In a scenario where most movie stars like to give out saccharine and predictable quotes, it’s refreshing to see someone like Anushka Sharma, who always speaks her mind. Not one to mince her words, she has a unique take on things, which shows in her choice of films and also the way she’s conducted herself in the press. In this freewheeling chat, she takes potshots at Indian media’s unabashed focus on her personal life and endless speculation about her marriage. She’s proud of her small-town roots and that level-headed approach to her career has kept her ahead of the B-Town curve. Over to the lady who never fails to throw you off-kilter...
On the personal front, are you and Virat Kohli back together?
I have nothing to say about it. I don’t want to talk about my personal life. I feel the Indian media doesn’t have the maturity to deal with it. They can’t understand when we are open about our relationships. I was open about my relationship, I spoke about it and I thought that would be respected, but it’s not. People don’t know what to do with it. In Hollywood, people don’t go on and on about two people dating each other. Here, everything is to be gossipped about — every little thing is being focussed on and analysed? The focus is completely taken away from my work. While I was in this relationship, I was doing the best work of my life. I was getting appreciation for the films I was doing then, but suddenly, it’s only about my relationship! I think it happens more with girls. There is more to us than who you are dating, what you are wearing... And what the hell is this obsession about marriage? Why are you trying to make it seem like I am packing my bags and going away after I get married? This whole thing about marriage is like she doesn’t want to work after she gets married. Why?
You are a young, eligible girl... People will ask. I am sure your parents might also ask you about marriage?
Not at all! Nobody would dare ask my family about my marriage. My parents are very progressive, though they come from a small town. It’s all in our minds. Nobody would even dare to ask me when my brother is getting married. And if they do, my parents say, ‘Unki life hai, jab unko karna hai woh karenge, humko kuch lena nahi hai unki shaadi se.’ And asking for grandchildren is such a selfish motive for getting married. I don’t understand this fascination and obsession with people’s marriages. When Rani Mukerji got married, nobody knew.
When do you plan to get married?
I want to get married ,of course. I would like to have a family. Even though I am an actor, I am a very simple and normal person and I have always maintained a simple life. I feel marriage will happen when it has to. I will get married when I am mentally ready for it. A marriage is not a joke. It’s not like ‘Oh shaadi hai toh karle!’ You have to be mentally ready to spend your life with another person. It’s not just about you, but about the other person also and then at that point you need to be ready to have a dual interest. Mentally, when I reach that stage, I will get married.
What would your reaction be if you were offered a film with Virat?
I don’t want to talk about it at all.
