In December 2013, Anushka Sharma completed five years in the Indian film industry.
Anushka Sharma was born on 1 May 1988 to an army-based family in Bangalore. Her father is a highly ranked Army Officer and her mother is a housewife. She has one older brother who is in the Merchant Navy. From a young age, Anushka wanted to be a model. She began her modeling career at the Lakme Fashion Week.
She impressed audiences with her film debut in 2008 where she delivered a powerful performance equal to that of a seasoned actress. She has won numerous awards for her films since that time.
Here are five films featuring Anushka Sharma that you should see if you are new to Bollywood.
1. Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
English Title: "A Match Made by God"
Release Date: 12 December 2008
Director: Aditya Chopra
Music by: Salim-Sulaiman
Description: On the day of her wedding, Taani's (Anushka Sharma) whole life is turned upside down. In the aftermath, she agrees to marry Surinder Sahni (Shah Rukh Khan), her father's favorite student though she confesses she cannot love him. As she settles into domestic life in Amritsar, she joins a dance class and meets Raj Kapoor, who is the complete opposite of her husband but who allows her to experience life with a clean slate. The dance partners draw closer as they participate in a competition. Before she knows it, she has opened her heart to Raj.
Why I Love This Film: While films about dance classes bringing people together have been done before, this is definitely a unique presentation of such a story. The characters are all trying to do the right thing in their relationships and as they struggle, we admire their honesty in this story of loss, loyalty, and love.
"I started my career with YRF. Had they not chosen me for Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, I would not be an actor today. So there will always be that gratitude to them. Plus, they work with a lot of ethics, which is something I like and admire. It’s really important for me to work with people I respect and who respect me." - Anushka Sharma, BollywoodLife.com.
Recognition: Won, Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Award for Best Female Debut.
2. Badmaash Company
English Title: "Rogue Company"
Release Date: 7 May 2010
Director: Parmeet Sethi
Music by: Pritam | Background score: Julius Packiam
Description: Crime comedy. In 1994 Bombay (now Mumbai), Karan (Shahid Kapoor), Tenzing a.k.a. "Zing"(Meiyang Chаng), Chandu (Vir Das), and Bulbul (Anushka Sharma) take advantage of a free trip to Bangkok by helping a smuggler buy and bring merchandise into the country without having to pay the 120% import duty. Karan comes up with a way to game the system even further and they manage to start a successful building on this scheme.
Why I Love This Film: The clever plot twists and interesting storyline makes keeps you wondering what will happen next. You see the rise and fall of these characters and friendships as they learn that getting everything you want is not the same as having everything you need.
"Bulbul is extremely different from Taani. I really like Bulbul because she is very straight forward and is totally non pretentious. She is unapologetic and quite sorted out in head at such a young age. She is an independent girl and knows what she wants in life." -Anushka Sharma, One India Entertainment.
3. Band Baaja Baaraat
English Title: "Bands Horns and Revelry"
Release Date: 10 December 2010
Director: Maneesh Sharma
Music by: Salim-Sulaiman
Description: Romantic comedy. In order to avoid leaving the big city to go and farm sugar cane, flamboyant Bittoo Sharma (Ranveer Singh) helps Shruti Kakkar (Anushka Sharma) set up her wedding planning business - "Shaadi Mubarak" ("Happy Wedding"). When they have a falling-out after a romantic encounter, they each try to carry on on their own but soon realize how much they rely each other's unique skills, friendship, and love.
Why I Love This Film: It is wonderful seeing Bittoo and Shruti become partners then good friends. They clearly enjoy each other's company and that joy spills over into their work and the weddings they plan. When they cross the line of friendship, they struggle with their next steps as they tread on unfamiliar and uncomfortable ground.
"As far as Band Baaja Baaraat (BBB) goes, we never expected it to be such a huge hit. People appreciated my work in the film, but it wasn't a one man show. It was a team work. Jab hum bana rahe the iss film ko, energies were real good. It was a young team and everybody was there to prove themselves. I don't think a filmmaker can make a film with a mindset that it's going to be a blockbuster. You just make films with a clean heart and because you're in love with the script and the characters and that's how BBB was created." - Anushka Sharma, ShaadiTimes.com
Recognition: Won, International Indian Film Award for Best Actress and Hottest Pair (along with Ranveer Singh); Won, Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role; Won, Lions Gold Award for Favorite Jodi (along with Ranveer Singh).
4. Jab Tak Hai Jaan
English Title:"As Long as I Live" or "Until I Breathe My Last Breath"
Release Date: 13 November 2012
Director: Yash Chopra (his last film)
Music by: A.R. Rahman
Description: Irrepressible Akira (Anushka Sharma) is an aspiring Discovery Channel filmmaker. She learns of Indian bomb disposal expert Major Samar Anand (Shah Rukh Khan) - "the man who cannot die" - and decides to do a documentary about him. Along the way, she falls in love but realizes that he hasn't let go of a long lost love from his past.
Why I Love This Film: When Major Samar Anand comments that Akira is a lot tougher than she looks, she gives him a litany of accomplishments and tells him "basically I'm Super Girl". Akira is fun, fearless, and full of life. Akira pursues her dreams with a passion and inspires those she meets along the way. While she may not be able to make Major Samar Anand fall romantically in love with her, she brings out the best in him.
"I think as far as my character was concerned it required me to be physically fit not just by appearance but actually physically fit as my character is outdoorsi and very adventurous. She is documentary filmmaker and going to places like Ladakh and Kashmir. Since the oxygen level is low there so it could take a toll on you and that's the reason I had to be physically fit." - Anushka Sharma, glamsham.com.
Recognition: Won, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress; Won, Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female); Won, Stardust Award for Best Comedy/Romance Actress; Won, IIFA Award for Best Supporting Actress
5. Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola
Release Date: 11 January 2013
Director: Vishal Bhardwaj
Music by: Vishal Bhardwaj
Description: Political satire/dark comedy. After completing her education at Oxford University, Bijlee (Anushka Sharma) returns to the rustic village in Haryana where her rich industrialist father Harry Mandola (Pankaj Kapur) has been causing problems for the villagers. While Bijlee plans to marry a college classmate, Mandola's "Man Friday" Matru (Imran Khan) is busy trying to thwart her father's plans to build a factory against the wishes of the local farming community - and both are trying to deal with Mandola's drinking problem.
Why I Love This Film: The relationships between our three main characters - Harry, Bijlee, and Matru - are complex and ever changing throughout the film. Each of them wants different things from life which forces them to face different struggles on their own. They find strength when they come together and begin fighting for the same goals. Watching our characters get to that point is a fascinating and entertaining journey. And then there is the pink cow ...
"I play a strong headed, outspoken girl in the film. My character Bijlee is a rich, spoilt brat and is allowed to run wild in her village, which is practically owned by her millionaire father – Harry Mandola, played by Pankaj Kapur. She is educated in the world’s best college and has travelled the world." - Anushka Sharma, BollywoodLife.com.
Not sure which film to watch first? View the trailers, below, for these five films featuring Anushka Sharma.
If you enjoyed this, visit our other Friday Five posts.