debut film as a producer is by her her best film as an actress. A corporate high-flying couple accidentally witness an honour killing in the middle of Haryana highway and then absolute mayhem occurs in their lives. Eerie, dark, compelling NH10 had Anushka as the only star and as the central character she completely outshined everyone in the film. The film challenged the patriarchal society and gave a strong message against honour killing. NH10 also highlighted that Anushka Sharma as a producer was willing to take risks and back unconventional stories.
Dil Dhadakne Do: Its easy to get lost in a film which a gamut of stars – all of them known for their acting caliber. But Anushka stood her own. Zoya Akhtar’s film may have been a story of the dysfunctional Mehra family, but Anushka’s character Farah Ali proved to be an important catalyst to the family coming together. It also helped that the film reunited Ranveer and Anushka again in a film together, and their crackling chemistry was hard to miss.
Sultan: Much has been debated about the sexist portrayal of Aarfa, an ambitious, feisty wrestler who gave everything up for domesticated life at the peak of her career and let her husband Sultan hog the limelight. But Anushka, who played Aarfa, defended her character stating that Aarfa gave up on her career out of choice, no one forced her to do. An important film in Anushka’s career as it was opposite Salman Khan, the film was the big hit of 2016.
Ae Dil Hai Mushkil: Karan Johar’s take on onesided love, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil had Anushka playing Alizeh, a spirited girl who doesn’t want her friendship with Ayaan to get spoilt because of dating. Anushka’s portrayal of the character struck a chord with one and all. She looked stunning in every frame and she dealt the transformation of Alizeh with maturity.
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