After the huge success of Baahubali -The Conclusion, Anushka Shetty is gearing up for another big release - the heroine-centric film Bhaagamathie. The soft-spoken actress, who has shed several kilos, was in the city in stunning new looks for the film’s promo. In a candid chat with DC, she shares how her character of Sanjana, an IAS officer in Bhaagamathie, was the most challenging one to pull off. She also clarified on rumours linking her with her Baahubali co-star Prabhas and what awards mean to her.
“Some people have misconstrued Bhaagamathie as a ghost movie with a reincarnation theme. But it is not. She is a fictitious character in a contemporary thriller and I play IAS officer Sanjana, one of the most thought-provoking characters I have done. There’s plenty of scope for performance and my thanks to director Ashok garu who waited for me with the script from 2102 (smiles).” She also denies doing a dual role in the film. “I am not playing a double role, but the character has many dimensions to her.”
Responding to a question on whether she is trying to capitalise now on being offered many female centric subjects in films, she said, “No! Never! Basically cinema is a visual medium where stories need to be told. Filmmakers are here to tell good stories. Given a good story, the audience is ready to lap it up irrespective of who is featured in it. That way for me, Arundhati opened up the market for heroine-centric movies. I like listening to stories and if something in them is striking, I accept them.”
Recalling her early days in films, she says, “For that matter, when I came to the industry I was so naïve and never used to listen to the story. Later, when Puri Jagganadh garu asked me one day ‘Don’t you want to know the story of the film in which you are acting? Please listen to the scripts’. And I took his advice seriously.”
Ask her how she felt when Baahubali didn’t fetch her a national award, pat came the reply from the Rudramadevi star, “I am not keen on National Awards. The kind of recognition and accolades the film got from people of India is the biggest award for me. I want to do good films and make audiences happy.”
Considering her stature in the industry, it was surprising when she revealed that she does not read newspapers, nor is she active on social media platforms. “I don’t subscribe to newspapers at home. I feel my capacity to take things on a day-to-day basis is only this much! As it is I’m quite stressed out and I don’t want add to it by reading disturbing new waking up in the morning. Some people have personality flaws and maybe I am one among them (laughs)”.
Who is your competitor, we ask. “I don’t consider anyone as my competitor. I compete with my own self.” Anushka goes on to say that she is a home bird.
“Whenever I get free time, I want to spend time at home and relax doing nothing. I am not a party person. I do have many family friends like Akkinenis, Chiranjeevis. And yes, I knew Rana even before he got into movies. I am Rana’s beloved brother. Besides, I’ve made some good friends at the yoga class.”
When quizzed if she would campaign for Rajinikanth when he stands in elections, she says, “First of all, knowing me well, Rajini sir won’t call me for such things. Moreover, I am not inclined towards politics also.”
When the topic of her alleged linkup and marriage with Prabhas came up, Anushka asserted, “We are just very good friends. And there’s nothing between Prabhas and me except friendship. We are definitely not getting married.”
