Fresh from her recent hit, Band Baaja Baaraat, Anushka Sharma chats about her forthcoming biggie — Nikhil Advani’s Patiala House
Q How has life changed after the success of Band Baaja Baaraat?
After Band Baaja Baaraat, people are viewing me differently. I am being seen as a bankable actor. A lot of appreciation and good things are coming my way. I am feeling more comfortable now in the industry. I have received lots of compliments from everybody in the industry.
Q Has the feeling of being a star sunk in?
I still get scared. I will never say it myself … so I don’t know if I am a star.
Q The promos of your next film, Patiala House, seem to indicate that the film is about Akshay Kumar and his father, Rishi Kapoor. How important is your character in the film?
Yes, primarily, the film is about a son-father conflict and the generation gap. But my role is significant — my character is a catalyst who brings about change in the story. I play Simran, a hyper energetic girl who talks very fast. She is an ambitious go-getter who always follows her dreams and she encourages and motivates the hero to follow his dreams. What was most exciting for me about this role was the comic touch my character has. She talks about anything under the sun and jumps from one topic to another.
Also, I feel happy to be associated with a film that talks about a fact which remains true even today in our society — children are not allowed to do what they want to and are put under pressure.
Q Are you apprehensive because Nikhil Advani's last two films (Salaam-E-Ishq, Chandni Chowk To China) have not really worked.
You can’t think like this and then work on a film. I am only bothered about Patiala House. I don’t care about what they have done before. What matters is that Patiala House should be a hit.
I have seen Nikhil’s Kal Ho Naa Ho and Salaam-E-Ishq and I was very comfortable working with him. He lets you say what you want to. Nikhil is a very technically gifted director. He understands the craft and he understands cinema very well. That is his best asset.
Q Did you strike a rapport with your co-star Akshay Kumar?
Akshay is a very good co-star, very professional and super easy to work with. He comes to set on time, and does his work. He is a lot of fun on the sets; he keeps making you laugh all the time.